Collat alumnus and Lighting Solutions President Kenny Wolfe has donated $30,000 to create the Lighting Solutions Kristen Craig Endowed Scholarship in Industrial Distribution (ID) to honor Collat ID advisor Kristen Craig for her mentorship and dedication to student success within the Charles and Patsy Collat ID Program.
Kenny Wolfe with his wife Toni and Kristen Craig (center)
"Kristen is a tremendous resource for the ID Program and I am glad that we can acknowledge her for all that she does for the program and all of its students," said Kenny about his decision to honor Kristen.
Kenny received his Industrial Distribution degree in 1995 and his MBA in 2000. Shortly after graduating in 2000, Kenny incorporated his company, Lighting Solutions opens a new website, a Birmingham-based manufacturing representative in the lighting industry. Lighting Solutions now represents over 30 manufacturers, including electrical distributors and contractors, architects, engineers and more.
"Kenny's success is remarkable, and includes building both a very successful company and career based on integrity, hard work, and a commitment to growth and innovation in the electrical industry," said Kristen.
Throughout his academic career, Kenny says Kristen was instrumental in his success as a student, and was important in shaping his early career. Kenny believes his donation would give back to the ID Program and be of immediate assistance to students struggling financially while honoring Kristen and all that she has done for students throughout her time as an advisor and program manager, and what she continues to do.
"Entering into my 24th year of work at UAB, I am overwhelmed with pride regarding the success of the students and graduates of the ID Program. Gifting UAB and the ID Program with the Lighting Solutions Endowed ID Scholarship is an immeasurable gift, and also an affirmation of the connection between students, graduates and the industry they aspire to effect. It is such an honor and privilege to be even the smallest part of something so extraordinary," said Kristen.
This gift names the first ID Endowed Scholarship by an alumnus of The Charles and Patsy Collat Industrial Distribution Program, the first-named program at UAB.
See event photos on flickr opens a new website