Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) has announced the spring 2026 recipients of the Roper Corporation Scholarship are Tammy Chandler and Salvador Hernandez.
Chandler lives in Trion and is a student in the Computer Support Specialist program at the Walker County Campus; Hernandez resides in Summerville and studies Automation Technology at the Catoosa County Campus.
“We are deeply grateful for this generous investment from Roper Corporation,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, GNTC president. “It demonstrates Roper’s commitment to elevate the workforce in northwest Georgia and support outstanding Roper employees enrolled at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.”
The Roper Corporation Scholarship, established in 2024, provides financial assistance to GNTC students employed by Roper Corporation. Roper is a wholly owned subsidiary of GE Appliances, a Haier company. The Roper plant in LaFayette manufactures freestanding ranges, wall ovens, electric and gas cooktops and is one of northwest Georgia’s largest employers with more than 2,500 employees.
“Roper Corporation remains deeply committed to building a strong pipeline of skilled talent, and the Roper Scholarship at GNTC is an important part of that commitment,” said Luther Ingram, Roper’s president and executive director and a member of the GNTC Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “By helping remove financial barriers, this scholarship will open doors for more students to pursue high-demand technical careers that are critical to both our company and our community.”
Students can be enrolled in any credit program and must be employed by Roper during the application and award semesters to be eligible for the scholarship. Funds from the scholarship may be used for tuition, fees, supplies, tools or other educational materials.
“Roper’s partnership with Georgia Northwestern Technical College reflects a shared commitment to building a strong, future-ready manufacturing workforce,” said Ben Canedo, Roper’s Human Resources senior business partner and a member of GNTC’s Board of Directors. “Together, they collaborate on tailored training programs, hands-on learning experiences and industry-recognized certifications that equip students with the practical skills needed in today’s advanced manufacturing environment. By combining GNTC’s educational expertise with Roper’s real-world industry insight, the partnership ensures students are prepared to meet evolving technical demands.”
“This collaboration not only strengthens Roper’s ability to attract and retain skilled talent, but also supports long-term workforce development across the region,” Canedo explained. “By aligning educational outcomes with business needs, both organizations help create a reliable pipeline of qualified professionals who are ready to contribute to innovation, operational excellence and sustained growth.”
About GE Appliances
At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make good things, for life. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, we are a leading U.S. manufacturer of home appliances with 15,500 team members nationwide. GE Appliances, found in half of all U.S. homes, is proud to be rated America’s #1 Appliance Company, trusted by millions of families nationwide. We manufacture and sell products under the Monogram™, Café™, GE Profile™, GE®, Haier™and Hotpoint™ brands. Our operations support nearly 90,000 additional American jobs and represent an investment of more than $2 billion since 2016. We are deeply committed to the communities where we live and work, passionate about getting closer to our product users to understand their needs and driven by the belief that there’s always a better way. To learn more about our company, brands, career opportunities and impact, visit geappliancesco.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.
About GNTC Georgia Northwestern Technical College delivers high-quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students can pursue associate degrees, diplomas and certificates in a wide range of career pathways, including aviation, business, health, industrial and public service. Over the past year, 14,082 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. The college has an annual credit enrollment of 9,342 students and achieved a 100 percent placement rate. An additional 4,740 individuals are served through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start® programs.
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