2021 PMA Educational Scholarships Recipients
Thursday, December 9, 2021
By: Randy Kish
The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation (PMAEF) along with the East Michigan, Southeast, Southern New England, Tennessee, West Michigan, and Wisconsin Districts of PMA are excited to announce the 2021 educational scholarships recipients! These recipients have shown an interest in continuing their careers in manufacturing through enrolling in educational courses or taking part in an apprenticeship/training program.
Fall 2021
West Michigan District Recipients
Luke Fountain – Ferris State University, Welding Engineering Technology
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $1,000• West Michigan District: $1,000
• Total: $2,000
Luke Fountain’s interest in manufacturing started after completing a technical education welding program at a local community college. He soon realized how vast the field was and the endless career opportunities available to him. Luke wants to get an internship – in the near future – to acquire on-the-job training in his chosen field. He is very excited about his future career in the manufacturing sector.
Joshua Peterson – Grand Rapids Community College, Welding Technologies
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $1,000• Tennessee District: $1,000
• Total: $2,000
Joshua Peterson was introduced to manufacturing by his father. He currently works as a fusion welder for an aerospace components manufacturer while working toward his degree. In the picture below, Joshua proudly shows off his congratulatory letter and will use the funds to pay next semester’s tuition.
Spring 2021
Tennessee District Recipients
Daniel Graham Hannett—Master of Professional Science with a concentration in Engineering Management
Middle Tennessee State University
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $1,000
• Tennessee District: $1,000
• Total: $2,000
• Tennessee District: $1,000
• Total: $2,000
Daniel Graham Hannett recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering Technology and is pursuing an MS in Professional Science with a concentration in Engineering Management. Daniel is a quality inspector at Steel Technologies LLC in Smyrna, TN, and plans to continue his role with the company while earning his advanced degree. He also has accepted a one-year internship with Franke Foodservices where he will be designing kitchens and components for restaurant efficiency.
Dwane Wilburn—Tool & Die Maker
Apprenticeship program: North American Stamping Group
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $500
• Tennessee District: $500
• Total: $1,000
Dwane Wilburn’s goal is to continue to grow his knowledge and skill set and eventually move into an engineering role within NASG. This scholarship will go a long way toward helping him purchase the necessary tools and equipment to further his education and reach his goals.
Gary Baird—Tool & Die Maker
Apprenticeship program: North American Stamping Group
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $500
• Tennessee District: $500
• Total: $1,000
For more than a decade, Gary Baird was a welder when he decided to make a career change. Upon joining NASG, Gary’s interest was piqued by the tool and die program. He would like to move into a leadership position or a tooling engineer role. Funds from the scholarship will be used to purchase tools for program.
Michael Pitt—Tool & Die Maker
Apprenticeship program: North American Stamping Group
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $500
• Tennessee District: $500
• Total: $1,000
Michael Pitt grew up in a family of tool makers and joined NASG as a tooling apprentice in 2018. Michael has aspirations of pursing a tooling engineer position or becoming a CNC operator/programmer. He finds satisfaction in being able to find a better way for a die to perform more efficiently. Once he completes the program, he hopes to inspire and help others become knowledgeable toolmakers.
Larry Dickenson from North American Stamping Group receiving the Tennessee District’s
scholarship during the district’s recent golf outing. Also pictured, David Klotz, president, PMA and
Perry Hytken, Tennessee district chair.
West Michigan District Recipient
Noah Heimmermann—Weld Engineering
Ferris State University (Local 440 pipe trades pre-apprentice)
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $500
• West Michigan District: $500
• Total: $1,000
Noah Heimmermann was exposed to and had an early fascination with welding that helped shape his career path. He is a member of Ferris State Honors College, graduated Magna Cum Laude and is a welder on the Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) team. Noah plans to obtain his CWI certificate and is considering a master’s degree in Weld Engineering. One of his biggest interests is gas tungsten arc welding and he worked as a pre-apprentice pipefitter.
Southeast District Recipients
Graham Stafford—Computer Integrated Machining
Central Carolina Community College
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $500
• Southeast District: $500
• Total: $1,000
A homeschooled senior in high school, Graham Stafford is dual enrolled in his academic program. His interest in the machining trade happened after attending an open house at his college. Graham aspires to be the most well-rounded metalworker and hopes to own his own machine shop.
Krystal Waycaster—Welding
Tri-County Technical College
Scholarship Amount
• PMA Educational Foundation: $500
• Southeast District: $500
• Total: $1,000
A full-time parent with a background ranging from special education to armed security, Krystal Waycaster is currently employed with the Seneca Police Department in South Carolina. Her fascination with welding came from watching her husband work on welding projects, a hobby that became a passion that she aspires to turn into a career. Working full-time at night so she can pursue her dream, Krystal is driven to become the best welder she can be.
Applications for the next round of educational scholarships will be available in January 2022. To learn more about the eligibility and requirements, visit the PMAEF page here.
*Each district decided to match the PMAEF’s scholarship amount.