SLCC student awarded Bristow Scholarship

Tyron Sweet, sitting, takes time out from studying to visit with Scott Gibson, HR Manager - Americas. Sweet, a first-generation college student, was awarded the Bristow Scholarship to study Aviation Maintenance Technology at South Louisiana Community College.

Tyron Sweet, sitting, takes time out from studying to visit with Scott Gibson, HR Manager - Americas. Sweet, a first-generation college student, was awarded the Bristow Scholarship to study Aviation Maintenance Technology at South Louisiana Community College.

For one South Louisiana Community College student studying Aviation Maintenance Technology, there is no barrier too high to prevent him from earning his degree. Thanks to Bristow, that path forward became a bit more manageable.

Meet Tyron Sweet, a first-generation college student from New Iberia, Louisiana, who was awarded the Bristow Group Inc. Scholarship, given to exceptional, diverse AMT students attending the Lafayette Aviation site campus.

“I am excited and honored to receive this scholarship,” Sweet said. 

But Tyron’s goal is much greater than winning the scholarship from Bristow. It’s about working hard at school while demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment, and overcoming obstacles to inspire others. It also underscores, quite powerfully, why he earned the Bristow Scholarship. 

“I am doing this not only for myself, but to set an example for my little brother -- that anything is achievable,” he said. “When I am not in class or studying, I work around 32 hours per week. I have no option of getting discouraged or quitting, I am all in.”

“The competition to identify, attract, retain, and develop top talent is fierce—particularly in our industry, where there’s a significant demand for technical expertise,” said Mary Wersebe, Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer. “We have more good jobs than qualified people, so all hands must be readied, and every mind must be prepared to contribute, and that means continued investment in good people like Tyron, as well as their communities, to help enable their success.”

For diverse students to qualify for the Bristow Scholarship, they must be full-time AMT majors and enrolled in 12 or more credit hours while carrying at least a 3.0 grade point average. Up to two students are eligible for the award annually.

The SLCC AMT program consists of general education classes, aviation fundamentals, airframe maintenance and powerplant maintenance courses. Upon completion, students are awarded an associate degree of Applied Science in AMT while earning Federal Aviation Administration Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic certifications.