The Plastics Pioneers Association, a society of industry leaders, has awarded $24,000 in $1500 scholarships to 16 college students working toward careers in plastics, it was announced today by G. Palmer Humphrey, Managing Director.
"This year's scholarship awards continue an annual tradition begun by the Pioneers in 1988," said Humphrey.  "The money for these grants consists of the earnings of a special fund based entirely on contributions from Association members."
The scholarship program is administered by the Plastics Institute of America, based at the University of Massachusetts / Lowell.
Awardees for the 2001 / 2002 school year are:

Angela S. Albertson    Penn State Erie
Joel Bell     Winona State University (MN)
Jeff Brandewic    Edison Community College (FL )
Josh Bunting     Minnesota West Community College
Ryan Butler     Dunwoody Institute (MN)
Brett L. Davidson    Pennsylvania College of Technology
Damon B. DeVore    Penn State Erie
Robert Greenfield    Minnesota West Community College
Stephen Hlopick    Penn State Erie
Erica Hoover     Pittsburg State University (KS)
Erik Hutchins     Ridgewater College (MN )
Lucas W. Mellinger    Pennsylvania College of Technology
Tymon J. Moore       Pennsylvania College of Technology
Joseph Naber     Minnesota West Community College
Brian J. O'Connell    Ferris State University (MI )
David A. Yates    Edison Community College (FL )

The Plastics Pioneers Association was founded in 1942 as a society dedicated to fostering friendship among long-standing members of the plastics industry. Today the Plastics Pioneers has two objectives: friendship and education. Membership is limited to 250. An applicant must have made some significant contribution to the industry and must have been employed in the industry for at least 30 years.

The Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA) and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that is designed to forge stronger ties between the two associations.  The agreement represents the highest level of cooperation between the two groups--giving both parties an interest in each other's success.
"Our goal has been to take full advantage of the globalization phenomenon that has been sweeping North America and to convert that into business for our respective members," said CPIA CEO and president, Pierre G. Dubois. "Our respective memberships have global interests and they are entitled to the added value that would ultimately result from a coordinated approach to trans-border association affairs."
The agreement, which was signed by SPE Executive Director, Michael R. Cappelletti and Mr. Dubois earlier this month, outlines the terms of reference the alliance is to be based upon.  It details the synergies that are expected and supports the coordinated efforts on behalf of both organizations to promote the plastics industry as a vital contributor to the economy and as a rewarding career opportunity.
"We want to advance the prosperity of the North American plastics industry by using our mutual organizational resources in a collaborative manner to promote the human resource development of this industry," said Mr. Cappelletti.  "And we believe we can accomplish more by working together in a more strategic and collaborative manner."
The MOU secures agreement to provide: an infrastructure to SPE in Canada through the offices of CPIA; free access and license-for-use to each organization of each other's public documents; a willingness to promote and publicize the other's national and international events through their respective publications; coordination of events and technical seminars; and the linking of web sites and electronic capability.
CPIA is a Canadian trade association working to advance the prosperity and international competitiveness of the Canadian plastics industry in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.  SPE is a global, professional association committed to promoting and providing the knowledge and education of plastics and polymers worldwide.