Vasant N. Asgaonkar Scholarship

Dr. Lisa Paulis, a physician at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care and a member of the MCC Foundation Board of Directors, honored her father (pictured here with granddaughter Ellie) with the gift of an endowed scholarship, recognizing his dedication in fostering the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Vasant Asgaonkar earned a master’s degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Oklahoma State University. He started working for Babcock & Wilcox servicing electrical power plants for utilities in the mid-west and was eventually promoted to construction manager tasked with building coal, oil, gas and nuclear power plants. Additionally, he managed the construction of boilers for paper mills, pharmaceutical plants and the auto industry.

After retiring in 2003, Mr. Asgaonkar began working with the Common Arc Corporation (International Union of Boilermakers and Welders certification/testing organization based in Chicago) to certify welders for various contractors across the country.

Dr. Paulis and her father believe that welders are essential for the creation and maintenance of a variety of industries such as power generation, auto manufacturing, and petrochemical to name a few. Welding provides financially stable careers for young people with an immense potential for job satisfaction and longevity. With this scholarship, they seek to support students pursuing a welding career through MCC’s Welding and Fabrication Certificate program.