Press Release
Featured Partner of 2005
Austin Partners in Education Names Applied Materials 2005 'Partner of the Year' -- Annual 'Salute' Showcases Outstanding Partners
The list of nominees for Partner of the Year for Salute 2005 was very impressive. The award, accepted on behalf of Applied Materials and its employees by Mr. Chris Belden, Group Vice President and General Manager of Global Operations, recognizes a Partner who has made exceptional and innovative contributions to the District.
Applied Materials has a long history as a pillar of support for the Austin School District. As needs have increased they have escalated their support exponentially in terms of both dollars and volunteer employee hours. Last year Applied Materials invested nearly $325,000 in the students of Austin, both through direct funding and indirect funding of nonprofits who work in the district. Most importantly, Applied Materials decided to focus its support on a group of schools that have often lacked strong partnerships and have a number of unmet needs. These schools include Pecan Springs Elementary, Pearce Middle School, and LBJ High School. Their grants support after-school care, reading, the fine arts, and mentoring, etc. Not only does the company provide financial support, it also encourages its employees to get personally involved by volunteering on all of these campuses. Their employees serve as tutors, mentors, and role models.
Applied Materials gives approximately $1 million in philanthropic donations to the Central Texas community with an emphasis on youth education. In Austin, the company aims to empower underserved youth through highly focused investments with significant long-term impact in central Texas. The company partners with two districts, Austin and Manor. Applied Materials, Inc. headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and a major employer in Austin, is the largest supplier of equipment and services to the global semiconductor industry.
Other Salute 2005 Award Winners recognized were:
Hall of Fame – Ben Ornelas and Rick Burciaga
Chair’s Award – Bob Rutishauser
Chair’s Award – John Blazier
District Volunteer of the Year - Vincent Torres
Campus Volunteer of the Year – Robby Anderson
Mentor of the Year – Ross Baldwin
Mentor Program of the Year – Austin Energy
Good Things Come in Small Packages – Grateful Growers Inc.
College Preparation Program of the Year – St. Edward’s University/Huston Tillotson University
Business Representative of the Year – Sandy Dochen
Rookie of the Year – Bernie Blazier
Special Project of the Year– Ricardo DeLara /Juan A. Rangel / F.T. Woods
Exemplary Staff Performance Elementary Level – Janie Orosco
Exemplary Staff Performance Secondary Level - Stephanie Touchstone
Exemplary Staff Performance Central Office – Lawrence Hill
Campus Spirit Award– Ortega Elementary School / McCallum High School
Partner of the Year for Texas School for the Deaf – Sorenson |
