Pictured (front row from left): Dr. Sean Alford, Aiken County Public School District superintendent; Dr. Susan Winsor, ATC president; Carol Johnson, SRNS president and CEO; Mary Commons, ATC Foundation director; Dr. Vinson Burdette, ATC vice president of enrollment management; (second row from left) 2015-16 Within Reach Scholarship recipients and first-year ATC students Bethany Lewis, Abby Camacho, and Katelynn Johnson.

AIKEN, S.C. – The management and operations contractor for the EM program at the Savannah River Site (SRS) is partnering with Aiken Technical College (ATC) to help students pay college debt.

   Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) presented ATC with a $50,000 donation to the Within Reach Scholarships program.

   “Savannah River Nuclear Solutions’ lead gift set the stage and sent a strong message to community corporations and individuals who chose to join in making an investment in Aiken Technical College and increase the educational attainment in Aiken County,” said ATC Foundation Director Mary Commons.

   Studies show that 60 percent of the working age population will need an associate degree or higher by 2025 to sustain U.S. economic growth and viability. About 33 percent of Aiken County’s population has an associate degree or higher, compared to 39 percent nationally.

   "Savannah River Nuclear Solutions is pleased to support this important program at ATC. These scholarships will directly impact the lives and future careers of high school students who are uncertain about pursuing higher education," SRNS President and CEO Carol Johnson said.

   Students without plans beyond high school are being identified by ATC and South Carolina public school officials.

   "We're looking out for our future as a business, and we need young people who have technical skills," Johnson said. "Our average age at the Savannah River Site is 51. So, if you look over the next 10 years, we'll be seeing our workforce change significantly.”

   SRNS has agreements with area technical schools to focus on workforce sustainability at SRS and EM’s Savannah River National Laboratory. The goal is to ensure graduates have skills in welding, maintenance, radiation control, general plant operations, and other areas so they are qualified to start working in the nuclear industry.

   "I feel like this scholarship and how they (SRNS) are donating so much for us is going to help greatly in the future," ATC freshman Katelynn Johnson said. "It's nice to know that I can go to school and further my education. Receiving this scholarship means so much to me."

   Students can apply for Within Reach Scholarships through March 1 after qualifying for financial aid. A minimum 2.5 grade point average is required.