LACEY, Wash.–O Bee Credit Union announced a $50,000 endowment for the O Bee Brewers & Distillers of Tomorrow Scholarship for South Puget Sound Community College students involved in studies on the craft brewing and distilling industries.  

O Bee Credit Union was founded in 1955 to serve Olympic Brewery.

As the endowment matures over the next few years, the credit union said it is also funding a yearly scholarship of $2,000 through 2027, starting with a scholarship that will be awarded in 2025. 

“While the industry has evolved, what hasn’t changed is O Bee’s dedication to the brewers and distillers of Washington,” said CEO Andrew Downin in a statement. “We’re proud to honor the region’s brewing heritage and support the next generation of brewers and distillers with this scholarship.” 

Not a Bad Campus

The credit union said the college’s Craft Brewing & Distilling program is located in the Tumwater Craft District, where students obtain hands-on learning in brewing science, operations, and business, useful for various roles in the field.