(STATEWIDE) – Texas State Technical College Regent Joe M. Gurecky is a product of technical education and along with his wife, Doris, knows what a difference it has made in his life. In an effort to help students reach their career goals, he now finds it his personal responsibility to help fund the Texan Success Scholarship.

The Fort Bend natives’ donation totals  $100,000, with $75,000 going toward scholarships and $25,000 going to the Chancellor’s discretionary fund, which is used to facilitate the institution’s needs.

TSTC matched the scholarship donation dollar for dollar, helping nearly 150 students pursue their dream of a college education. The Texan Success Scholarship goes to new students who enroll full time to provide assistance for tuition, books and other supplies.

“I am a product of a technical school, and as a result I know firsthand what an impact it has made on my life and the successes I have enjoyed throughout 60 years in the manufacturing business,” said Gurecky, owner of Gurecky Manufacturing Service, Inc. “Therefore, it is our privilege to provide this same opportunity to the youth of our community.”

Gurecky attended Taylor Vocational Technical College to learn machine shop work and spent 27 years working for Baroid Corporation, a Houston-based oil and gas industry production company.

However, when a recession in the oil and gas industry hit Houston in the 1980s, the middle school sweethearts and business partners used their life savings in 1983 to open Gurecky Manufacturing, which operated out of their garage with only three machines.

Despite the significant growth Gurecky Manufacturing has seen over the years, Gurecky hopes to maintain a mom-and-pop-shop image, although the company is now housed in a 40,000-square-foot facility filled with state-of-the-art precision manufacturing machines.

In addition to Gurecky’s successful business and career, he has also served on Rosenberg’s City Council and is the former mayor of Rosenberg. It was during this time that he worked diligently to establish TSTC in the county.

“About 15 years ago I was involved in bringing TSTC to Rosenberg, and it has been awesome to see how TSTC has grown. It brings us great joy and satisfaction to leave a lasting legacy on TSTC and the students we serve,” said Gurecky.

Gurecky has also served the college by sitting on the TSTC Board of Regents for 12 years.

TSTC Field Development Officer John Kennedy said that Gurecky and his wife personify the generosity of the Fort Bend County community.

“The generous donation from Doris and Joe Gurecky will help many of our students achieve the American dream, and TSTC’s match of their gift will help spread those dollars even more,” said Kennedy. “We are privileged to have Regent Gurecky in our community and even more fortunate for his many years of service on TSTC’s Board of Regents.”

For more information on the Texan Success Scholarship and how you can do your part to help a deserving student, call 346-239-3417.

New student registration for Summer and Fall 2017 begins April 3. You can apply or register online anytime at tstc.edu.