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Historical Highlights


HENRY L. SHEFFIELD MTC FIRE ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Henry L. Sheffield (65), Director of Manatee Technical College Academy Fire Academy, passed away on December 12, 2019. A 47-year veteran of the Florida Fire Service, Henry started at Lakeland Fire Department then moved to Braden River Fire Rescue (currently East Manatee Fire Rescue). Upon his retirement he went to work at the State Fire College Division of Standards and Training in Ocala. From Ocala Henry moved on to Manatee Technical College Fire Academy where he remained its director until his passing.

In honor of Henry's dedication to the fire services and the students, MTC Fire Academy is establishing the Henry L. Sheffield MTC Fire Academy Scholarship Fund for deserving students training in the MTC Fire Academy.
To honor Henry Sheffield, please forward checks, made payable to MTC Foundation with the notation Henry Sheffield Scholarship to:

MTC Foundation
PO Box 15239
Bradenton, FL 34280

Your generosity will be acknowledged When received.

 Donor Acknowledgments  

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Donor Len Brzozowski is flanked by MTC Foundation Chair John Ziemnicki and Vice chair Anthony Gagliano
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Tuition Grant recipient Taylor Murray stands between her Bealls Fund benefactors Beverly Beall and PK Isinger

Foundation Presents Laptop

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Foundation Presents Laptop
Foundation Chair John Ziemnicki (left) presents a laptop computer to high school student Jessica Gonzalez as MTC Networking Services Program Instructor Joel Hall (right) looks on. This presentation was made possible through the Computer Redistribution Program within the Manatee County School District and is administered by the MTC Foundation. Thus far, nearly 100 students have received computers through this program. Used computers from the School District are donated to the Foundation, refurbished by MTC Networking Service Program students as part of their training, and then redistributed to underserved students within the District. To date some 50 students have benefited from this program.

RECENT MTC SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

​Three recent recipients of MTC Scholarships express their gratitude for the opportunity to ensure their future success to benefit themselves, their families and the community.
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Ireland Collins, Student, MTC Fire Academy
 “I had no idea I was receiving this scholarship. It will help me greatly because I will be able to complete the Fire Academy and begin a rewarding career as a firefighter.”

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Aubrie Borden, Student, MTC Cosmetology Program
“ Receiving this scholarship was a big deal for me. It gave me the opportunity to go after my goal of becoming a hair stylist. I’m extremely happy.
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Dennis Quech, Student, MTC Automotive Program
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 “This scholarship gave me the opportunity to succeed in my career and I am grateful.”

​Appreciation from our newest grant recipients!

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Taylor Murray receives her tuition grant from MTC Executive Director Virginia Sirocky
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Hilda Marina and Vanessa Garcia are pleased to have received a tuition grant from MTC Foundation

​John Ziemnicki Named Volunteer of Year
Honored by Manatee Technical College Alumni Association

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John Zimenicki is honored as Manatee Tech Alumni Association's Volunteer of the Year by MTC AA President Anthony Gagliano and MTC AA and Foundation Executive Director Virginia Sirocky

​For nearly 30 years John Ziemnicki, principal architect and owner of World Design, Inc., has volunteered to help guarantee that Manatee County continues to have a highly-skilled workforce through his unselfish dedication to Manatee Technical College.

During these years Mr. Ziemnicki has served on and as Chairman of the MTC Drafting Advisory Board.

Mr. Ziemnicki has entered his ninth year as Chair of the MTC Board of Governors of which he has been a member for 13 years.

He is also in his seventh year as chair of the Manatee Technical College Foundation which he helped to create in 2002. MTCF, a separate 501(c)(3) organization, has as its sole purpose to acquire resources in order to help MTC achieve its mission. Most notably, the Foundation grants scholarships to MTC students for tuition, books, uniforms, lab fees and classroom supplies.

 Earning a bachelor’s degree from the School of Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mr. Ziemnicki holds a National Council of Architecture Review Board certificate. He is a 28-year member of the American Institute of Architects and a seven-year member of the Manatee Architects Association. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Mr. Ziemnicki served during the Cold War and in Vietnam.

The Manatee Technical College Alumni Association is proud to name Mr. John Ziemnicki as its Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
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Congratulations, John!

 Outstanding Business Partner Award

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MTC Foundation Chair John Ziemnicki accepts an Outstanding Business Partner Award from MTC Director Dr. Valerie Viands during the October 17 MTC Advisory Board dinner. The Foundation was lauded for its fund-raising efforts which provides tuition, books, uniforms and lab fees to many deserving students as well as equipment and supplies to MTC programs. Since 2012 MTC Foundation has awarded scholarships to 185 students and program grants totaling $315,659.44. MTC is a separate, stand-alone nonprofit organization.


MTC Foundation Recognized for Investing in the Future

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On July 31, 2021, Manatee Technical College Foundation was publicly recognized by the Pittsburgh Pirates/Bradenton Marauders prior to the Marauders-Dunedin Blue Jays baseball game at LECOM Field in Bradenton.

MTC Foundation presented a scholarship in the amount of $2000 to Anthony Ardizone to enable his final certification in the Manatee Technical College Welding Program.

Making the presentation is the chairman of the MTC Foundation Board of Directors John Ziemnicki. Joining them are Gary Martin, MTC Welding Program Director; Jay Lloyd, MTC Welding Program Instructor; and Virginia Sirocky, MTC Foundation Executive Director.

MTC Foundation is pleased to invest in the future of this student, his family and the community. Speaking of his family, two weeks prior to this event Anthony became a first-time father upon the birth of his daughter, Isabelle.

Mission of the Manatee Technical College Foundation is to identify and obtain the resources to support the students, programs and other constituents of the Manatee Technical College.

MTC Foundation, 6305 State Road 70 East, Bradenton, FL 34203 
​Mailing address: P.O. Box 15239, Bradenton, FL 34280

ManateeTechFoundation@gmail.com
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