Irving Forest Products announces inaugural recipients of Maine Engineering and Skilled Trades Scholarships

Since launching the Maine Engineering and Skilled Trades Scholarships last year, Irving Forest Products Inc. is proud to announce the program’s inaugural recipients.

Theodore (Teddy) Donovan, a Mechanical Engineering Technology student at the University of Maine, and Cameron Sherbinski, a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Maine, are both on their first summer work term as part of the program.

The scholarships aim to support local Maine students pursue higher education in high-demand professions and find work in their communities. Valued at 50 per cent of tuition, the scholarships also come with paid summer internship placements and guaranteed full-time jobs after graduation.

Machines have always clicked for Teddy. Born and raised in Presque Isle, Maine, he grew up helping his dad solve problems.

“When I discovered what engineering was all about, it sounded perfect for me,” said Teddy, who is currently a mechanical engineering intern at the Ashland Sawmill.

“Receiving this scholarship reassures me that I have what it takes to make it in this field and that a local company cares enough about their community to help students pursuing higher education.”

For Cameron, who grew up in Otisfield, Maine, sitting at a desk job all day was never in the cards. As someone who likes to see and interact with what he’s working on, and learn how things operate first-hand, his summer work term at the Dixfield Sawmill has been exactly what he was looking for in a job.

As a mechanical engineering intern, Cameron helps out in the machine shop. He’s using the experience to learn as much as possible about both the industry and company as he prepares for a job post-college.

“There is so much opportunity and room for growth here at J.D. Irving that it makes me excited to come to work, as there is something new happing every day. That is why I am pursuing a career here,” Cameron said.

“Receiving this scholarship represents a handful of accomplishments,” Cameron added. “It represents the product of my hard work, a step closer to achieving my goals and a sigh of relief for me and my family to not have to worry about paying to further my education. I cannot express how grateful I am to be receiving it. I want to make a difference in the world and help those around me, even if it is small one, like how this scholarship has helped me.”

Irving Forest Products, a subsidiary of J.D. Irving, Limited, is committed to helping support students interested in careers in engineering and skilled trades. A similar Northern New Brunswick Trades & Engineering Scholarship was established by the J.D. Irving, Limited Sawmill and Woodlands divisions in 2023.