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Scholarships for Woodworking Manufacturing Students

Are you a student who is interested in studying woodworking in college? The WMIA is here to help. Every year, we give out college scholarships to students who are want to study wood technology, machinery and related fields.

The WMIA Educational Foundation is now accepting applications for its scholarship program. The Foundation provides scholarships for talented and worthy students seeking careers in wood technology, machinery and related fields.

Click here to download an application.

Interested in donating to the WMIA Scholarship fund, click here for information.

ELIGIBILITY

Any student or college-bound individual is eligible to apply. Scholarship candidates must have graduated from high school or its equivalent before July 1st of the year in which they will use the scholarship. They must have sufficient academic records to be accepted by an accredited college, junior college or technical institute. Students already in college are also eligible to apply.

There are no restrictions based upon the employment status or the sex, race, creed or nationality of the candidate. Previous winners are eligible for a second award.

SELECTION

Academic success, interest, special abilities and other factors are considered by judges to select their choice of scholarship recipients. Judges will give special consideration to candidates who plan careers in wood technology and related fields.

The Board of Trustees for the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association Educational Foundation, Inc. judges all candidates.

APPLICATION

The scholarship applicant must complete a Scholarship Application Form and mail it, along with attachments, to the WMIA Scholarship Foundation (address on back page). The attachments which must accompany the completed form are:

· A one-page letter telling us about your future aspirations and what qualifies you as a WMIA scholarship candidate.

·A transcript of grades and credits through the most recent grading period (high school applicants) or transcripts covering a minimum of the previous two scholastic years.

· A letter of recommendation from an employer or other professional with whom you have worked.

· A letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor or other educational professional.

CONTRIBUTIONS

The WMIA Educational Foundation is supported by contributions from business groups and individuals in the woodworking industry, and by the International Woodworking and Furniture Supply Fair — U.S.A. Contributions can be accepted at any time and in any amount. Contributions are tax deductible. Appreciated stocks, bonds and property should be considered for donation purposes. Consult your accountant or financial counselor to determine the best personal and business contribution for you.

WMIA recognizes major contributors to the educational foundation with a special engraved plaque at the Annual Woodworking Industry Conference. Major contributors are those persons, companies or organizations contributing a one-time or total donation of $1,500 or more.

Contributions can be made in recognition of special events or in memory of deceased friends. Single contributions of $25,000 or more will be honored by an annual scholarship named after the contributor.

The completed Scholarship Application form, with attachments, must be received by WMIA no later than March 8th.

2012 Scholarship Winners

Tyler Hruby

Nathan Hunsberger

Brett Stickler

Gabriel Hayes

Casey Butt

Christopher Cowles

Michael Morrissey

2011 Scholarship Winners

Gabriel L. Hayes

My name is Gabe Hayes, I am 21 years old and a senior at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. I was born and raised the youngest of six children in Kingman, Kansas, a small town west of Wichita. My interest in woodworking began very early in life when my mom would take me out to the shop to watch my dad and brothers work when I was still a baby. My dad was a high school shop teacher for years, and I credit him for pretty much everything I know about woodworking. I was active in 4-H from the time I was very young until I graduated from high school, and took projects to the county and State Fair almost every year. I participated in Woodworking, Horticulture, Rocketry, Photography, and also was a project leader for Woodworking and Rocketry.

Growing up, I helped my parents operate their three acre truck garden, and took produce to Wichita to sell every Saturday in the summer. I met many diverse people at the market and learned how important being able to communicate with different people is. When I turned 14 I began working for my uncle on the farm, and have continued doing so every year up to this current summer. Farm work is very hard but I gained a strong work ethic, and learned to be very self-reliant, and I do not regret a single minute of the time I spent there.

I graduated from Kingman High School in 2008 and am in my fourth year of school at Pittsburg State, but am only entering my second in the Wood Technology field. I spent two years studying Mechanical Engineering Technology before I transferred to Wood Tech. Currently my major is in Wood Technology with an emphasis in Wood Product Manufacturing, and I minor in Mechanical Engineering Technology. I am very happy to be studying a field that lets me do something I truly love, and I’m very appreciative to the WMIA for awarding me this scholarship.

Jeffrey Scott Hillger

I am Jeffrey Scott Hillger from Peebles, Ohio. I graduated from Peebles High School in 2010. I am now a student at the University of Rio Grande where I am studying Fine Woodworking Technology. Growing up, I worked with wood with my father and I am now learning how to make high end furniture at Rio Grande. I currently play soccer for the University of Rio Grande and will graduate in the spring of 2012 with my second associates degree. WMIA’s scholarship award is very much appreciated.

Nathan J. Hunsberger

Currently, I am enrolled at Pittsburg State University in Kansas entering my second semester, where I am majoring in Wood Technology. Prior to being at Pittsburg State, I attended Hesston College in Kansas and obtained my Associates Degree in 2006. I graduated in 2004 from Juniata High School in Pennsylvania. I grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania where I began my wood career with building feed troughs and repairing fences. After high school, I moved to Kansas for my education, but after attaining my Associates Degree, I decided to work and travel while deciding how to further my education.

After traveling and much thought, I decided to pursue a career in woodworking. My decision was influenced by my many years with a local company, Kropf Lumber Inc. located in Hesston, Kansas. During my time at Kropf, I learned a lot about the industry and became more interested in woodworking as a career. I am currently doing an internship at Kropf Lumber for the summer. I am honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award and look forward to improving my skills as a woodworker. Thank you WMIA for the scholarship.

Michael R. Morrissey

My name is Michael Morrissey. I graduated from Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona this year. I have spent the past two years working in my high school wood shop. I was on the wrestling team all four years of high school and also pole vaulted for three years and hope to continue to vault in college. I have been involved in my church helping out running the sound for the band. In the fall I will be attending Pittsburg State University where I will be studying to get a wood technology degree. I feel that Pittsburg State will help me to get a my degree in finishing. Thank you WMIA for providing me with this scholarship.

Samantha M. Wilga

My name is Samantha Wilga from Hiawatha, Kansas. Hiawatha is a small town located in Northeast Kansas known as the city of beautiful maples. I took woodworking in my junior and senior years of high school where my teacher motivated me to incorporate my artistic side into my wood projects. I enjoyed this so much that I researched where I could take this to the next level. This lead me to Pittsburg State University where I will be attending this coming fall to pursue a B. S. degree in Wood Technology. WMIA awarding me with this scholarship will help greatly.

WMIA College Scholarships FAQs

Q:Who is eligible to apply for the college scholarships?

Any person is eligible to apply who is planning to enroll in a wood science or wood technology program at an accredited two year or four year technical school, college or university in North America. Previous winners are eligible for a second award, but must reapply.

Candidates must have graduated from high school or its equivalent before July 1st of the year in which they will use the scholarship. They must have sufficient academic records to be accepted by an accredited college, university or technical institute. Students already in college are also eligible to apply.

Q:What do you look for in a candidate?

Academic success, interest, special abilities and other factors are considered by judges to select their choice of scholarship recipients. Judges will give special consideration to the degree in which career choice could have an application to the woodworking industry.

Q:How do I apply?

Scholarship applicants must complete a Scholarship Application Form and mail it, along with all attachments, to the WMIA Scholarship Foundation:

WMIA Educational Foundation
27 Main Street, Suite 1

New Milford, CT 06776

The application, transcripts and list of recommendations should be received by the WMIA by March 8.

The attachments that must accompany the completed form are:

• A one-page letter telling us about your future aspirations and what qualifies you as a WMIA scholarship candidate.

• A transcript of grades and credits through the most recent grading period (high-school applicants) or transcripts covering a minimum of the previous two scholastic years.

• A letter of recommendation from an employer or other professional with whom you have worked.

• A letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor or other educational professional.

These items MUST arrive at the WMIA by March 8, 2013

Q:Can I re-apply?

Yes, you can re-apply - even if you have been awarded a scholarship in the past. However, you need to submit a new application, along with the required support materials. Your packet will be evaluated with the current pool of applicants.

Colleges that offer woodworking programs

Want to find a college or university that offers classes in woodworking, furniture making, wood science or related fields? Check out our list of schools by state. Know of a college that has a woodworking program that's not in our list?