MESA, Arizona – February 16, 2016
Mesa Community College student Peichi Jiang recently received a $500 scholarship from 2GG Apparel for her winning golf attire design. The award was presented by Russ Ortiz, a retired Major League baseball pitcher and Founder/CEO of 2GG Apparel, a men's and women's golf apparel brand that gives 100 percent of its net profits to charitable organizations.
Jiang, originally educated as an engineer, enrolled at MCC in the Fashion Merchandising & Design to learn illustration and construction arts. She finds her engineering skills are helpful because fashion design employs many similar logistics in pattern making and construction of garments. Jiang said she is pleased that her design was chosen by Ortiz and excited that her design will be manufactured and worn by PGA and LPGA players.
"This scholarship will help me take more classes here at MCC in fashion and that is where I learn all the details of the industry,” Jiang said.
MCC Fashion Merchandising & Design Program Director Evonne Bowling said this is the second year that 2GG has awarded scholarships to MCC students. Ortiz, who played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, formed his company because he wanted to find something meaningful to do with his time after his playing career. 2GG allows him to connect his love for golf with his passion for helping those in need.
Ortiz, a Mesa resident, contacted Bowling because of the College’s reputation for training in fashion design and merchandising. He began a student scholarship program at MCC out of his desire to give back to the community in which he lives. Ortiz and his company representatives make the final decisions over which designs are chosen as scholarship winners.
Bowling said the most exciting part of this competition has been that Russ has offered Jiang an internship to work with design and production specialists in his company.
“I would like to thank Mr. Russ Ortiz for his generosity in offering yearly scholarships through a design competition for MCC fashion design students,” Bowling said. “Seeing a student’s design created for retail sale and worn by PGA and LPGA players that are sponsored by 2GGApparel is just an incredible experience.”
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Contact
Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its service-learning, civic engagement and innovative educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and lifelong learning. Host to nearly 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 195 degrees and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations. MCC’s student body hails predominantly from the East Valley of Phoenix and includes Veteran, American Indian and International students who enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC is one of 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. The District also includes the Maricopa Corporate College and two skill centers. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association (NCA) http://www.ncahlc.org
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.