Garrett Shafer, a past graduate of Spearville High School was selected to receive a $2,500 academic scholarship by the Fund for Rural Education and Development (FRED). Sponsored by United Telephone Association, Inc., the given award is based on merit and demonstrated commitment to rural life. FRED will send the awarded scholarship to Southwestern Oklahoma State University, on behalf of Garrett Shafer.

FRED selected 52 students from rural areas throughout the United States, and received more than 140 exceptional applications sponsored by rural independent telephone companies and cooperatives. FRED awarded $77,000 to rural high school students from across America this year. FRED, a national charitable foundation located in Washington, DC, was founded in 1989 by the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunications Companies (OPASTCO). The FRED Scholarship Program is made possible through the generosity of more than 500 small, independent telephone companies operating in rural areas across the United States and Canada. United Telephone is both a member of OPASTCO and supporter of FRED. Mike Salmans, Operations Manager from United Telephone wrote a letter of recommendation on behalf of Garrett so that his application could be accepted and reviewed. “United had 4 outstanding applicants this year and we were overly excited to have Garrett win this award for his exceptional achievements and hard work. We wish Garrett the best in his pursuit of his Pharmacy Degree” stated Mike. Craig Mock, Genaral Manager at United, commented, “We are very honored to have a student from our rural area win this prestigious award.”

FRED and its advocates strive to promote education and development in rural areas. FRED also works to publicize the fact that more than 500 small, independent telephone companies in the U.S. and Canada are providing state-of-the-art telecommunications technologies and service to their customers. These small telephone companies, including United are a valuable asset to their rural communities. United Telephone and the FRED Foundation are helping to create educational opportunities for rural America’s greatest resource, their younger generations. “Garrett Shafer was selected among an outstanding group of young people to represent ‘the best of the best’,” stated FRED Foundation Director, Melissa Korzuch. “The primary interest of the foundation is to assist students with high potential for success and a strong desire to return to a rural community upon graduation. We were overwhelmed by the remarkable credentials of the applicants. Each of this year’s FRED Scholars is very intelligent and exceedingly active in their community. We hope every FRED Scholar will someday return to their hometowns to contribute to the community that clearly gave them an admirable, productive start in life.” For more information about the FRED Foundation and its programs, contact Mike Salmans of United Telephone in Dodge City, Ks. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FRED CONTACT: Melissa Korzuch, FRED Director, 202.833.2776
TELCO CONTACT: Mike Salmans, United Telephone Association, Inc. 620.227.8641

Garrett Shafer was presented with his $2,500 award. Pictured are Mike Salmans, Operations Manager at United Telephone, Garrett and his parents, Lisa and Mike Shafer.