ReEducate, ReEngineer, ReTool

2008 WMIA Scholarship Applications Now Available Click the poster above to download a printable version. Applications are now available for the 2008 WMIA Educational Foundation Scholarship. Scholarships offered by the WMIA range in value from $1,000 to $5,000 and are earmarked for talented and worthy students seeking careers in wood technology, machinery and related fields. The scholarships are being provided by the WMIA to promote the fields of wood science and wood technology. Through taking an active role in education, our organization is improving the quality of personnel while demonstrating that the woodworking industry recognizes the importance of education and sympathizes with the expense. Click here to download the Scholarship Application. 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. Click the brochure above for additional information about the scholarships. 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 or related fields. The Board of Trustees for the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association Educational Foundation, Inc. judges all candidates. The Application Process Scholarship applicants must complete a Scholarship Application Form, and mail it, along with all attachments, to the WMIA Scholarship Foundation: WMIA Educational Foundation 3313 Paper Mill Road, Suite 202 Phoenix, MD 21131 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. The completed Scholarship Application form, with attachments, must be received to WMIA no later than March 3, 2008.

Education Committee Looks to Expand Efforts The WMIA Education Committee is constantly exploring opportunities to broaden the scope of the Association's efforts in woodworking education. Individual member firms provide seminars and intensive training, and they work hard to be involved with universities and technical schools. The annual WMIA Educator of the Year Award calls attention to institutions, companies and individuals whose outstanding woodworker education programs deserve the recognition of the entire woodworking industry.

WMIA Scholarship Foundation's 2007 Winners Announced Click the poster to download a printable version. Purpose The goal of the WMIA Educational Foundation is to provide scholarships for talented and worthy students seeking careers in wood technology, machinery and related fields. 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. Jordan Clous Backs - Pittsburgh State University Brian David Beck - Pittsburgh State University Matthew Loren Beverlin - Pittsburgh State University David Jonathan Fales - California State University Jeffrey Brian Perkins - Pittsburgh State University Corey Adam Rader - University of Rio Grande Daniel Lee Roethle - Virginia Tech Nathan Ray Schrock - Pittsburgh State University Thomas Walter Tuck, III - Appalachian State University Scott Michael Vasey - Pittsburgh State University WMIA Educational Foundation 3313 Paper Mill Road Suite 202 Phoenix, MD 21131 Phone: (410) 628-1970 Fax: (410) 628-1972 E-mail: info@wmia.org A brochure with more details about the scholarship is available here.

2006 WMIA Education Foundation Scholarship Awards Announced

• Matthew Andreasian - California State University - $2,000
• Tom Bagby - Pittsburgh State University - $2,000
• David Fales - California State University - $2,000
• Ryan J. Larson - Pittsburgh State University - $2,000
• Kelly M. Palmer - Millersville University - $2,000
• Alex Pearson - University of British Columbia - $2,000
• Corey Rader - University of Rio Grande - $2,000
• Dan Roethle - Virginia Tech - $2,000
• Thomas W. Tuck, III - Appalachian State University - $2,000
  

WoodLINKS is a new Web site devoted to Wood Industry Careers and Education. The Web site contains North America's only comprehensive database on the subject. You can visit their new site by following the "clickable" link button above.

Careers in Wood Kit

The Careers in Wood recruitment kit is ready to go. Now members can share this exciting information with high schools, colleges and technical schools near them.

"We need more involvement by members and the companies they call on if we are to attract the best and brightest to our industry," said Larry Hilchie, education committee chair. "I encourage everyone to order several copies of Careers in Wood and take it with you on your next customer call. Get customers involved in approaching local high schools."

The education committee has worked with Duane Griffiths, manager of education services at Stiles Machinery, to complete a marketing kit designed to help wood industry representatives introduce Careers in Wood into local high schools.

The kit provides step-by-step procedures for contacting key high school personnel and a detailed outline for live presentations before students, teachers and guidance counselors. It includes sample letters, suggestions for presentation techniques, ideas for career days and follow-up activities.

"Use this as a sales opportunity," said Hilchie. "Preview the kit for your customers and encourage them to use it for employee programs as well as introducing it to local high schools. The marketing kit will make it easier for everyone to get started."

To order:

... call WMIA at 410-628-1970 (Credit cards will be accepted)

... or send checks to:

WMIA
3313 Paper Mill Road
Suite 202
Phoenix, MD 21131

... or order online using our new secure order form

Educational Pilot Sites

The test sites for the educational initiative of the WMIA Educational Forum have been selected. They are: Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif.; Palomar College in San Marcos, Calif.; Fox Valley Technical College in Oshkosh, Wis.; Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, N.C.; and Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Wash.

The schools have been selected for their strong relationships with local high schools and regional wood products industries. These institutions will take the lead in developing cooperative programs between schools and the wood industry by encouraging top level high school students to pursue careers in the wood industry.

"We have now taken the first step in developing the cooperative programs we need to ensure that our industry has a continuous flow of skilled employees at all levels," said Larry Hilchie, chair of the Educational Forum. "Ideally, these groups will work together to improve curriculums and develop work study programs that will excite students and educators."

Each site will undergo an evaluation to assess local industry needs and find out how well high school curriculums meet those needs with respect to math, science, English and computer programming. Representatives of the test site schools will then work with both groups to enrich school programs and create industry work study and intern programs that expose students to all aspects of wood products production and marketing.

"We are looking to strengthen the traditional 'woodshop' programs, but more importantly, we want to integrate the needs of the wood industry into the college prep curriculums," Hilchie said. "To achieve this we need enthusiastic champions at the high school and industry level who will work with our college level advocates to create dynamic and productive partnerships."

Enthusiasm, however, will not be enough. Hilchie estimates that each site will need between $30,000 and $70,000 per year to create a successful program. The funds are necessary for teacher training, curriculum materials and expenses incurred in developing a successful, sustaining work study program.

Hilchie encourages every member to do what they can to help obtain funding for these programs.

"We have commitments from the USDA Department of Forestry," Hilchie said, "but we need a lot more. I would ask every member to call us with their contacts at state and Federal agencies or to contact their customers, especially those in the test site areas, to contribute to the effort."

A large portion of every Careers in Wood kit sale will go toward underwriting this program.

Site evaluations will begin in the spring. Hilchie encourages all members near the test sites to become involved. For more information, contact Wilf Torunski at WOODLinks USA (616) 796-9556, e-mail: wusa@charter.net.