Brownells Scholarship Winner is Ready to Go to Work
OutdoorHub 08.14.11
The second recipient of an innovative Brownells gunsmithing scholarship is a self-described “nontraditional student” who has already used the money to buy bluing tanks and a band saw-exactly what the scholarship intended.
Pat Jones, 40, recently won a $2000 merit scholarship after he successfully finished his third and final year of studies at the Brownells Trinidad American Gunsmithing Technologies Institute in Trinidad, Colorado.
“The scholarship helps Trinidad’s third-year gunsmithing students set up a gunsmithing business,” said Frank Brownell, the company’s CEO. “The students come out of Trinidad with gunsmithing skills and business training, and the scholarship buys tools they can use immediately.”
Jones, who grew up in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, said his interest in gunsmithing was kindled when he took an NRA gunsmithing class one summer, and “realized I had a knack for it.”
Jones admits he got a late start learning the gunsmithing arts. He was a 1994 graduate from the University of Maine with an education degree and was credentialed as a high-school math teacher. At one time, he also operated his own property-management business.
“But in gunsmithing, I create something with my own hands,” Jones said. “I absolutely love that.”
Brownells President Pete Brownell said, “Our dream at Trinidad was to create a business incubator for gunsmithing graduates from around the country. Students from other gunsmithing schools who take a third year at Trinidad can apply for the scholarship.”
Trinidad State Junior College Gunsmithing Instructor Thomas “Speedy” Gonzalez said, “We will miss Pat a lot. His leadership skills and attention to precision and detail gave his classmates cause to vote for him in the award of the scholarship.”
Jones said, “I’m extremely grateful to Brownells for scholarships during my first two years at the school and for the money to get me started in the business. I’ve already bought bluing tanks and a band saw, which will get me started doing basic repairs and custom stock work once I decide where to settle.”
For more on the Brownells Trinidad American Gunsmithing Technologies Institute in Trinidad, Colorado, and the scholarship, contact Speedy Gonzalez at (719) 846-5578 or at speedy.gonzalez@trinidadstate.edu.
At Brownells everything is guaranteed, period! …Forever, 100%, with no restocking fees. Founded in 1939, they supply more than 50,000 firearms parts, accessories, gunsmithing tools and ammunition to armorers, gunsmiths, and shooters worldwide. Brownells provides free tech help and there’s no minimum order size or small order fees. To place an order, or for more information, call 800-741-0015 or visit www.brownells.com and mention code PHY
Contact:
Larry Weeks, (641) 623-8071 or larry.weeks@brownells.com
