The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Cincinnati Chapter awarded nearly $6,000 in scholarships to four local students during its 2nd Annual Scholarship Luncheon held on National Public Transportation Career Day on Thursday, May 18.
Transportation industry professionals, leaders and COMTO Cincinnati members gathered in downtown Cincinnati to honor the four students who will use the scholarships, in addition to their skills and passion, to continue their education and help shape our region’s quality of life through transportation. The event was made possible thanks to sponsors First Transit, MV Transportation, Inc., Gillig, Cincinnati Metro, McCormick & Schmick’s and individual sponsor Derek Bauman.
COMTO National President and CEO A. Bradley Mims and Keynote Speaker Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, spoke about the importance of public transportation to the region and the importance of establishing an educated, skilled workforce.
University of Cincinnati student Pardlyida Mensah received the Mallory Humanitarian Scholarship, named in honor of William Mallory, a long-time local transportation advocate who served on the SORTA Board of Trustees. Pardlyida is a third-year Environmental Engineering major at the University of Cincinnati in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. She has plans to use her role in environmental engineering to reduce the industry’s footprint through technologies such as hybrid and electric buses.
The First Transit Achievement Scholarship, was awarded to Cora Weisenbach. Cora is a third-year undergraduate student in engineering at the University of Cincinnati with the passion to improve the city through effective, reliable public transportation.
Dyami Davis was awarded The MV Transportation Achievement Scholarship. Dyami is a senior at Walnut Hills High School and has plans to pursue an MBA in mechanical engineering after his undergraduate degree at Purdue University. Dyami wishes to contribute to the transportation industry through the design of low-emission engines to help preserve our planet.
Alexandria Barnes was awarded the Will Scott Scholarship, named in honor of the chapter’s founding member and longtime COMTO advocate. This scholarship is awarded to an active chapter member seeking to further his or her education or training. Alexandria is currently Development Project Associate for The Community Builders. She plans to use the scholarship to obtain her American Institute of Certified Planners Certification, and to further her work making sure that communities are planned with transportation needs in mind.
“Each COMTO scholarship recipient is dedicated to improving their communities and making a lasting impact in the transportation industry,” said COMTO Cincinnati President Brandy Jones. “COMTO is thrilled to have contributed to each student’s future academic achievement, ongoing training and leadership, and to their future roles in creating a stronger, better region through transportation. All of us at COMTO look forward to seeing the amazing things these students will contribute.”
