PCI Names 2023 Scholarship Recipients

The Powder Coating Institute (PCI) awarded its 2023 scholarships to students who are studying subjects that can lead to a career in powder coating. PCI manages the scholarship program, which solicits applications from students at educational institutions throughout the country.

PCI member companies also provide support to the scholarship program through corporate sponsorships. The corporate sponsors benefit by being involved in the selection process and investing in potential personnel from the pool of candidates. With continued support from corporate donors, the scholarship programs reaches a broad range of students and guides them in careers in the powder coating industry.

“PCI members are always looking for young, motivated talent to grow their businesses,” says PCI Executive Director Kevin Coursin. “As such, PCI is committed, along with our corporate partners, to provide the scholarship program for individuals that might be interested in working in the powder coating industry. With the addition of an eighth corporate scholarship this year, the total award dollars increased to $50,000.”

The PCI scholarship program continues to grow and promote the powder coating industry to the younger generations, which include students pursuing degrees in polymer science, manufacturing, engineering, business management and marketing.

“Each year, it becomes more challenging to select the recipients with the growing number of exceptional qualified applicants,” Coursin continues.

The 2023 PCI Scholarship Program awarded $50,000 in total, which includes donations of $5,000 from each of PCI’s eight corporate donors, including Axalta Coating Systems, Gema USA Inc., Henkel Corp., IFS Coatings, Nordson Corp., PPG, Sun Polymers and Therma-Tron-X Inc.

The growth of the scholarship program improves the potential of young scholars in the industry, and PCI says it is proud to be a part of the program. PCI is also grateful to the corporate donors who have helped increase the number of awards given.

PCI corporate scholarships include:

• PCI/Axalta Scholarship: Scott Andreae (University of Wisconsin - Stout)
• PCI/Gema Scholarship: Cameron Greeson (Purdue University)
• PCI/Henkel Corporation Scholarship: Haley Evenson (South Dakota State University)
• PCI/IFS Coatings Scholarship: Siavash Mansouri (North Dakota State University)
• PCI/Nordson Ken Kreeger Scholarship: Logan Bell (Bowling Green State University)
• PCI/PPG Scholarship: Shokoofeh Ghasemi (North Dakota State University)
• PCI/Sun Polymers Scholarship: Michael Odegaard (North Dakota State University)
• PCI/Therma-Tron-X Inc. Scholarship: Joseph Dahlgren (North Dakota State University)

PCI general scholarships include:

• Addison Boyette (University of Southern Mississippi)
• Tyler Kleinsasser (South Dakota School of Mines)
• Daniel Knecht (University of Cincinnati)
• Chameli Samarawickrema (North Dakota State University)

PCI’s website has more information about the 2023 recipients, including photos, and the application process for future scholarship opportunities.