TAPPI Foundation Names 2023-2024 Scholarship Winners

October 19, 2023 – TAPPI, the leading association for the worldwide pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and converting industries, recently announced 14 scholarship recipients for the 2023-2024 academic year totaling $60,000.

Alex Boyd, a junior majoring in paper and chemical engineering at Western Michigan University and Weston Cregger, a fourth-year student at North Carolina State University (NCSU) pursuing a dual degree in paper science and engineering and chemical engineering, are recipients of the William L. Cullison Scholarship.

TAPPI Foundation’s $4,000 William L. Cullison Scholarship is named in honor of TAPPI’s fifth Executive Director and is awarded each year to a third- or fourth-year student working toward a career in pulp and paper, corrugated container, or flexible packaging.

Sofia Dwyer, a junior majoring in chemical engineering at Miami University, D’Kayla Thomas, a senior pursuing a paper science and engineering degree at NCSU, and Nayab Tufail, a sophomore majoring in paper engineering at Western Michigan University are the recipients of the 2023-2024 TAPPI Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Scholarships.

The $1, 000 TAPPI Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship was established in 2022 in support of underrepresented populations which include but are not limited to African American, Native American, Hispanic and Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities. All applicants must be students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, and demonstrate an interest in a career in paper, pulp, tissue and packaging.

“Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the TAPPI Foundation scholarships are investments in the future of the industries we serve,” said Larry N. Montague, TAPPI President and CEO. “By supporting the development of talented students, we empower them to drive innovation, sustainability and progress. Congratulations to this year’s recipients.”

In addition to the Association-level scholarships, Technical Division scholarship winners include:

• Emily Baker, chemical engineering, Miami University, Process Control Division Scholarship
• Katherine Bodenschatz, industrial design, University of Cincinnati, Corrugated Packaging Division’s Suppliers Advisory Committee Scholarship
• Alex Boyd, in addition to receiving the William L. Cullison Scholarship, he also received:
• Corrugated Packaging Division’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Scholarship
• Corrugated Packaging Division’s Terry S. Paulson Memorial Scholarship
• Process Control Division Scholarship
• Weston Cregger, in addition to receiving the William L. Cullison Scholarship, also received:
• Charles B. Tibbits Memorial Scholarship
• Corrugated Packaging Division’s Joe Dieffenbacher Engineering Memorial Scholarship
• Engineering Division Scholarship
• Ron Franklin Fiberglass Mat Memorial Scholarship
• Process & Product Quality Division Scholarship
• Hannah Getsee, paper science and engineering, NCSU, Coating and Graphic Arts Division’s Robert W. Hagemeyer Scholarship
• Meegan Heerlyn, paper and chemical engineering, Western Michigan University
• Coating and Graphic Arts Division’s Robert W. Hagemeyer Scholarship
• Process and Product Quality Division Scholarship
• Bryanna Lawry, chemical engineering and paper science engineering, NCSU, Process and Product Quality Division Scholarship
• Abigail “Abbi” Brooke Mendius, graphic design and production, Dunwoody College of Technology, Corrugated Division Scholarship
• Kate Ross, chemical engineering, Miami University
• Corrugated Packaging Division’s John O. Telesca Engineering Scholarship
• Process Control Division Scholarship
• Allison Thompson, chemical engineering, University of Maine
• Engineering Division Scholarship
• Paper and Board Division Scholarship
• Ron Franklin Fiberglass Mat Memorial Scholarship
• Gracelynn Woods, paper science and engineering and chemical engineering, NCSU, Paper and Board Division Scholarship

TAPPI is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applications are due February 15, 2024. For application details and to view the gallery of 2023-2024 scholarship recipients visit tappi.org/scholarships.

For more information about the TAPPI Foundation and the scholarship program, contact Mary Beth Cornell, Membership and Global Development Director.

About TAPPI Foundation:
The TAPPI Foundation supports TAPPI’s mission by encouraging students to choose careers in the pulp, paper, packaging, and converting industries. The Foundation’s focus on students includes funding scholarships, supporting the annual Student Summit, and providing assistance to Student Chapters. Companies and individuals are encouraged to help support the future of our industries and the academic pursuits of future leaders through tax deductible contributions to the Foundation. For more information, visit TAPPI’s website.