Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship Winner—Brendan McCluskey

Programs like the Fluid Power Scholarships are made possible in part by the generous support of industry volunteers as well as NFPA Education and Technology Foundation and Pascal Society donors. Support these efforts by making a donation.

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded fourteen $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power technology fields of study.

Here’s one of the winners, Brendan McCluskey. He is attending Georgia Institute of Technology and is enrolled in the physics program. We asked Brendan about winning the scholarship…

What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?
Being selected as a Fluid Power Scholarship winner means so much to me. Academically, I’m greatly humbled to know that this scholarship is a testament to my hard work over the last four years and that my effort has been recognized. Financially, it is very comforting to know that I’ll have a few more dollars for books, supplies, etc., which will relieve some of the stress of moving to college. Thank you, NFPA!

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?
My first experience with fluid power took place in 8th grade during the NFPA Fluid Power Challenge. I absolutely loved the opportunity to implement my creative skills, engage my engineering abilities, and work together as a team. The Fluid Power Challenge made science and engineering fun, and it sparked my interest in the STEM field.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?
I will be studying physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I aspire to earn a Ph. D. and have a career in research as an industrial scientist or college professor. Today, my vision is to study fission and fusion nuclear reactors. I believe that researching and understanding the fluid dynamics of these systems will be crucial in the development of this technology, and a deeper understanding of the fluid dynamics will lead to more efficient and improved fluid power systems.

The Foundation’s goal is to help individuals enrolled in high schools, technical colleges, and engineering schools pursue their interests in fluid power. We are currently accepting applications for the 2021 Fluid Power Scholarships until March 18, 2021. For further information about the Fluid Power Scholarship program, contact Amy Zignego, Workforce Program Manager, at azignego@nfpa.com.