The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association’s Educational Foundation has awarded $29,000 in scholarships to 11 high school and college students. Students were selected during the Wood Industry Conference in San Antonio.

For a number of years, WMIA’s Educational Foundation has awarded scholarships who want to study, and eventually pursue a career in, wood technology, machinery, and related fields. To date, the Foundation has provided nearly $300,000 to assist talented students with furthering their educational and career goals.

During this year’s Woodworking Industry Conference (WIC), in San Antonio, TX, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees selected 11 high school and college students to receive a total of $29,000 in scholarships. The 2015 scholarship recipients are:

• Chase Eller, Carrollton, Texas, a sophomore at Pittsburg State University;

• Sam Galliart, Hutchinson, Kansas, a sophomore at Pittsburg State University;

• Jonathan Hamilton, Carrollton, Texas, a sophomore at Pittsburg State University;

• Tyler Johnson-Konst, Salem, OR, a graduating senior from North Salem High School;

• Tyler Knobbe, North Branch, MN, a sophomore at Hennepin Technical College;

• Avenue Meyers, Salem, OR, a graduating senior from North Salem High School;

• Caitlyn Moss, Cleveland Heights, OH, a junior at Cleveland Institute of Art;

• Moriah Ross, Meade, KS, a graduating senior from Meade High School;

• Ezra Schier, Granton, WI, a student at Fox Valley Technical College;

• Brett Stickler, Belton, MO, a junior at Pittsburg State University; and

• Mark Welle, Milford, IA, a junior at Pittsburg State University

“In assessing the Scholarship Award applicants, WMIA’s Education Committee uses a blend of criteria to search for the winners. Ranging from a student’s own expression of their passion to have a career in the

Wood Industry, to their professor’s and employer’s references and opinions of the same, to their academic success, the evaluation is thorough and oriented to benefit the student winners and our industry alike,” remarked Jason Howell, president of Michael Weinig, Inc., and WMIA’s Education Committee Chair. “This year’s scholarship applicant evaluations yielded awards in a total amount of $29,000 to be dispersed to 11 high quality candidates. WMIA is very proud of this annual deliverable to our industry and with this year’s award it brings our Scholarship Foundation total to nearly $300,000!”

The WMIA Educational Foundation is supported by contributions from business groups and individuals in the woodworking industry, and the International Woodworking Fair (IWF). Contributions can be accepted at any time and in any amount, and are tax deductible. WMIA recognizes major contributors to the educational foundation with a special engraved plaque at the annual Woodworking Industry Conference. Major contributors are those persons, companies or organizations contributing a one-time or total donation of $1,500 or more. For information on contributing to the WMIA Educational Foundation, contact Larry Hoffer at [email protected].

About WMIA

The Woodworking Machinery Industry Association (WMIA) is a trade association representing importers and distributors of woodworking machinery and ancillary equipment in North America. Founded in 1977, WMIA is the recognized voice of importers and distributors and a vital communications link between suppliers and the many manufacturers of wood products in North America. For more information, visit www.wmia.org.

source: WMIA