All across the country, Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) scholars are receiving letters of congratulations and notice of scholarship awards. Scholarships of $100,000 were awarded to 97 outstanding promotional products industry employees or their children, 68 new and 29 renewals, who displayed remarkable academic achievement, extracurricular participation and community service. Each will be awarded between $1,000 and $5,000 to support their college educations.
“It is incredible to see PPEF’s donor dollars working toward the betterment of our industry through higher education,” said Kippie Helzel, PPEF chair. “Every year, thanks to the generosity and support of corporate and individual donors, our collective efforts help college students and professionals come one step closer to realizing their goals for success.”
PPEF, a nonprofit founded in 1989 to recognize and encourage scholastic ability and academic performance among promotional products industry employees and their children has awarded more than $1 million in financial assistance to more than 678 recipients.
Funded by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) and donations from the promotional products industry, the scholarship program enables youth and professionals to continue their education on a collegiate level. The Association and industry patrons have a long-standing commitment of service to the promotional products industry and this fund supports those who demonstrate the same commitment.
Descriptions of each of the PPEF scholarships are presented below. A full list of winners is available on PPEF’s website.
Four-Year College Scholarship for Academic Excellence and Achievement –
($4,000, awarded $1,000 annually for four years)
This scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents entering a four-year accredited college or university as a freshman in the fall of 2013. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. Scholarships are renewable for the four years of college, provided that the student meets the minimum GPA requirement and current employment in the promotional products industry is maintained by the student or parent.
Chairman’s College Scholarship – ($5,000, awarded $2,500 annually for two years)
This scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents entering their junior year of college, actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an academic field related to promotional products and expressing a clear intent to enter the promotional products industry after graduation. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. Scholarships are renewable for the junior and senior years of college, provided that the student meets the minimum GPA requirement and current employment in the promotional products industry is maintained by the student or parent.
Vincent J. Arena Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Vincent J. Arena, former PPAI board member, PPAI Hall of Fame inductee and 2000 Counselor Person of the Year who passed away in 2005 at the age of 93,this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
Castelli North America, Inc. Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Sparks, Nevada based Castelli North America, Inc., a leading supplier of planners, journals and notebooks to the promotional products industry, this scholarship is available to industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply
Eugene P. Cesario Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Gene Cesario, MAS, former PPAI board member, 1989-1991 PPEF chairman and PPAI Hall of Fame inductee who passed away in 2012 at the age of 72, this scholarship is available to industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
Friends of PPMN Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time industry employee for undergraduate or graduate level coursework at an accredited college or university.
Glen Holt Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Glen Holt, MAS, CIP, former PPAI and PPEF board member, PPAI Hall of Fame inductee and 1990 Counselor Person of the Year who passed away in 2010 at the age of 76, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply
George C. Matteson, Jr. Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for George C. Matteson, Jr., former PPAI and PPEF board member, 1994-1995 PPAI chairman and PPAI Hall of Fame inductee who passed away in 2011 at the age of 82, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
Janelle Nevins Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for Janelle Nevins, former PPAI and PPEF board member and 1999 Counselor Person of the Year who passed away in 2012 at the age of 62, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
H. Ted Olson Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
Named for H. Ted Olson, MAS, former president of PPAI, PPAI Hall of Fame inductee, Promotional Product Professionals of Canada Hall of Fame inductee and 1995 Counselor Person of the Year who passed away in 2010 at the age of 81, this scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply
One-Year College Scholarship – ($1,000, nonrenewable)
This scholarship is available to promotional products industry employees or their dependents attending a two-year or four-year accredited undergraduate college or university. Students must take at least six credit hours per semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply.
To learn more about applying for the 2014 scholarships, applicants are invited to log on to www.ppef.us and click on the application forms. The application deadline for 2014 is March 15, 2014. Please direct questions to Sara Besly at [email protected]. For more information, visit http://ppef.us.
