Samuel Norman-David Yowonske served in the United States Army for 20 years before returning home to pursue a degree in Supply Chain Management at Lenoir Community College in Kinston. Yowonske is also a 2018-19 recipient of the North Carolina Railroad Company’s annual Logistics and Distribution Management scholarship for students seeking an associate degree in Supply Chain Management.
After completing his studies at Lenoir Community College, Yowonske plans to transfer to East Carolina University to complete his bachelor’s degree and then continue his education at Embry-Riddle University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in the Technical Management program.
Since 2016, the North Carolina Railroad Company has provided annual scholarships to the logistics and distribution management programs at Lenoir Community College and Davidson County Community College, located along the North Carolina Railroad line. The North Carolina Railroad Company is committed to assisting the state in the recruitment and expansion of rail-served industry, while also promoting the necessity of a skilled workforce to meet the logistics and distribution management needs required by these companies.
The NCRR scholarship is awarded to students pursuing an associate degree in supply chain management. At both Lenoir Community College and Davidson County Community College, the supply chain management curriculum prepares individuals for a multitude of career opportunities in distribution, transportation, warehousing, trucking operations, supply chain, and manufacturing organizations.
Robert Wayne Scarboro is an Archdale resident and is currently an employee in the field of supply chain management. Scarboro works full-time as an allocator for Global Brands Group and is enrolled at Davidson County Community College as a full-time student, pursuing an associate degree in Supply Chain Management. As the 2018-19 recipient of the North Carolina Railroad Company’s Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management Scholarship, Scarboro hopes that furthering his education will allow him to advance within the company.
“The North Carolina Railroad Company’s history is rooted in economic development and job creation. Our community colleges are doing excellent work preparing the skilled workforce required by rail-served industry—and the demand for such expertise continues to grow,” said NCRR President Scott Saylor. “We are excited to make these meaningful contributions to ensure North Carolina’s workforce, and students like Mr. Yowonske and Mr. Scarboro are prepared for careers at a rail-served or logistics-based company.”
Coursework for supply chain management considers the international and domestic movement of goods from the raw materials source(s) through production and ultimately to the consumer. Courses in economics and finance, transportation, warehousing, inventory control, material handling, purchasing, computerization, supply chain operations, federal transportation and safety regulations are some of the types of classes offered within this field of study.
The funds are made available to provide tuition assistance annually, making a degree possible for two students each academic year—one student per year at each institution.
Davidson County Community College
Karen Renee Huff, Yadkinville, 2016-17
Melissa Briceno, Winston-Salem, 2017-18
Lenoir Community College
Penny Barefoot, Faison, 2016-17
Jeffrey Jenkins, Black Creek, 2017-18
