Scholarships

Mark and Kathy Hofer are avid supporters of Mitchell Tech’s Power Line and Construction program. Mark has served on various electric cooperative boards for several years both on a local and national level. The Hofer’s have sponsored this scholarship since 2007 and created an endowed fund in 2014 to support the Power Line Scholarship and Wind Turbine Technology Scholarship. The Power Line award recipient will be selected by the SD Line Superintendents from applications provided by the Mitchell Technical College Foundation from those received during their Fall application period. The scholarship will be awarded at the beginning of the second semester each year and applied to the recipient’s account the same semester.

Power Line Construction & Maintenance

Applicant must be currently enrolled full-time as a student in the Power Line program at MTC Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or above Applicant/parent/guardian must be a member of a SD Electric Cooperative Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship

The endowment was established in 2012 by the family of former MTC Power Line instructor, Dennis Merchant. Merchant spent his entire working career in the power line industry and taught the Power Line Technology program at Mitchell Tech from 1974 to 1988. He and his wife Dorothy then made their business, Merchant Job Training and Safety Program, their priority. Merchant passed away in February, 2012. His family continues to run this business, now located in Brookings, SD. The scholarship will be announced in January each year and applied to the recipient’s account the Spring semester.

Power Line Construction & Maintenance

Applicant must be enrolled full-time in the MTI Power Line Construction and Maintenance program Applicant must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher Applicant must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (universal financial aid application form) Applicant must complete the MTI online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship

Cadden grew up in Rapid City and graduated from Stevens High School in 2011. He attended MTC and graduated from the Powerline program in 2014. Being Cadden was so full of life, he always pushed it to the limit. After graduating from MTC he worked for Forbes (previously Timberline) and later moved to Altitude. During his time at Forbes, he successfully completed his Journeyman courses from Northwest Lineman College. Cadden was the first employee from Forbes to complete the Journeyman courses and traveled extensively with work and loved it. Cadden at the age of 27 died unexpectedly of a heart condition in Gillette, Wyoming.

Power Line Construction & Maintenance

Applicant must be first year, full time in the Powerline program at MTC Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship. Applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

The scholarship endowment was established in 2014 by family, friends, co-workers and the Fallen Linemen Organization in memory of Brian Zambo. After graduating from Mitchell Tech in 2003, the Watertown native moved to California to pursue his career. After several years in California, he returned to South Dakota and accepted a position with Xcel Energy. Brian Zambo passed away December 31, 2013. The scholarship will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient’s account the Spring semester.

Power Line Construction & Maintenance

Applicant must be a first year full time student studying Power Line Construction & Maintenance Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship