The family of one of the oldest trucking companies in the state is investing in the workforce of the industry. On Jan. 19, NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville announced the creation of the Willis Shaw Family Endowed Scholarship for the college’s commercial driver’s license training program.
“We are honored to support CDL students who will impact our nation down the road,” said Damon Shaw, grandson of Willis Shaw. “Truckers are the backbone of America, and we look forward to seeing this program grow. Through this gift, we seek to honor Mr. Willis Shaw’s hard work and dedication.”
The Shaw family endowed the scholarship in memory of trucking pioneer, Willis Shaw, who founded Will Shaw Express Inc. in 1940. His legacy includes being an early innovator in refrigerated trucking and developing long-haul transit for live poultry. He was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2009 and died in 2014 at the age of 95.
“The trucking industry and communities all over the state and nation rely on well-trained, professional, committed
drivers to deliver every day,” said Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton. “There has never in history been a greater need to invest in a skilled workforce in order to meet the growing freight demands of the American economy. Identifying and removing barriers for people to access this career path is so important. Scholarships like this one remove a financial barrier and provide that access to a future generation.
“ATA applauds this investment and welcomes all of the young people who will find successful careers and provide for their families through trucking.”
NWACC’s CDL training program is the result of a $288,700 Regional Workforce Grant from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. In February 2022, the program began enrolling students for 160 hours of classroom instruction and in-cab training.
