The Premier Group Network board of directors recently announced the renewal of the PPEF Named Scholarship honoring Paul E. Smith, MAS, president of Ardmore, Pennsylvania-based supplier Calconix Inc. The scholarship was created by Premier Group Network to honor Smith, one of the group’s founders, during its 20th anniversary celebration in 2017. The renewal will continue the Paul E. Smith Scholarship through 2025.
Founded in 1997, Premier Group Network is an alliance of 70-plus distributors and suppliers in the promotional products industry. This group of dedicated peers collaborates to build business success and long-lasting relationships with innovative tools and valuable face-to-face interaction. With representation in numerous territories throughout the U.S. and Canada and nearly $200 million in distributor buying power, Premier Group Network is one of the largest partnering organizations in the industry.
PPEF offers higher-education scholarships to promotional products industry employees and their children. In 2021, $278,750 was awarded to 161 students. PPEF’s Named Scholarships are established as long-term honorary gifts or memorials that endure over several years to assist students in pursuing their college educations.
“Paul Smith is a firm believer in higher education,” said Sara Besly, PPEF executive director. ” He has been an active volunteer to both his alma mater, Lehigh University, and the promotional products industry. PPEF is honored to be part of recognizing Paul for his efforts to make education accessible to the next generation, and we are so grateful to the members of the Premier Group for continuing this scholarship to honor Paul.”
Past recipients of the Paul E. Smith Scholarship can be found here. The application deadline for 2022 is March 15. Click here for more details or to apply.
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Promo Marketing. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of Promo Marketing.
