CCAI Finishing Education Foundation Awards 2020 Student Scholarships

The Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI, Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) has announced this year’s scholarship recipients — this year through its Finishing Education Foundation, which focuses on providing education and training for the advancement of the industrial finishing and coating industry. Since 1992, CCAI has awarded scholarship money from the CCAI Matt Heuertz Scholarship Fund to students enrolled in programs that could lead to a career in coatings and finishing. 2020 marks the first year the scholarships are being awarded through CCAI’s Finishing Education Foundation (CCAIFEF), a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.

This year’s scholarship recipients

Applications from qualified students were reviewed by the CCAIFEF Board of Directors who determined this year’s scholarship winners. The foundation ultimately awarded a total of $14,500 in scholarships to ten students.

“As always, we received applications from an impressive group of students,” says Sheila LaMothe, CCAIFEF’s executive director. “What is particularly special about this year’s award winners is that in addition to pursuing studies in areas related to industrial finishing, they already have experience working in the industry through internships, co-ops, or job shadowing.”

In addition to cash awards sent to the student’s school account, each scholarship recipient receives a one-year student membership in CCAI which allows them to gain significant exposure to the industry and benefit from the multitude of resources available through the association and its chapters.

“We are excited to follow the career paths of these students as they are the future of the finishing and coatings industry,” LaMonth adds.

Recipients of the 2020 Matt Heuertz Scholarship include:

• Genna Andreae, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
• Andrew Drake, University of Louisville
• Ashley Haus, University of St. Thomas
• William Martin, University of Cincinnati
• Austen Pawlaczyk, University of Toledo
• Sydney Preston, University of Cincinnati
• 

  Roeser

  Casey Roeser, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 

  Rupert

  Mark Rupert, University of Cincinnati
• 

  Schmitt

  Celine Schmitt, University of Cincinnati
• 

  Schreiber

  Emily Schreiber, Miami University

CCAI has also awarded its CCAI Chapter Scholarships, and in addition to the National awards, the Twin Cities, West Michigan and Wisconsin CCAI chapters awarded approximately $20,000 through their own scholarships for students in their regions.

CCAIFEF accepts scholarship applications each year beginning in January. Applications can be submitted online at www.ccaiweb.com.

CCAI’s Finishing Education Foundation

CCAI’s Finishing Education Foundation (CCAIFEF) was established in November 2018. The purpose of the foundation is to develop and provide educational and training opportunities to improve skills at all levels of the industrial finishing and coatings industry. CCAIFEF also works to develop educational partnerships with other organizations in support of the industry.

“It’s no secret that there is an ongoing and expansive need for skilled employees in manufacturing, a need that extends to industrial finishing and coatings,” states LaMothe. “It’s CCAI’s long-standing dedication to providing essential education and training for our industry that led to the creation of the CCAI Finishing Education Foundation. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization, CCAIFEF is uniquely positioned to take finishing education to the next level by providing the necessary financial support to develop and expand programs that benefit our industry today and build a strong foundation for the future.”  

Programs that benefit from support of the Foundation include Finishing Curriculum Development, Finishing Lab Development, Women in Finishing, and CCAI National and Chapter Scholarship programs.

The CCAI and CCAIFEF work closely together to develop programming and secure funding to support the foundation’s mission. Leading this effort is CCAIFEF’s Board of Directors:

• Sam Woehler, George Koch Sons, LLC - President
• Dr. Victoria Gelling, Sherwin-Williams - Vice President
• James Malloy, Retired - Secretary/Treasurer
• Frank Laster, A1 Paint, Powder and Sandblasting - Director
• Patricia Hendrick, Retired - Director
• Ron Lum, Coral Chemical Co. - Director

To kick-start the Foundation’s mission, CCAIFEF has launched a Founding Member Campaign. To learn how to become a founding member and contribute towards building a financial foundation for CCAI educational programs, contact Sheila LaMothe at 859-356-1030 or by email at sheila@goyermgt.com. Contributions are tax deductible and can be applied to a specific program or to the CCAIFEF general fund.