Patrick Bucksot of New Bern, North Carolina, was awarded an occupational safety and health scholarship from Columbia Southern University.

“Throughout my career, I have been blessed with many opportunities to help create a safer work environment,” said Bucksot. “Having an associate degree in occupational safety and health will take me to the next level with regard to being able to help me and my coworkers work safe and to train others in workplace safety.”

Each year, CSU offers two safety scholarships that cover up to 60 credit hours toward one online degree program. The scholarship will be applied to the Bucksot’s tuition for up to three years or until the completion of the associate degree.

During his almost 30 years at the mine, Bucksot, has worked on various safety projects and is vested in the welfare and safety of his coworkers. He is currently employed at a North Carolina phosphate mine.

“Spending many hours of my own time to make AutoCAD drawings of safety improvements and then seeing the implementation through was well worth the effort and investment because the end result was people being given a safer place to work,” said Bucksot.

Outside of work, Bucksot has provided shelter and support for families in need and even helped to create “Special Needs Baseball,” a league for disabled children and adults.  

“We have been going strong now for 15 years. We serve children as young as four and adults into their 70s,” he said. “Our league serves over 125 athletes, their families, group homes and the various churches that provide volunteers for each game.”