Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) is the largest U. S. distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, welding, safety and products. Its integrated network of nearly 800 locations includes branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.

Jerry Baker, who sold the Southern Welding Supply Company to Airgas in 1986, continues to work for Airgas Mid America, one of Airgas' twelve regional companies, as Director of Corporate Development, working out of its Bowling Green, Kentucky branch. A graduate of Bowling Green Business University with a bachelor's degree in accounting, Jerry began his career in industrial gas and welding supplies in 1954 working for the family business, Southern Welding Supply, and became its sole owner in 1972. After selling to Airgas in 1986, Jerry continued to serve as President of Kentucky Airgas, one of the original hub companies formed by Airgas, until 1995, when the hubs were combined to create the current regional company structure. Jerry continues to show a great passion for the distribution business and has earned the respect of colleagues and customers. Through this scholarship, we hope to encourage others to get the education they need to have a successful career with an industrial gas or welding equipment distributor.

Purpose
The purpose for this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to those individuals interested in pursuing a career in welding engineering.

Eligibility
The Airgas ­ Jerry Baker Scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelors degree in welding engineering (WE) or welding engineering technology (WET); however, priority will be given to welding engineering (WE) students interested in pursuing a career with an industrial gas or welding equipment distributor. All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements.

• Applicant must be a minimum of eighteen years of age.
• Applicant must have a minimum high school diploma or equivalent.
• Applicant must be a full-time student as defined by the academic institution.
• Applicant must have at least a 2.8 overall grade point average with a 3.0 grade point average in engineering courses.
• Financial need is not required; however, priority will be given to those individuals demonstrating a financial need.
• Priority will be given to those individuals who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career with an industrial gas or welding equipment distributor by prior work experience, clubs, organizations or extra-curricular activities.
• Applicant must be a citizen of the United States or Canada and plan to attend an academic institution located within the United States or Canada.
• Applicant must submit all required application information.
• Priority will be given to those individuals residing or attending school in the states of Alabama, Georgia or Florida. (A resident is defined as having lived in the specified area for a minimum of one year.)
• Applicants may reapply; however, persons who have received this award may reapply and may be granted the award for a maximum of four years.

The award will be presented to individuals nationwide. Applicant does not have to be a member of the American Welding Society.

The AWS Foundation does not discriminate by age, race, color, national origin, disability, creed, or gender.

Selection
The recipient will be chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of five (5) members, selected by the Education Scholarship Committee.

The Selection Committee will determine award recipient in February of each year. Recipient will be announced at the National Awards Luncheon.

Awards
One $2,500 award will be given annually. No recipient shall receive more than one AWS National Scholarship award per year.

No awards will be paid to the recipient. All awards are for tuition and books only, and will be paid directly to the academic institution by the AWS Foundation.

Deadline
Deadline for application is February 15, for the following Fall Term.