Laurel Ridge Educational Foundation again receives generous contribution from Axalta to support STEM education

In support of the STEM education Laurel Ridge Community College provides to area students, the Axalta Coating Systems manufacturing center in Front Royal recently donated $20,000 to the Laurel Ridge Educational Foundation as a continuation of the Axalta Bright Futures Scholarship first established locally in 2021 with a $40,000 gift. Axalta’s Front Royal plant mainly manufactures car paint for auto repair centers.

The donation will benefit student scholarships, as well as the Building the Future Fund in support of skilled trades education on Laurel Ridge’s Middletown Campus, said development officer Andy Gyurisin.

“It has been an honor to work with Axalta Coating Systems, one of Warren County’s leaders in manufacturing, to develop the Axalta Bright Futures Scholarship in 2021,” he said. “Seeing them invest in our Laurel Ridge Community College students a second year only underscores their dedication to developing future leaders and economic success within our community.”

When it comes to the scholarships, preference is given to students who live in Warren County, are employed by the company or have parents employed there, to students enrolled in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) programs, and to first-generation students.

Axalta is committed to furthering STEM and vocational education, as well as the health, safety, and environment in its communities. The company, which also produces coatings for a wide range of industrial applications; light and commercial vehicle coatings; and refinish surface preparation and coating systems for autobody shops, has more than 100,000 customers across more than 140 countries.

“We are supporting Laurel Ridge because of their academic investments in STEM, which is helping to support the future leaders in our industry and beyond,” said Jessica McDuell, Axalta’s director of external communications. “Laurel Ridge is close to one of Axalta’s manufacturing centers, Front Royal, which allows for networking, internship opportunities, and other interactions between the college and the company.

“For our more scientific roles, an array of STEM degrees is helpful, including engineering, chemistry, computer science, and information technology.”

Axalta employs 1,300 scientists, engineers around the globe, and other technical experts and has four major research and development centers.

Learn more about scholarship opportunities or how your gift can help a student in need at laurelridge.edu.