Students who either are enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a certificate or degree program for the skilled trades of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, welding, electrical, building construction, machining, auto collision repair and refinishing, engine repair; or to teach in a vocational field, are encouraged to apply by Nov. 1. One or more applicants will receive the scholarship for the spring 2021 semester.  

The Dave Goyette Memorial Vocational Scholarship program was established to honor the memory of David J. Goyette, with the generous contributions from his wife, Gloria Kavanah, and numerous people whose lives he touched.  Dave was a force of goodness in the world.  He had a gift for making everyone he encountered feel valued and was known for his quiet acts of kindness, uplifting words, and sharing of whatever knowledge might help someone.  This scholarship is intended to benefit vocational education students that reflect Dave's character traits. 

“Dave’s dream was always to become a teacher. He achieved his Associate degree and had a successful career in the HVAC field, which afforded him the financial security and opportunity to pursue his dream,” said Gloria Kavanah, who created the fund through The Schenectady Foundation.  Goyette returned to college in his 40s and at the age of 49 graduated Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Education. He started his career in education by teaching a semester at Hudson Valley Community College and the HVAC/R adult education certificate course at Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES. He then went on to create the curriculum and the laboratory for the Fulton Montgomery Community College HVAC/R program, and taught the courses for several years.   

"With vocational education's emphasis on developing practical skills, abilities, and work habits, it's much more than learning a trade," said Robert A. Carreau, executive director of The Schenectady Foundation, which already offers two other scholarship programs to county residents. The Anna Hudson Erbacher Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors to assist them in their aspirations to become teachers and the Schenectady STEM Scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior from Schenectady High School who will be pursuing math, science or engineering studies in college. "The Dave Goyette Scholarship is a perfect fit with our foundation's mission to add value to the community and we are grateful for the opportunity to assist in its creation."