B+B SmartWorx Grants Internet of Things Scholarships to Local Graduates

Vroman plans to attend Drake University in the fall, and will study environmental science. Hughes is planning to attend either Illinois Valley Community College or Illinois State University, and will study computer science.

Ottawa, IL – May 21, 2018 – Two local high school graduates were named Wednesday, May 16, as the first recipients of the Internet of Things Scholarship for Engineering, Science and Technology, sponsored by B+B SmartWorx powered by Advantech.

Recipients Skylar Hughes, recent graduate of Henry-Senachwine High School, and Taylor Vroman, recent graduate of Seneca High School, visited B+B SmartWorx’s Ottawa corporate headquarters May 16 for the announcement.

B+B SmartWorx joined together with the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation in 2017 to facilitate the academic scholarships. The mission of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation is to “connect people who care with causes that matter.”

“We’re happy to be able to encourage students to explore these growing fields,” said Mike Fahrion, chief technology officer of B+B SmartWorx. “The areas of engineering, science and technology are constantly growing and changing. Here at B+B SmartWorx, we’re innovators on that front. We wish Hughes and Vroman well on their educational journey, and maybe when it’s time to enter the workforce they’ll consider bringing their talents back home to B+B SmartWorx.”

Vroman plans to attend Drake University in the fall, and will study environmental science. Hughes is planning to attend either Illinois Valley Community College or Illinois State University, and will study computer science.

The Internet of Things Scholarship for Engineering, Science and Technology awarded $1,000 each to the recipients.

Applicants had to submit a 750-word essay focused on his or her choice of a career and plans for employment in science, technology or engineering. Applications were open to graduates from La Salle, Livingston, Bureau or Putnam counties.

About B+B SmartWorx, Inc.

Founded in 1981, B+B SmartWorx (formerly B&B Electronics) designs and manufactures intelligent M2M and IoT connectivity solutions for wireless and wired networks. Specializing in intelligent connectivity at the “edge” of networks in remote and demanding environments, the company’s product solutions use Ethernet, serial, wireless, cellular and USB communication technologies. In 2016 B+B SmartWorx became part of Advantech, global provider of trusted and innovative products, services and solutions in industrial automation and embedded computing across diverse industries and applications. Together, Advantech and B+B SmartWorx work to enable an intelligent planet.