Wiregrass Tech Announces $10,000 Benjamin James Herron Memorial Scholarship for Public Safety Majors


June 19, 2012

Dr. Penelope Schmidt, Bill Slaughter, Dave and Teresa Herron Wiregrass Executive Director for Advancement Dr. Penelope Schmidt, Wiregrass Foundation South Chairman Bill Slaughter, Dave and Teresa Herron.
 

Valdosta, GA, - Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation South announces the establishment of the Benjamin James Herron Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is a $10,000 gift to the Foundation from Mr. and Mrs. Dave Herron in memory of their son, a Navy Corpsman/Combat Medic in the U.S. Naval Reserves.

Mr. Herron remembers the words of his son, “I want to make a difference, save lives, and help others.” Tragically, these words were stated right before he was taken from them in an unfortunate accident at the age of 22. Ben Herron was a graduate of the Emergency Medical Services program at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. His instructor Barbara Tucker remembers him as a “delightful student with an amazing ability to relate to other people. Ben worked hard in class, and took every opportunity to learn more about EMS so he could serve others to the best of his ability.”

After graduating from EMS, he began attending classes at Valdosta State University in Criminal Justice, and had applied to become a police officer with the Valdosta Police Department. “Although our son is gone, as a family, we want to continue his legacy to make a difference and help others as he would have done,” states his father.

The Benjamin James Herron Memorial Scholarship will award $1000 each year to a student enrolled full time in the EMS, Fire Science, or Criminal Justice program on Wiregrass Tech’s Valdosta Campus. Executive Director of Advancement, Dr. Penelope Schmidt, states that, “Ben Herron served his country well and was a dedicated student; his legacy will inspire our students for years to come.”

For more information on this scholarship or establishing one in memory or in honor of a loved one, contact Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation South at 229-293-6190. For information about enrolling at Wiregrass Tech, please visit www.wiregrass.edu/admissions.