Learn more about the scholarships and grants supported by the AWS Foundation, as well as how to apply.
Excellence in Welding Awards
Jump to:
Celebrate Welding Excellence at FABTECH 2025
Celebrate Welding Excellence at FABTECH 2025
Join WEMCO and the AWS Foundation in Honoring Industry Trailblazers
This year, WEMCO and the AWS Foundation join forces to present the Excellence in Welding Awards Ceremony on the FABTECH Theater stage.
This exciting joint event recognizes the outstanding achievements of:
- Excellence in Welding Award recipients
- AWS Foundation Scholarship recipients
- Graduate Fellowship honorees
- Grant recipients
The ceremony will spotlight the people and programs shaping the future of welding, providing them with the exposure and recognition they deserve on a national stage.
Event details
Event details
Open to all FABTECH ATTENDEES
- Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Time: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
- Location: FABTECH Theater, McCormick Place, Chicago
Why Attend?
Why Attend?
Be inspired
Meet the individuals and organizations making a real impact across education, industry, military, and community service.
See Welding’s Future, Live
Celebrate welding’s next generation and honor the legacy of those advancing the field today.
Celebrate with the Industry
Join professionals, students, and industry leaders for an unforgettable moment recognizing excellence in welding.
AWARD CATEGORIES
AWARD CATEGORIES
The annual Excellence in Welding Awards, created by WEMCO, honor individuals and organizations that elevate the image of welding and bolster the industry.
Celebrating dedication to enhancing welding's reputation within communities, the awards span nine categories:
- Individual
- Educator
- Educational Facility
- Small Business
- Large Business
- Distributor
- AWS Section
- Media
- Veterans
Celebrate Excellence in Welding
Celebrate Excellence in Welding
Peers nominate. The Committee selects. Winners are honored at FABTECH.
Nominees are put forward by industry peers, with winners chosen by the Excellence in Welding Committee. Awardees are celebrated during the Excellence in Welding Awards Ceremony at FABTECH.
Nominations for this year closed on June 10. Stay tuned for the opening of next year’s nomination period and be ready to spotlight those making a difference in the welding community!
List of Recent Awardees and Their Categories
List of Recent Awardees and Their Categories
Meet our latest award recipients and explore the categories they were honored in.
Individual: DOUG RHODA
Educator: PIERRETTE SWAN
Small Business: NEW MEXICO STEAM LOCOMOTIVE & RAILROAD MUSEUM
Large Business: MODINE
Educational Facility: KENTUCKY WELDING INSTITUTE
Media: SCOTT BOLLEY
Veterans: CHARLES JEFFRESS
Distributor: ALLTEX WELDING SUPPLY
AWS Section: WESTERN CAROLINA (Section 195)
Help Spread the Word
Know someone attending FABTECH?
Share this event to help give these honorees the visibility they deserve:
post-event recap coming soon
post-event recap coming soon
After the ceremony, this page will feature:
- A complete list of 2025 award recipients with bios
- Photos and highlights from the event
- A downloadable program booklet
Stay connected
Start the Conversation with AWS
Follow along for updates, honoree spotlights, and live coverage on:
- WEMCO LinkedIn Showcase Page
- Email alerts via AWS member communications
- Welding Journal and Section News
- Real-time social media updates