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The Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) student scholarship award winners for 2011 were recently announced at the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) Expo Americas 2011 in Baltimore, Md. The scholarship awards provide tuition expenses at an accredited college, university or technical school for students who are interested in a career in the specialty fabrics industry. The recipients:
IFF Student Scholarship recipient Vinitkumar Singh is a student at Texas Tech University, pursuing a Master’s Degree in environmental toxicology. He is a research assistant in the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech, holds a Master’s Degree in environmental toxicology, and hopes to develop specialty nonwovens for chemical and biological protection. Singh’s scholarship is funded by the Industrial Fabrics Foundation.
IFF Student Scholarship recipient Morgan Bennett is a student at Auburn University, and is pursuing a degree in polymer and fiber engineering. She is senior warden for the Lambda Chapter of the Phi Psi Professional Textile Fraternity, as well as the Emergency Services Officer for the Civil Air Patrol’s Auburn Composite Squadron. With her degree in engineering she hopes to research and develop materials that can more adequately protect fire fighters. Bennett’s scholarship is funded by the Industrial Fabrics Foundation.
IFAI Member Scholarship recipient Maggie Will is pursuing a degree in architecture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, N.C. She serves as student council president as well as captain of both the varsity soccer and softball teams, and hopes to own her own architecture firm. Will was sponsored by Custom Marine Canvas of Noank, Ct., and the scholarship was funded by the Industrial Fabrics Foundation.
Architect Student Scholarship recipient Simon Chiu is a student at the University of Southern California, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in architecture. He hopes to go on to research, development and teaching of fabric structure design. The scholarship was funded by the Fabric Structures Association, a division of IFAI.
Fabric Graphics Association Member Scholarship recipient Noah Thompson is a student at University of North Florida pursuing a degree in graphic design with a minor in Spanish. He has served as captain of the track and field team, and has participated in community service initiatives in Mexico City. Thompson was sponsored by Ad Graphics of Pompano Beach, Fla.; the scholarship was funded by the Fabric Graphics Association, a division of IFAI.
Tent Rental Division Member Scholarship recipient Becca Barth is a student at Bowling Green State University, pursuing a degree in communications and business. She is involved in the National Honor Society and was a volunteer for the Red Cross and Exceptional Olympics. With her degree in communications and business she hopes to develop public relations within the specialty fabrics industry. Barth was sponsored by Snyder Manufacturing in Dover, Ohio, and the scholarship was funded by the Tent Rental Division, a division of IFAI.
Marine Fabricators Association Member Scholarship recipient Larissa LeClair is pursuing a degree in accounting at Towson University. She has been involved with the Towson Equestrian Club as well as working for Carriage House Canvas of Betterton, Md. She hopes to own her own shop one day. Larissa was sponsored by Carriage House Canvas; the scholarship was funded by the Marine Fabricators Association, a division of IFAI.
Applications and criteria for IFF scholarships will be available in early January 2012 at www.indfabfnd.com, with awards going toward 2012-13 school year tuition. IFF is a separately incorporated nonprofit 501(a)(3) organization dedicated to education and research in specialty fabrics. For information on IFF or its scholarship programs, contact managing director Ruth Stephens at rastephens@ifai.com.
Member scholarships are available to employees and family members of employees of companies that are members of the Industrial Fabrics Association International and/or the Fabric Graphics Association, the Marine Fabricators Association and the Tent Rental Division.
Financial need, academic achievement, community service and studies related to a career in the specialty fabrics industry will be considered in the selection process.