Norfolk Southern awards scholarships to railroaders' children

Norfolk Southern Railway yesterday announced the awardees of the Thoroughbred Scholars program, which provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to 100 children of NS employees.

The program will provide $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years, to full-time students pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited two- or four-year institution. The program received more than 500 applications, NS officials said in a press release.

Three students were also chosen to receive special awards of $10,000 each, renewable for up to four years. Those scholarships are:

• The HBCU Scholar, awarded to a student attending a historically black college or university. The winner is Ari Sneed of Snellville, Georgia, who studies at Tuskegee University;
• The STEM Scholar, awarded to a student pursuing a degree in a nonmedical science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The winner is Brody Greene of Beaver, Pennsylvania, who plans to study at the University of Wyoming; and
• The Community Scholar, awarded to a student who has distinguished themselves through community leadership and volunteer work. The winner is Mattie Vaughn of Gardendale, Alabama, who plans to study at Auburn University.

"We are putting our values into action with a program that recognizes the importance of a strong education and skill development," said NS President and CEO Alan Shaw. "We’re proud of these outstanding students and look forward to the great things they will achieve in their academic pursuits."

Ninety of the 100 scholarships are designated for children of the Class I's front-line field employees, such as conductors, engineers and mechanics. Scholarship recipients come from 16 states across the NS network.