FROM STAFF REPORTS

Clay Stewart of Vincent has been awarded a scholarship by Thompson Tractor to pursue an associate’s degree as a Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician at South Georgia Technical College in Americus, Georgia. Stewart has been accepted in the College’s Southeastern Caterpillar Dealers College of Technology for the fall semester.

Stewart graduated in 2016 from Coosa Valley Academy with an advanced diploma.  He was a member of Beta Club, and Voices of the Past living history group. After graduating high school, he attended Central Alabama Community College and earned his associated degree in industrial maintenance/electronics.  He is currently employed by Alabama Power Fleet Services summer help.  Stewart is the son of Mark and Julie Stewart of Vincent.

The Southeastern Caterpillar Dealers College of Technology was established in 2001 by the joining of resources from Caterpillar dealers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. The degree program consists of eight weeks of intensive study of electric power generation, heavy equipment technology, fundamentals of mechanical, electronic and hydraulic application, alternating with eight weeks of practical experience working in Thompson Tractor’s shops to reinforce what was learned during the class and lab training.  This alternating continues through the time required to earn a degree. Stewart will be performing his internship at Thompson’s Birmingham Branch.

Thompson Tractor is the Caterpillar Dealer for Alabama and the Western Panhandle of Florida.  Thompson sells and services Caterpillar machines, engines and lift trucks.

The Associates Degree program is part of the Caterpillar THINK BIG program, receiving technical support from Caterpillar, the world’s largest manufacturer of heavy equipment.

The scholarship and related work cycles is worth more than $35,000.00.