The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) has awarded academic scholarships to four minority students to attend the Environmental Resource Training Center (ERTC) of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE). MSD teamed up with SIUE to give minority students within the District’s service area the opportunity to attend the ERTC Water Quality Control Operations Program.
MSD received more than 100 inquiries about the scholarships when the opportunity was first announced. A total of six applicants completed the application process and four were selected to receive the first annual minority scholarship.
The recipients are:
o Ralph Terrell Hamilton, St Louis, MO (not pictured)
o Moriano Lardge, St. Louis, MO
o Lloyd James Huggans, St. Louis, MO
o Ryan Klocker, Ferguson, MO
The scholarship will provide $3,500 toward each recipient’s tuition and fees to attend the ERTC Water Quality Control Operations Program for the 2015-2016 school year. The ERTC program emphasizes practical training in drinking water and wastewater treatment. During the 11-month program, students will get hands-on experience in labs and treatment shops, and will complete a work-study internship at a treatment plant and water facility. Upon completion of the program students will be certified for employment opportunities as drinking water or wastewater treatment system operators within the region.