NFPA Awards 20 Fluid Power Scholarships

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded 20 $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power related fields of study.

A minimum GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0, 500-word essay, and letter of recommendation were required from each applicant. The NFPA Foundation’s goal is to help graduating high school students, and individuals enrolled in community colleges, technical schools and universities pursue their academic interests in fluid power.

The following students were awarded a $2,000 Fluid Power Scholarship:

• Adam Kaszok, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Ailey Smith, University of Florida
• Anna Aler, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Athena Shier, University of South Carolina-Columbia
• Austin Hinkley, University of Michigan
• Bryson Love, South Dakota State University
• Christian Fain, Auburn University
• Colin Willits, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Ethan Wang, Colorado University-Boulder
• Evan Garner, Ohio State University
• James Meggitt, Iowa State University
• Kaden Semlow, Cedarville University
• Kaedyn Peterson-Rucker, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Robert Mackey Memorial Award)
• Kayden Brant, Brigham Young University (Raymond F. Hanley Memorial Award)
• Michael Castiglia, University of Central Florida
• Nicole Wu, Ohlone College
• Sarah Witte, University of Arizona

Thomas Wanke was a monumental figure in fluid power, active for more than 50 years and influencing generations of fluid power engineers through his work at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, its Fluid Power Institute, and with the National Fluid Power Association. To ensure that his positive impact on fluid power education continues to be felt, the NFPA Education and Technology Foundation administers the Tom Wanke Legacy Fund.

To honor his memory, the following students were selected to receive a $2,000 Tom Wanke Legacy Fund Award:

• Emily Bolin, Grace College
• Evan Fender, Wright State University
• Riley Mack, Garden City Community College

We want to thank the NFPA Scholarship Review Committee: Bill Haley of FORCE America, BJ Wagner of the International Fluid Power Society, Bob Hammond of Deltrol Fluid Products, Brittany Kulka of Husco, Bradlee Dittmer of IMI Norgren, Caleb Vickers of Power Systems, Inc. of Florida, Charles Werdehoff of IMI Norgren, Charles DiVincenzo of Bucher Hydraulics, Daniel Hurst of SKF USA, Edgar Torres of Bucher Hydraulics, Frank Langro of Festo, Gabriel Schatko of Exotic Automation & Supply, Greg Johnson of Hydra-Power Systems, Holden Galvan of Permco, John Falcon of ROSS Controls, Jonathan Steigerwald of Gates, Jose Solorio Cervantes of Parker Hannifin, Josh Scarbrough of IFP Motion Solutions Inc., Jyotsna Phadke of Vestas, Karen Carroll of ROSS Controls, Michael Cook of Trelleborg Sealing Solutions, Mike Betz of Danfoss, Neil Ferguson of SPX FLOW, Robby Haun of Festo, Rowan Leehue of McElroy Manufacturing, Spencer Tiegs of Milwaukee Tool, Steve Downey of Hydraulex, Thomas Blansett of the International Fluid Power Society, and Tom Peterson of Husco.

Many of these students will be seeking internships or full-time jobs in the future, so please keep them in mind for your hiring needs. Watch for future NFPA News articles, where we will highlight the accomplishments of each applicant.

If you would like to be a judge for next year’s NFPA scholarship programs, please contact Haley Nemeth at hnemeth@nfpa.com.