TEXTILES.ORG
Industrial Fabrics Foundation announces first recipient of annual award funded by
the Geosynthetic Materials Association
The Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) has
announced the recipient of the 2012 Geosynthetic Materials Association Member Scholarship, awarded annually to an
outstanding student who is employed by a GMA member
company or is related to an employee of a GMA member company.
The 2012 GMA Scholarship recipient is David Gaddy, a first-year student at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. He was sponsored for the scholarship by GMA member, Crown Resources LLC, of Toccoa, Ga.
The scholarship, funded by GMA and awarded through the IFF, is given to encourage career paths in
the geosynthetics specialty materials industry, according to an IFF press release. Both GMA and IFF
are associated with the industry trade group, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).
Gaddy has chosen a major in engineering and computer science, building on his interest in robotics
and software development. He has already completed requirements for Associate of Arts and Associate
of Science degrees at Greenville (S.C.) Technical
College simultaneously with his high school diploma, according to the release. In addition to
earning an Eagle Scout rank, Gaddy has participated in Youth Leadership training, was captain of his
high school robotics team, and co-captain of his high school academic team. He is also an
accomplished pianist.
GMA Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic achievement, community service,
financial need, and interest in a career in the specialty fabrics industry.
Applications for the 2013 GMA scholarship award will be available online in January 2013.
GMA is the central resource for information on geosynthetic materials. See www.gmanow.com for more information. GMA’s parent
organization, IFAI, is composed of member companies representing the international specialty fabrics
marketplace. Members’ products cover a broad spectrum of specialty fabrics and include fibers,
fabrics, end products, equipment, and hardware. IFAI is the largest and most comprehensive trade
association serving this industry. See www.ifai.com
The IFF is the non-profit 501(c)3 organization of the industrial fabrics industry, dedicated to
education and research in specialty fabrics. For more information visit www.indfabfnd.org or contact Ruth Stephens, IFF
managing director, +1 651 225 6545, rastephens@ifai.com.