Five Cape Fear Community College students were awarded scholarships to support manufacturing in education. 

Wilmington Grill recently awarded the students a total of $6,500 in scholarships, according to an announcement from the Cape Fear Community College Foundation.

Students who received scholarships were Atwood Boyd (welding), Matt Crawley and Kymel Bloodworth (mechanical engineering), as well as Nathan Nobles and Alexander Hicks (computer integrated machinery).
 
The scholarship presentation was a part of Wilmington Grill’s Manufacturing Day Open House, which invited area high school and CFCC students, faculty and staff to Wilmington Grill’s warehouse to showcase vocational opportunities and its manufacturing process, according to the news release.

Officials said visiting students toured the Wilmington Grill campus in the North Chase Industrial Park and met the owners and employees of the company.  Founded in 1996, the company’s grills are sold nationwide.
 
"Wilmington Grill and the Barber Family have demonstrated the true meaning of philanthropy," Marty Richards, CFCC foundation director, said in the release. "Graduates of these programs are in high demand in our region and will ultimately contribute to the economic vitality of our area."

"My family and this business are very passionate about promoting manufacturing as a career," said Jon Barber, general manager at Wilmington Grill Company, in the release. "We love building and making things, and we are pleased to support these students."