Three Earn National Scholarships From American Welding Society

Three Pennsylvania College of Technology students have been awarded national scholarships for 2007-08 from the American Welding Society.

Martin D. Denault, of Clarks Summit, was awarded the Matsuo Bridge Co., Ltd., of Japan Scholarship. The scholarship covers airfare, room and board, and per-diem allowances for a two- to three-week training opportunity at Matsuo Bridge Co.'s facilities and job sites in Japan in July or August.

Denault is a junior in the welding and fabrication engineering technology major. The scholarship is awarded to a junior, senior or graduate student pursuing a degree in civil engineering, welding engineering or welding engineering technology who has earned a 3.0 or higher overall grade-point average.

Matsuo Bridge Co. is one of Japan's leading fabricators of steel for bridges, buildings and other structures and is dedicated to international exchange.

Stephanie J. Irvine, of Garland, received the Donald F. Hastings Scholarship, which honors Hastings' more than 40 years of devotion to the welding industry. The $2,500 scholarship is awarded annually to one undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor's degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology and who demonstrates financial need.

Irvine is a freshman in Penn College's welding and fabrication engineering technology major.

Westley A. Smith, of Mifflinburg, earned the Edward J. Brady Scholarship, which honors Brady for his entrepreneurial spirit, knowledge, perseverance, vision and respect for welding. During his career, which began in 1933, Brady developed many innovations to improve arc welding.

The $2,500 scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor's degree in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. To be eligible, students must submit a letter of reference indicating previous hands-on welding experience and provide proof of financial need.

Smith is a freshman in the welding and fabrication engineering technology major.

The scholarships are administered by the AWS Foundation, which was established by the American Welding Society to support programs that ensure the growth and development of the welding industry through strengthening research and educational opportunities in welding and related industries.

For more information about the academic programs offered by the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies at Penn College, call (570) 327-4520, e-mail or visit online .