Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship Winner—Cole Stephan

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. 

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

Here’s one of the winners, Cole Stephan. He is attending Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, majoring in Engineering Technology and Management. We asked Cole about winning the scholarship . . .

What does winning this Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?
Winning a Fluid Power Scholarship means a lot to me personally. I take pride in the work that I have been able to accomplish at Ohio University, and I never thought I would be recognized at a national level for my work in hydraulics. The scholarship has motivated me in the lab and in the classroom. I am excited to share my passion for hydraulics with the incoming students next semester.

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?
My major, Engineering Technology and Management, at Ohio University has the requirement of a hydraulics and pneumatics course. I discovered my passion for hydraulics in our Parker Hannifin lab and through their equipment. Upon completion of that course, my professor, Dr. Yuqiu You offered me a research/teaching assistant position. I found that this path through Ohio University and my passion for the field is what drove me to learn about fluid power.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?
Ultimately, I do not know where my career will take me. I plan to work with a company that is invested in the fluid power industry and that I could apply my knowledge and experiences from research too. I am excited to join the workforce and to make a difference in the fluid power industry.

The Foundation’s goal is to help individuals enrolled in high schools, technical colleges, and engineering schools pursue their interests in fluid power. For further information on the scholarships, contact Amy Zignego, Workforce Development Manager, at azignego@nfpa.com.