The Ogeechee Technical College Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the J.L. Petrea & Tony C. Petrea Endowed Scholarship, in the sum of $160,000 by Tony C. Petrea. The gift will be used to provide academic scholarships for Ogeechee Tech students pursuing a degree in an Industrial Technology field. Three scholarships will be awarded annually of a minimum of $2,000 each.
“I wanted to honor the memory of my father J.L. Petrea, and to promote the enrollment of students in critical need Industrial Technology program areas,” said Tony Petrea, a retired contractor and native of Savannah and Tybee Island, Georgia. “I am grateful to have this opportunity to endow a scholarship.”
Tony, the sixth of J.L. and Thelma Petrea’s nine children, worked alongside his father from his early teens until his father’s retirement. During that time, he not only learned the skills of a mason but also how to run a successful business as he continued operating J.L. Petrea Masonry. Eventually, opportunities arose for business expansion including a new partnership with Consolidated Services, a company specializing in residential and commercial construction projects throughout southeast Georgia. During this period, it became increasingly evident to Petrea that there were fewer skilled tradespeople available to hire.
“I have become concerned over the years that fewer people are going into the trades. Especially young people who may not realize what a rewarding vocation this can be, not only financially, but as a satisfying way of making a living and making a difference.”
Petrea hopes that he can inspire young students to follow the example his father set, “My father was a humble, self-taught tradesman, who developed exceptional skills in masonry construction. Setting a high standard for work quality and demonstrating empathy and kindness, he was well loved and respected by his clients, employees, peers and family.”
First preference for the J.L. Petrea & Tony C. Petrea Endowed Scholarship will be given to students pursuing an Industrial Technology program like Construction Technology, Air Conditioning Technology, Electrical & Industrial System Technology, and Welding & Joining Technology. Students pursuing Veterinary Technology will also be given consideration.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects on average over 150,000 job openings a year in construction over the next decade. The overall employment of construction laborers is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
“It is truly wonderful to see how the Petrea family has built a lasting legacy throughout southeast Georgia through their life’s work,” said VP for College Advancement, Larry Mays. “Even more inspiring is their commitment to continuing that legacy by giving the gift of education to future generations. Their generosity will have a profound impact, shaping the future of skilled trades and ensuring that their contributions to the community live on for years to come.”
Petrea, in his retirement, and his wife, Debra Chester, live on their farm in north Bulloch County.
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