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GRDA, MAIP announce technical careers scholarship

Oct 19, 2020

GRDA President/CEO Dan Sullivan (far left) and MidAmerica Industrial Park Director of Workforce Development Scott Fry (far right) pose with Alex, Erin, Justin and Karla Howe, the family of the late Steve Howe. A 28-year GRDA employee, Howe passed away in July after a courageous battle against ALS. At the October meeting of the GRDA Board of Directors meeting, GRDA and MAIP honored his memory by establishing a scholarship for students pursuing technical career paths.

The Grand River Dam Authority and MidAmerica Industrial Park (MAIP) recognized the legacy and contributions of longtime GRDA employee Steve Howe at the October 14 meeting of the GRDA Board of Directors. Howe, a 28-year GRDA employee who served as the Technical Superintendent over I&C/Electrical at the Grand River Energy Center (GREC), passed away in July after a long and courageous battle with ALS.

The GRDA Board approved a resolution honoring the legacy of Howe, who spent his entire GRDA career at the GREC. GRDA President/CEO Dan Sullivan noted that even as he faced physical struggles, Howe continued to work and battled his disease with courage and integrity.

“We are very appreciative of the opportunity to present this resolution to you and to be able to recognize the memory of Steve,” Sullivan told Howe’s family, in attendance at the meeting. “His dedication to his family and GRDA is an inspiration to us all.”

Howe’s passion for educating tomorrow’s workforce also led him to give generously of his time outside of work. He had also served as both an adjunct instrumentation instructor at a local technical college and a lead mentor for the Mayes County FIRST Robotics team, since its formation in 2015.

During the meeting, Sullivan and MAIP Director of Workforce Development Scott Fry, also announced that their respective organizations were establishing a scholarship to honor Howe’s work with the robotics program. Both organizations are giving $5,000 to establish the “Steve Howe Memorial Scholarship.” The annual scholarship will be awarded to students who participate in the Mayes County Robotics Team and plan to pursue a post-secondary education or career pathway.

“Steve gave a lot of his personal time serving the students in the robotics program,” said Fry.  “We are excited to establish a yearly scholarship that will preserve Steve’s legacy and provide financial resources for students who are moving down technical career pathways.”

Fry also announced that Howe had been named the recipient of MAIP’s 2020 Partner in Workforce Development award. Given annually to an individual who gives their time to promote education in technical and industrial occupations.