Augusta Technical College introduces new scholarship for construction trades

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Augusta Technical College announced the Robert Fields Annual Scholarship has been created to benefit students pursuing instruction in various construction-related fields.

In a press release sent Monday, Augusta Tech said the scholarship was founded in Fields’ memory by his cousin, Ms. Adrian Arnold of Sacramento, California. Fields, who died in 2011, lived in the CSRA and many of his family members still reside in the area.

A surprise party was held to introduce the creation of the scholarship on Dec. 5.

“My cousin, Robert A. Fields, was dedicated to a lifetime of improving himself and those around him,” Ms. Arnold said. “As an honor to his mother, Ms. Elease Harris, I chose to financially support the construction trades students at Augusta Tech. Prayerfully, these resources will be used to assist many in improving their educational endeavors in her son’s name.”

According to the college, the scholarship will be administered by the Augusta Tech Foundation, an independent 501(c)3 organization that works to raise and appropriate philanthropic resources to support workforce education.

Arnold who is originally from Augusta, said she admires Augusta Technical College for its commitment to students and the community.

“We are delighted to help Ms. Arnold honor her cousin with this new scholarship,” said Cheryl Ciucevich, Augusta Tech’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “Although our tuition and fees are much lower than other colleges in the area, most of our students face financial barriers to accessing good-paying, sustainable careers. Scholarships like the Fields Scholarship ensure that more people in our community will be able to achieve their goals.”