ARLINGTON, Va. — The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees Jr. Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), has announced the award of $16,500 in scholarship funds to 12 students studying the HVACR and water heating trades. AHRI’s Rees Scholarship Foundation was established to honor the legacy of Ted Rees, a former president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), a predecessor organization to AHRI, for his efforts to encourage HVACR manufacturers to provide support to strengthen career and technical school education nationwide. Since 2003, the Rees Scholarship Foundation has awarded nearly $175,000 in scholarships to 97 students.

“We are proud to support students pursuing a career in this industry,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI president and CEO. “The future success of our industry depends on qualified, dedicated HVACR and water heating technicians to fill good-paying jobs that cannot be outsourced.”

The 2011 scholarship recipients are: Andrew M. Clem, Calhoun Community College, Decatur, Ala.; Aldrick Crowe, New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Austin M. Grey, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, Lancaster, Pa.; Jerome T. Guethe, Central New Mexico Community College, Albuquerque, N.M.; Lukas A. Bennett, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pa.; Brian Matijevich, Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville, Wis.; Bradly Higdon, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, Ala.; Justin Chandler, Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, Ala.; Jonathan Chadwick, Northwest Community College, Senatobia, Miss.; David Allen Hale, Northwest Community College, Senatobia, Miss.; Matthew D. Near, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Mich.; and Jacob Dewit, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Mich.