Over the past four years, the 一本道app has awarded the Carl Tapp Technician Scholarship to students interested in pursuing a career as a medium and heavy-duty truck technician. Rick Tapp, the brother of the scholarship鈥檚 namesake, is retiring from PACCAR this year. In lieu of a physical token commemorating his career, he asked for donations to his brother鈥檚 scholarship fund. And his co-workers and business partners have answered the call en masse.
鈥淭hey asked what I would like from the company for a retirement gift,鈥� Tapp said. 鈥淚 said I didn鈥檛 want anything personally, but would appreciate contributions to the technician scholarship. My boss shared the request with the people I鈥檝e worked with over the past 19 years, and I have been overwhelmed by the support.鈥�
Over the past few weeks, Rick鈥檚 supporters have donated $2,550 to the scholarship in his honor. 鈥淣ot only do I appreciate the support, but so do the students who will benefit from this jumpstart to their careers, and the industry itself that needs more skilled technicians to keep us moving forward.鈥�
ATA鈥檚 Maintenance & Technology Council formed the Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund to encourage young bright minds to pursue a path to success as technicians in the trucking industry. Rick鈥檚 brother, Carl Tapp, was the Council鈥檚 first chairman and was known for recognizing and empowering talent in the next generation of technicians. 鈥淐arl meant so much to the industry and touched so many lives. By supporting technician students financially, we hope to honor his passion for recognizing and encouraging new talent in the field to make the workforce stronger and more sustainable,鈥� said Tapp鈥檚 colleague Kenneth Calhoun, fleet optimization manager at Altec.
For more information about the ATA Carl Tapp Technician Scholarship or to make a donation, visit聽arkansastrucking.com/tech-scholarship.
