Cliff Markham Memorial Machinist Scholarship

CHESAPEAKE, VA- Sumitomo Machinery Corporation of America has established a scholarship fund at the College of The Albemarle Foundation in memory of Cliff Markham. The scholarship will support students enrolled in the Computer Integrated Machining degree, certificate, or diploma program.

Cliff Markham was a College of The Albemarle (COA) Machinist Graduate who worked for Sumitomo for over 27 years. The signing, which was held at Sumitomo’s Chesapeake location included coworkers, family members, and COA staff. Cliff not only worked in the field of machining he also served as an ambassador and joined the Machine Shop Managers with on-campus visits to meet and recruit students in the Machining Technology program. 

Solomon Gearbox SEO

“Cliff was not a man of many words, he was a dedicated employee who came to work every day and led by example and we are setting up an endowed scholarship in his name, The Cliff Markham Memorial Machinist Scholarship Fund”, stated James Solomon, President & CEO Sumitomo Drive Technologies. The scholarship was established with an initial $15,000 and coworkers, friends and family are able to contribute to the fund.

The memorial was heavy on the hearts of many as Cliff’s mother, Diane Markham noted, “Cliff’s work ethic, his dry sense of humor and the many stories shared, make his life significant. I always knew he was special, what I didn’t know was that so many of his coworkers thought he was special too.”

For more information on the Cliff Markham Memorial Machinist Scholarship, please contact College of The Albemarle Foundation, 252-335-0821 ext. 2263 or [email protected].

Photo caption: James D. Solomon, President & CEO Sumitomo Drive Technologies