Four students at Pennsylvania College of Technology have received $1,500 scholarships provided by the Plastics Pioneers Association and administered by the Plastics Institute of America.
Each Penn College student who was awarded a Plastics Pioneers scholarship submitted a resume, transcript, list of extracurricular activities, letter of recommendation and an essay describing his or her interest in a career in plastics, said Anne K. Soucy, assistant professor of plastics technology at Penn College.
All of the students are enrolled in the Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology bachelor-degree program at Penn College. They are: Lucas W. Mellinger, Newville; Tymon J. Moore, Jersey Shore; Desiree A. Nichols, Williamsport; and Michael J. Santini, Plumville.
Founded in 1942, the Plastics Pioneers Association is a society that fosters friendship among long-standing members of the plastics industry. It manages an endowment fund and uses the proceeds to award annual scholarship grants to help qualified students pay for their education. The association's members each have a minimum of 30 years' employment in the plastics industry and have made significant contributions in the areas of new technology, education, organizational leadership, polymer development and processing-machinery innovation.
The Plastics Institute of America is a nonprofit organization providing an array of educational programs, including courses for new and experienced workers, short courses and seminars for industry professionals, research grants and undergraduate scholarships for students planning a career in plastics.
Members of the Lowell, Mass.-based institute include suppliers of materials and additives, equipment manufacturers, producers and consumers of plastics products, trade publications, educators and government officials.