In an effort to turn heartbreak into a future opportunity for a student at W.H. Adamson High School Collegiate Academy, Patrick Morin, Managing Director of Information Technology at American Airlines, has established the Eric J. Morin Memorial Scholarship.
Morin’s son, Eric James Morin, passed away before he turned 2. In honor of Eric, Morin and his family are personally donating a $5,000 college scholarship for the top student who graduates from W.H. Adamson High School Collegiate Academy. American Airlines has generously offered to match the donation, allowing a second top graduate of the Collegiate Academy to receive at a $5,000 college scholarship.
“The possibility for students to earn an associate degree in technology while pursuing a high school diploma is a huge opportunity for the graduating students, the hiring corporations and the Oak Cliff community.” Morin told the class of incoming freshmen. “And while the ability to immediately enter the workforce upon graduation from the collegiate academy is certainly an exciting prospect, we hope some students will be inspired to continue their education and apply the credits they earn in the collegiate academy towards the completion of a four-year bachelor’s degree. In my son’s memory, we have set up a scholarship fund to award the top graduate from the W.H. Adamson Collegiate Academy with a $5,000 scholarship.”
American Airlines is the industry partner of the Adamson High School Collegiate Academy. As an industry partner, American Airlines will provide students with mentorship, site visits and potential opportunities for internships and job interviews.
Adamson High School Collegiate Academy is one of the 23 collegiate academies and Early College High Schools being operated by Dallas ISD and the Dallas County Community College District this school year. The nearly 3,800 Dallas ISD students enrolled in a collegiate academy or ECHS can earn up to 60 hours of college credit or an associate degree—at no cost to them—while earning a high school diploma.
More than 53 industry partners such as American Airlines are partnering with the collegiate academies. For American Airlines, Morin said the partnership makes practical sense for the company.
“We are here because we are always seeking talented students trained in technology to join our team at American Airlines.” Morin said. “Through this partnership and the 4-year journey that we are starting together, we are hopeful that future graduates will consider a pursuing a rewarding career at American Airlines.”
