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In honor of UMass Transit's 50th Anniversary, we are beginning a scholarship fund for our hardworking student employees. With your donation, we will be providing scholarships to our employees who go above and beyond, in work and school.
Despite our minimum requirement of 15 hours per week, many of our student employees go further, working many more hours per week. These students also go to school full time and balance their work, class, and social life (for many, Transit is their social life). Our student employees frequently fund their own education, living expenses, and still manage to have fun outside of a bus.
Your donation will help support current student employees who are building our legacy through 50 years of service! The scholarship will be awarded to current UMass Transit Service employees who:
The scholarship will be awarded to two students each year as a $1000 scholarship. While the scholarship is non-renewable, awarded students can reapply the following year to be considered for a second award.
And finally, as paraphrased from the UMass Transit Alumni Facebook page, always remember:
Step 1: Admit we have a problem, we still dream of driving the bus.
Step 2: Anytime we ride on a bus we think about how we can distract the driver, steal the bus and head for the border at 4 mpg.
Step 3: Not A Step
Step 4: Driving a bus never helped us learn how to read destination signs, read a bus timetable, or actually ride a bus.
Step 5: Wear sandals ALL THE TIME!
Step 6: You dream of buying a fishbowl and marrying a diesel mechanic so you can drive across the country.
Step 7: Quit turning on your 4-ways and stopping at railroad tracks in your Civic. Also, recognize that no one else calls them "4-ways".
Step 8: You still have the urge to wave at passing buses.
We couldn't have done this without all of you, and hope to support our current and future student employees with a scholarship to show our appreciation for their dedication to UMass Transit!
We all have to start somewhere! You're eager to learn, and the next generation of drivers to keep us going!
You're the basis of our organization. We all start here, and you certainly know your way around an engine compartment.
You're by far the most compassionate of our workforce. Instead of dodging passenger inquiries, you take your time to create connections with your passengers. You're the kind hearts we all need to keep UMTS successful.
You're really branching out! Going beyond our routes into the great unknown. It's you, your bus, and the open road.
The toughest of our workers, you keep our facilities running, our building looking beautiful, our headlights operating, and our tires inflated. A backbone of UMTS full of people willing to get dirty for those vital tasks.
You know how to build this organization from the ground up. You're a leader and a teacher and vital to us all becoming drivers.
Filling opens, directing detours, making radio calls, and calling the shots. You're dedicated and driven, and always looking out for the drivers.
A DS is the full package. Experienced, knowledgeable, and a valuable teammate. You're the direction and leadership for UMTS keeps the day to day running.
You're the leadership that holds us together. With your different facet of understanding at Transit, you supervise, plan, and communicate your way through challenges that UMTS has. Without your above and beyond work, we'd fall apart!
You're the top dog. We all look up to your dedication and fearless leadership. You'll forever have an impact on your employees! We couldn't do this without you.