UMass Dartmouth baseball player Eric Sylvia was awarded a $3,000 scholarship from Sheet Metal Workers Local 17, the union announced in an April 24 press release.

Sylvia, a recent graduate of Dartmouth High School, was among 26 recipients across New England awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships in the past week.

Funded by union members, the scholarship program has donated more than $1.9 million in scholarships to local students since 1983.

Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 Business Manager Bob Butler said that the scholarship program reflects the union's commitment to giving back.

"We're proud to create opportunity for hardworking students and help put them on the path to success," said Butler. "These scholarships are part of Local 17's commitment to giving back to the communities where our members live and work."

This year the union gave $500 to $16,000 to each student. Recipients hail from Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Scholarships were awarded based on performance on a state labor history exam or through a lottery drawing.