Baldwin Receives Cascades Scholarship

Richmond Community College student Matthew “Blake” Baldwin was the 2015 recipient of a $3,000 Industrial Innovation Scholarship awarded by Cascades.

The Rockingham native is a 2009 graduate of Richmond Senior High School. He said he chose to attend college after being laid off from a job as a plumber working at a modular home plant.

“When I was laid off, I thought that would be the perfect time to go back to school,” said Baldwin, who is on track to graduate in December from RCC with an Associate in Applied Science in Industrial Systems Technology. He said his future plans are to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from East Carolina University, and he would like to work in industrial maintenance.

“After I put in 20 or 30 years doing that, I may like to come back and teach,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin credited the Cascades scholarship with allowing him to further his education. He’s also taking advantage of a Federal Work Study program by working at the RCC Bookstore.