I felt like I was going to cry . This scholarship isn ’ t only a blessing , but it ’ s a gift .
Michael Weaver
Physical Therapy Assistant student
ELIEVE
Scholarship recipient thanks donors for believing in him
NWTC student Michael Weaver ‘ 21 didn ’ t believe college was in the cards for him .
He lived an unstable childhood , he said , moving from state to state with his mother . The harder times were , the harder he worked . Weaver was determined to make his life better .
He graduated from Preble High School in 2008 and earned a college degree in massage therapy .
Weaver wants to improve health for everyone , so he enrolled in NWTC ’ s Physical Therapy Assistant Program .
“ I want to bring together massage therapy and physical therapy and help people to care for themselves ,” he said .
Going back to college a second time is tough , as he also juggles a job and takes care of his son , but Weaver was determined . “ I told myself , I ’ m going to
15 FRIENDS OF NWTC | FALL 2020 get good grades . I ’ m going to work hard ,” he said .
Weaver used much of his available funding at his previous college , so he applied for scholarships through the NWTC Educational Foundation and received the Bellin Health Scholarship in Honor of Dr . Mark Reinke .
Weaver said he is forever grateful for the donors who believed in him .
“ To think that somebody out there thought that a guy right there deserves this , because he is going somewhere ,” Weaver said in disbelief , “ I felt like I was going to cry . This scholarship isn ’ t only a blessing , but it ’ s a gift .”
“ It ’ s a symbol that I can show my son , that no matter what life throws at you , you can get an education and achieve your goals .”
FALL 2020 | NWTC . EDU 15