A Night in Victory Lane: Helping Students Cross the Finish Line
The Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Foundation held its first event, “A Night in Victory Lane: Helping Students Cross the Finish Line” on Sept. 14, 2009. Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Roger Penske, who hosted the reception, the event was held at the stunning Penske Racing Museum in Phoenix, which showcases an amazing collection of Penske winning Indy 500 race cars, NASCAR vehicles and Indy 500 pace cars. Bob Sweet, founder of UTI, former Indy car driver, Lyn St. James and racing legend, Bob Bondurant, were among the 120 executives who attended the event.
“The reception was truly a success, and it provided us the opportunity to thank our generous donors and to introduce the Foundation to key Phoenix business leaders,” said Veronica Meury, vice president and executive director of UTI Foundation. “Our guests learned the importance of the foundation’s top goals: providing financial support for students who wouldn’t otherwise be able to receive post-secondary education, and enhancing post-technical education support through a career development network.”
Highlights of the evening included Mr. Penske awarding the first “Roger Penske Outstanding Student Award” for $12,000 to Kenneth Mazurczak, a recent graduate of UTI Sacramento and student displays from the UTI Avondale and MMI Phoenix campuses. Rounding out the evening was a short video that focused on three UTI students who shared how UTI Foundation’s scholarships have helped them stay in school.
“Technical education and funding for students play a critical role in today’s economy, said Don Ableson, President and Chairman of the UTI Foundation. The Foundation works to help students get to school, stay and graduate. Over the past two years, the UTI Foundation awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships and has helped thousands of students receive an education to help them pursue their dreams, but many students need our help every day. Support for these students means support for America’s workforce and our economy.”
Since its creation in 2007, the UTI Foundation has earned significant support from both corporate and individual donors who recognize the importance of technical education.
- Individuals including Roger Penske, Kim and Chris McWaters and John and Lynn White have stepped forward with leadership gifts
- Corporations such as Nissan, Phillips Industries, Well Fargo and UTI contributed more that $1.5 million in scholarship and in-kind support to help students across all UTI, MMI and NTI campuses.
- Other friends such as the NASCAR Foundation, Bridgestone/Firestone and Toyota support designated scholarships for qualified/eligible students to help fill the funding gap between the cost of their education and decreasing federal funds.
Visit the UTI Foundation Web site www.utifoundation.net to learn more about UTI Foundation or how your support can make a difference in the livelihoods of students in need, contact Ms. Vern Meury, at 623-445-0933 or
vmeury@uticorp.com.
NASCAR Day Benefits the Student Pantry Thanks to the UTI Foundation
NASCAR Day 2009! For the second year, the NASCAR Foundation has joined with the UTI Foundation to support UTI students by agreeing to donate 50% of all the money raised from UTI campuses and alumni back to UTI Campus Student Pantries. Last year seven campuses participated by selling the $5 NASCAR Day pins and holding special fund raisers, raising over $3,000 for student support. Our goal for 2009 is $5,000!