Eric Kovacevich, a student in the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program, received a $5,300 mikeroweWORKS Foundation Work Ethic Scholarship. On May 24, 2017, Kovacevich was recognized at the Scholarship America National Dreams to Success Awards ceremony in Washington, DC. The event is an annual recognition celebration of the nation’s best student success initiatives.

The national scholarship is awarded annually to people getting trained for skilled jobs that are in demand. Kovacevich earned the scholarship after submitting a video to the foundation as part of its nomination process that illustrates his passion for making things. While in high school, the Mayville, Wisconsin native discovered laser engravers and how to operate a computer numerical control router, or CNC, during a student-run manufacturing project. He wanted to advance those experiences after high school to FVTC for more training and because of the college’s reputation for its graduates earning great careers.

The mikeroweWORKS Foundation is a nonprofit organization that rewards people with a passion to get trained for skilled jobs that actually exist. As CEO of the Foundation, Mike Rowe spends a significant amount of time speaking about the country’s dysfunctional relationship with work, highlighting the widening skills gap and challenging the persistent belief that a four-year degree is automatically the best path for most people.

Read more about Eric from the mikeroweWORKS Facebook page: