Staff report
Charles L. Shor, president and CEO of former Duro Bag Manufacturing campany which was based in Covington, has announced a $25 million investment in scholarships over the coming decade. The investment creates two scholarship programs: the Charles L. Shor Epilepsy Scholarship, which pairs scholarships with wraparound support for students living with epilepsy; and the Charles L. Shor Trades Scholarship, supporting students entering the skilled trades.
Building on more than $2.1 million already awarded since 2025, the effort represents one of the largest private scholarship commitments of its kind.
Supporting Students Living with Epilepsy
Students living with epilepsy often face challenges beyond tuition, including medical costs, unexpected disruptions and gaps in support that can derail their education. The Charles L. Shor Epilepsy Scholarship addresses these challenges by combining both financial awards and wraparound support, including emergency financial assistance, if needed, to help students stay enrolled and reach graduation.
“Having lived with epilepsy for much of my adult life, I understand how deeply it can affect a person’s confidence, independence, and sense of what is possible,” said Shor. “Epilepsy may create obstacles, but it should never define a young person’s future. Through this scholarship program, we want to help remove some of the financial barriers students and families face and give young people living with epilepsy greater freedom to pursue their education, their goals, and the life they want to build.”
Building the Next Generation of Skilled Tradespeople
The Charles L. Shor Trades Scholarship will support students pursuing careers in the skilled trades, reflecting the Charles L. Shor Foundation’s long-standing commitment to workforce development and strong communities.
“For too long, a four-year college degree has been treated as a primary measure of success. Skilled trades offer a clear path to a credential, a career, and wages that can support a middle-class life, a distinct goal of our Founder Charlie Shor,” said Gerry Otto, CEO of The Charles L. Shor Family of Companies. “Our goal is to help more students see these careers as a first-choice opportunity and eliminate financial barriers standing between a motivated young person and the training needed to build a successful future.”
Program details, including eligibility and application information, will be announced in late 2026 and early 2027.
The Charles L. Shor Scholarships are only one of the newest efforts in Shor’s broader philanthropy, which is dedicated to two causes: people living with epilepsy and the skilled trades. Each scholarship extends the work of the organization devoted to that cause.
Epilepsy Wellness Advocates was founded by Shor, who has lived with epilepsy for much of his adult life. The organization grew from his conviction that health challenges can affect not only physical well-being, but also independence, family life, emotional stability, education and work. Learn more at epilepsywellnessadvocates.com.
The Charles L. Shor Foundation invests in human potential, data-driven insight, education, employment pathways and community initiatives to help individuals and families overcome barriers, build stability and live full, thriving lives. Guided by its commitment to rebuilding the American middle class, the Foundation helps people enter, sustain and advance within the middle class through skilled trades, durable manufacturing careers and practical economic mobility pathways. Learn more at clsfoundation.com.
Shor, in partnership with SME Foundation, recently announced major investments in Ludlow High School and in Covington’s Holmes High School, creating state-of-art, skills-focused laboratories aiming at preparing the future workforce for jobs.
See those Northern Kentucky Tribune stories here:
SME Prime at Holmes – ‘learning jobs’