The youngest of three kids, Nathan Matherly was taught the value of education, community, and hard work at a young age. This instilled work ethic most likely assisted Nathan in mapping out his career path, as well. With a clear vision of his future schooling and career, Nathan is a step ahead of most young adults his age.
What guides Nathan? His servant’s heart and the opportunity to give back. “Service is important to me,” he shares. “Serve to my church and my community.”
In fact, Nathan was a Junior firefighter with the Hurdle Mills Volunteer Fire Department, volunteered with the Bushy fork ballpark through the Booster Club, and often serves at his family church, Five Forks Baptist Church is Cedar Grove, as an usher, Vacation Bible School volunteer, and weekly children’s ministry teacher.
In addition, Nathan was working at The Country Store, a local store in Hurdle Mills. “Working while in school helped me prioritize. I had to be organized to get my schoolwork done while holding a part-time job.”
While studying in a homeschool setting, Nathan and his family also took advantage of Piedmont Community College’s (PCC) Career and College Promise program. As a high school student, the criminal justice classes he enrolled in were tuition free.
Nathan’s success in these college classes, as well as his obvious work ethic, made him a worthy scholarship candidate. After applying, he was awarded the Charlie Hubbard and the John R. Bradsher Scholarships from the PCC Foundation.
“Receiving this funding gives me a level of pride,” Nathan shares. “Not only does it help me financially, but it also makes we work harder knowing that people in the community are showing support of my education and future.”
His determination in the classroom also earned Nathan a nomination for a new internship program. After applying and interviewing with Spuntech Industries, Nathan was offer the internship position.
“This opportunity has been amazing for me. I have had a job since I was 14 years old, but coming into a big business such as Spuntech and gaining a whole new set of work experiences will definitely help me in the future”.
Nathan addressed a crowd of approximately 20 Roxboro Chamber of Commerce Industrial Relations Committee members during a recent luncheon. After sharing his college and work experience with guests, three Spuntech Industry representatives spoke highly of Nathan’s work ethic.
JoEllen Crowfoot, Manager, Human Recourses, Spuntech Industries, Inc. later said, “Nathan’s attentiveness and drive has made him a great addition to the Spuntech family. He has taken the initiative to learn and assist in various functions of the Manufacturing operation, thus increasing his value to his team and the company.”
As much as the Industry leaders would like to continue Nathan’s career at Spuntech, he has other plans after College.
“Once I obtain my degree from PCC, I plan to enlist into the United States Marine Corps Reserve,” he told the luncheon attendees. After boot camp, Nathan intends to transfer his PCC credits to a four-year intuition and earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. His end goal is to be a Marine and a member of the Highway Patrol.
Nathan closed his presentation by expressing his gratitude. “The Lord has blessed me with lots of help so far in my career plan. I have been so grateful to receive the scholarships and internship opportunities. If everything goes the way it appears to be, I should graduate Piedmont Community College debt free. Growing up in a middle-class family, that is an amazing blessing.”
To learn more about the opportunities that benefitted Nathan, such as PCC’s Career and College Promise program, scholarship funds, and internship opportunities, visit www.piedmontcc.edu or contact the PCC Team at (336) 599-1181.
Photo: Nathan Matherly, PCC student enrolled in Criminal Justice
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