Throughout his 30-year career as a line technician at Horry Electric Cooperative, Kevin Gore earned the admiration of his co-workers and co-op members. When he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, his cooperative family found a fitting way to honor his service—a $25,000 endowment to the electrical lineman technician program at Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
The fund will be used to grant scholarships to students in the certificate program that prepares them for apprentice training with electric utilities.
Gore was “overcome by the news of the endowment and the scholarship that will be awarded on an annual basis in his honor,” says Burroughs Nobles, manager of operations for Horry Electric Cooperative. “Kevin asked me to be sure to tell everyone what a privilege it is to be able to work for a company like Horry Electric Cooperative where everyone cares about each other like family and where the leadership values each person’s contribution to the organization.”
Gore passed away from his illness in March 2019, shortly after the endowment was announced.
Horry Electric created the fund to honor Gore’s dedication to the job and his professional demeanor, says Pat Howle, CEO and executive vice president of Horry Electric Cooperative.
“Kevin was always the first person I saw as I pulled into our parking lot,” he says. “He always had a smile on his face, a positive attitude, and started your day making you glad to be a part of Horry Electric Cooperative.”
The endowment will make a difference in the lives of future electrical lineworkers, says HGTC professor Scott Shoemaker.
“Some of our students are challenged with the cost of the program and the required tools. Because of donations like this, students are able to begin their career debt-free,” he says. “It is very heart-warming … that Horry Electric chose to honor Mr. Gore’s legacy in this way.”
The electrical lineman technician program at HGTC is a one-semester certificate program that prepares graduates for on-the-job training. Students must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license to enroll. For more program details, contact Shoemaker at (843) 349-5339 or visit hgtc.edu/academics/academic_departments/Eng_Ind_Technology/lineman.html.
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