FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lighthouse Computer Services and Tech Collective Accepting College Scholarship Applications

Three $1,000 scholarships to honor US Military students and develop high-tech industries in Rhode Island.

Providence / Lincoln, R.I. – Feb. 2, 2009 – Tech Collective, the Industry Partner for Information Technology and Biosciences in Rhode Island, today announces it is partnering with Lighthouse Computer Services to award three student scholarships. The $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to students affiliated with Military service and entering IT, MIS or Computer Science fields.

- Advertisement -

The scholarships are an initiative to recognize the dedication of Military personnel and their families statewide as well as promote the state’s high-tech, high-wage technology industry. The scholarships will supplement rising living and tuition costs as student recipients attain a workforce-ready education and fulfill prosperous industry roles.

“Lighthouse began as a small IT services company in 1995, and we’ve grown to become one of the state’s leading IT employers with more than 100 people on staff today,” said Tom Mrva, Lighthouse Computer Services CEO. “My hope is that these scholarships help a few bright IT students enter this rewarding industry, and if possible, to remain in RI and help build the state’s growing reputation for IT excellence.”

“Tech Collective is proud to be partnering with Lighthouse and supporting Rhode Island’s Military families through this scholarship opportunity,” said Jo Ann Johnson, manager of youth and education programs for the Tech Collective. “The US Department of Labor reports that IT is one of the “fastest growing” and high paid industries nationwide. However, despite this fact, there is an increasing shortfall of talent to fulfill industry needs in Rhode Island. The Tech Collective and Lighthouse Scholarship is one way in which we are working to promote, develop and strengthen not only our technology industries, but our students and our state as well.”

Scholarships are being funded in entirety by Lighthouse Computer Services. Tech Collective will be the administrator. Applications are due by March 24, 2009, with award announcements to be made in May or June 2009. Scholarships will be distributed for Fall 2009 semesters. Scholarship applicants must legal Rhode Island residents attending a four-year Rhode Island college or university. Applicants must also be or have a parent who is a member or former member of one of the five branches of the Armed Services. Scholarship applications and additional information can be obtained from www.tech-collective.org and from local high school and college guidance offices.

About Lighthouse Computer Services:
Lighthouse Computer Services, a 110-employee firm, is one of R.I.’s fastest-growing technology companies. Founded in 1995, the company now provides technology products and services to more than 450 midsize to large enterprises throughout the Northeast. Today, Lighthouse offers consulting, integration and maintenance services on the latest hardware and software technologies available, including those from IBM, NetApp, VMware, Microsoft and more. Lighthouse placed number 249 in VARBusiness 2008 ranking of the top 500 IT solution provider firms in the U.S. Lighthouse is also winner of IBM’s 2008 IBM Business Partner Excellence Award for North America; IBM’s 2007 Award for Best Compliance Solution; and IBM’s 2006 Beacon Award for Overall Technical Excellence in a Business Partner. For more information about the company, please visit www.LighthouseCS.com.

About Tech Collective:
Tech Collective is the technology industry association of Rhode Island. Focusing on Community Building and Workforce Development, we are driving technology growth, innovation and prosperity by uniting industry, government and education. Tech Collective builds and strengthens community by creating partnerships, offering thought-provoking forums and organizing state-wide participation in events like Forward Thinking, Bio Ed, GRRL Tech and Technology Laureate’s Night. In promoting and developing a highly-skilled Rhode Island workforce, Tech Collective drives technology-based education and training programs for students in grades K -16 as well as for incumbent and transitioning workers. For more information about Tech Collective initiatives and events, visit www.tech-collective.org.

Contact:
Giselle LaFrance
Tech Collective
(401) 829-8321
glafrance@tech-collective.org

David Sylvestre
Lighthouse Computer Services, Inc.
Tel: 401-334-0799 ext. 155
E-mail: dsylvestre@lighthousecs.com