The PMMI Education & Training Foundation provided more than $110,000 in 2011 to further the education of students and PMMI member company employees, according to Chuck Yuska, president & CEO, PMMI.

“We’re investing in the future of the packaging and processing workforce,” says Yuska.

He notes the funds serve three broad purposes — educational scholarships, travel scholarships for students attending PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011, and member employee tuition reimbursements — and included scholarship monies awarded to the winning teams in the third PMMI Packaging Solution Student Contest at PACK EXPO.

“Educational opportunities build enthusiasm as much as they build knowledge and skills. PMMI is glad to help provide assistance with tuition and books, but we’re even more pleased to contribute toward more engaged, excited members of the packaging and processing community, whether they’re new graduates or seasoned veterans,” Yuska says.

Students at PACK EXPO Las Vegas

PMMI provided $35,000 in student travel scholarships to help over 300 students experience the PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011, and donated exhibit space to the schools exhibiting in the Education & Workforce Development Pavilion at PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2011: Cal Poly, Clemson University, Conestoga College, Hennepin Technical College, Michigan State University, Purdue University at Calumet, Rochester Institute of Technology, San Jose State University, University of Florida — Gainesville, University of Illinois at Champaign, University of Wisconsin—Stout, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College.

The winning teams of the Packaging Solution Student Contest took home a total $7,000. Each team’s prize was divided among its members:

University of Florida — Gainesville: $4,000
Cal Poly: $2,000
Purdue University at Calumet: $1,000

Mark Garvey Scholarship

Michigan State University students Alison Schuitema and John Ferguson each received half of the $2,500 Mark Garvey Scholarship in 2011.

Claude Breeden Scholarships

The 2011 Claude Breeden Scholarships distributed $44,000 among several schools, including:
Alexandria Technical College, Cal Poly, Central Community College, Clemson University, Dunwoody College of Technology, Greenville Area Technical College, Hennepin Technical College, Michigan State, Pinellas Technical Education Centers, Purdue University at Calumet, Reading Area Technical College, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin—Stout, University of Florida — Gainesville, and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College.

C. Glenn Davis Scholarship

Robert Solber, who attends Hennepin Technical College, received the $1,000 C. Glenn Davis Scholarship for 2011.

A.R. (Art) Schaefer Scholarship

Reading Area Community College students Mark Pursell and Bradley Kuhn  will share the 2011 A.R. (Art) Schaefer Scholarship, which totals $1,500.

Bill Zito Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by PMMI member company Enercon Industries Corporation and administered by PMMI. The scholarship recently awarded $1,050 each to Anthony Abts from the University of Wisconsin—Stout and William Wooi from Clemson University.

PMMI Member Tuition Reimbursement

PMMI members claimed $27,000 in continuing education funds in 2011.

Educators, students and PMMI members and students interested in taking advantage of PMMI scholarship programs can learn more under the Education tab at PMMI.org, or contact Danny Martinez, education & workforce development coordinator, PMMI: 703.243.8555; dmartinez@pmmi.org.