Rexroth awards first recipient of the Bosch Rexroth Endowed Scholarship

October 4, 2019

Tom Vasavong, an Electronics Engineering student, was recently selected for the Bosch Rexroth Endowed Scholarship at Greenville Technical College. With more than 40 other students considered, Vasavong was selected for his determination to complete his degree. He has been attending Greenville Tech since 2009, taking as many credit hours as he could while working and is now scheduled to graduate in May 2020. He also has an outstanding GPA and is dedicated to his studies.

Vasavong and his wife are proud parents of a nine-month-old daughter. In addition to parenting and attending school, he works 20-30 hours a week. In his words, “my scholarship award means everything to me and my young family. It enables me to continue to pursue my goal of achieving a career in Advanced Manufacturing Management or Engineering Technology Management.”

The Bosch Endowed Scholarship Fund through the Greenville Tech Foundation was established on November 1, 2018. It was created to honor retired employee Ken Hank, formerly executive vice president sales, mobile applications and executive board member of Bosch Rexroth Corporation. Hank was instrumental in the development and growth of Rexroth in the United States during his 42 years of service.

The endowed scholarship symbolizes the longstanding commitment that the Bosch Company has, as a global leader in advanced manufacturing, of supporting the education and growth of individuals, strengthening communities and the industry.

Bosch Rexroth has supported Greenville Technical College, the Greenville Tech Foundation, and students in many other ways. In addition to the funds for the endowed scholarship, the company has donated training equipment, including a mobile hydraulics lab, to ensure that students are well prepared for the workforce. As the college worked to open its Center for Manufacturing Innovation and to offer a bachelor’s degree in advanced manufacturing technology, Bosch Rexroth has been one of Greenville Tech’s strongest partners, helping the college gain support to move forward with these innovative endeavors. Mike McCormick, vice president and technical plant manager with Bosch Rexroth in Fountain Inn, has been nominated to join the Greenville Tech Foundation Board for a three-year term beginning in 2020. Bosch Rexroth was also selected as the 2018 Workforce Development Salute honoree by the Greenville Tech Foundation.