People

Christopher Juez, a student in Palm Beach State College’s Diesel Technology program, is one of 12 students to receive a $2,500 scholarship from Federal-Mogul Motorparts, a global manufacturer of original equipment and aftermarket parts for light and commercial vehicles.

This is the second year that Federal-Mogul Motorparts has awarded its Automotive Technology Scholarship to qualified students nationwide who are studying to become professional automotive/diesel technicians.

“I didn’t think I would get it,” says Juez. “When I got the letter, I thought it was going to say ‘thank you for applying,’ but it said ‘congratulations’ and I jumped up with joy. I feel blessed. It will be a big help, for sure. It means I can cut back on my work hours and devote more time to my studies.”

Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Juez is already a graduate of PBSC’s Welding Technology program. Welding skills are valuable in the diesel field, and he enrolled as a way to use his time wisely until a slot opened up in the diesel program. Juez hopes to work in a truck dealership when he graduates next August and then build a career in the marine industry. He also wants to pursue PBSC’s Associate in Science degree in Industrial Management.

“I give Chris a lot of credit,” says instructor Charlie Johnson, who developed the Diesel Technology program 11 years ago. “Chris is an overachiever. He not only reads the daily assignments, he also reads ahead. Our class starts at 8 a.m., and he’ll be in my office at 7:30 to discuss what he’s read. That’s the very definition of self-motivation.”

Juez is going to keep an eye out for more scholarships and encourages others to do the same. “Teachers and advisors tell you to apply, but no one wants to because they think it’ll be a waste of time. But it’s not. Even if you don’t get it this time, you might the next time. It’s a good opportunity for everybody. My advice is to apply.”

Federal-Mogul Motorparts established the scholarship program in conjunction with its 2015 launch of Garage Gurus™, an online and onsite technical education platform to help professional technicians keep pace with the latest vehicle technologies. The company is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan and employs nearly 50,000 in 34 countries.