​Truckoad Carriers Association Names 2016-17 Scholarship Winners

October 2016

ALEXANDRIA, VA…The Truckload Carriers Association's (TCA) Scholarship Fund will be providing financial assistance to 45 college students for the 2016-17 academic year. Each student will receive an amount ranging from $2,725 to $6,250, from a total pool of approximately $130,000.

The six largest amounts awarded are TCA's named scholarships which feature dedicated members, affiliates and past chairmen. The largest scholarship—named after the National Association of Independent Truckers (NAIT) in the amount of $6,250—will go to Blake Quinn of Springfield, Missouri.

Since birth, the trucking industry has played a significant role in Quinn's life. Not only is his father currently employed by Prime, Inc. in the sales and marketing department, but both of Quinn's grandparents were ardent truck drivers.

"The living my family makes, and several family traditions, would not exist without the trucking industry, and for this my family and I are truly blessed," says Quinn.

The second largest award—the Past Chairmen's: John Kaburick award in the amount of $4,500—will go to Jesse Longtin of Kankakee, Illinois. Longtin will be studying accounting at Butler University. Through his mother, who works at

Hoekstra Transportation, LLC, Longtin has learned more than he ever imagined about the trucking industry, not just about the skills needed to be a professional truck driver, but how challenging motorists can make the road for these professionals.

"Next time that you see a truck driver on the road, please give them the room that he or she needs to safely drive," says Longtin. "They want to get home to their family and friends just like you do."

To learn more about this year's scholarship recipients, visit http://truckload.org/meet-the-recipients.

TCA's Scholarship Fund has been providing assistance to students associated with the truckload industry since 1973. Each of the winners must be a student in good standing who will be attending a four-year college or university. Each recipient is associated with a TCA member company as an employee, independent contractor, or the child, grandchild, or spouse of an employee or independent contractor.

Additionally, the winners have shown financial need and scholastic achievement, maintained full-time student status, and demonstrated that they have high character and integrity. The Fund awards its scholarships without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, or religion.

Anyone interested in making a donation to a scholarship in the name of one of TCA's past chairmen should contact TCA's Debbie Sparks at [email protected].