Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has announced that three students will be the first to ever receive Cooper Centennial Scholarships. The new scholarship program began this year after being instituted in 2014 to commemorate Cooper’s 100th anniversary.
The goal of the program is to help the children of Cooper employees continue their post-secondary education with an emphasis on those who intend to pursue careers related to manufacturing. The annual scholarship is administered by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, an independent philanthropic agency that manages more than 350 funds including more than 100 scholarships. The three students, who were selected as winners from more than 30 total applicants nationwide, will each receive $1,000 awards to continue their studies.
The recipients are:
* Alexandria Magyar — Alexandria is the 18-year-old daughter of Mickey Thompson Regional Marketing Manager James Magyar and his wife Teresa. She is a graduate of Chippewa High School in Doylestown, Ohio, and was this year’s valedictorian. Alexandria plans to attend the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, to study biology. In addition to her studies, Alexandria was active in dance, involved in helping the Lions Club and volunteered at the Humane Society in her local community.
* Garrett Schrum — Garrett is the 17-year-old son of Frank Schrum, energy manager for Cooper Tire’s manufacturing operations in North America, and his wife Marilyn. He is a graduate of Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio, and plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to his studies, Garrett participated in multiple sports including soccer, and was active in his church youth group as well as participating in the Appalachian service project.
* Adam Seitz — Adam is the 18-year-old son of Cooper Senior Systems Developer Jill Seitz and her husband David. He is a graduate of Findlay High School in Findlay, Ohio, and plans to pursue a double major in electrical engineering and computer science at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. In addition to his studies, Adam played tennis, was a member of the symphony orchestra and played for the University of Findlay string orchestra. He was also active in his church and is an Eagle Scout.
“We are extremely proud of this group of students as the first ever to win the Cooper Centennial Scholarship,” said Cooper Chairman, CEO and President Roy Armes. “Each of these students is exemplary in their studies, earning grade point averages well over 4.0, and each submitted outstanding essays regarding the importance of manufacturing in the global economy. In addition, each of them participated in extracurricular activities and helped in their communities. We had many qualified applicants on a national basis, and after narrowing the field, the independent committee that selects the winners had the difficult task of naming just three to receive our inaugural scholarships. Congratulations to all of the excellent students who applied, and best wishes to the three winners as they pursue their studies at the next level.”
