John M. Stropki Scholarship
The John M. Stropki Scholarship honors an individual who spent his entire professional career actively participating in and promoting the welding industry. Mr. Stropki started his career at Lincoln Electric in 1969 as a summer intern while attending Purdue University. He later joined the Company full-time after graduating from Purdue with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering in 1972 and also earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Indiana University. Mr. Stropki rose progressively through the ranks at Lincoln and served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, retiring with more than 41 years of service. His career was nurtured by the culture and business model established by the Lincoln brothers, stemming from the vision and greatness of founder, John C. Lincoln, a superb engineer with a curious and inventive mind, and the intelligence and tenacity of James F. Lincoln, who had a keen sense of what motivates people and a dedication to the Company's workforce.
Founded in 1895, Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment, and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has more than 40 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures, on four continents and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries.
Purpose
Manufacturing is the foundation of the U.S. economy. A strong manufacturing industry is crucial to the standard of living, economic prosperity and the national security of our country. While the United States remains the world leader in science, technology and engineering, the gap with traditional, and especially emerging competitors, is narrowing.
Mr. Stropki recognizes the benefit of engineering and science in driving economic growth and providing long-term career opportunities. This scholarship is intended to encourage and support new enrollment in these curricula now and into the future. This scholarship fund has been established to help develop talented engineers and STEM educators who innovate and drive excellence throughout the manufacturing process and to ensure that the United States remains a competitive and global manufacturing leader doing great things.
Eligibility
The John M. Stropki Scholarship will be awarded to a college undergraduate student pursuing a minimum four-year bachelor's degree in welding engineering or a related engineering or science major. Priority will be given to the children or grandchildren of current and retired Lincoln Electric employees in the United States and Canada.
- Applicant must be a minimum of eighteen years of age.
- Applicant must have a minimum high school diploma or equivalent.
- Applicant must have a minimum overall 3.0 grade point average.
- Student must be enrolled full time at an academic institution located in the U.S. or Canada.
- Proof of financial need is not required to qualify, but priority will be given to those students who exhibit a financial need.
- Applicant must submit all required application information.
- Applicant must be a citizen of the U. S. or Canada, and plan to attend an academic institution located within the U. S. or Canada.
- Applicants may reapply; persons who have received this award may reapply and may be granted the award for a maximum of 4 years.
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 recipients will be chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of at least five (5) members from the Education Scholarship Committee
Awards
Five awards will be made annually.
Three $5,000 scholarship awards will be made to children of current Lincoln Electric employees in the U.S. or Canada pursuing a welding engineering, or related engineering or science bachelors degree.
One $5,000 scholarship award will be made to any student pursuing a welding engineering, or related engineering or science bachelors degree.
One $2,500 scholarship award will be made to any student pursuing a degree as an educator of a STEM subject.
No awards will be paid to the recipient. All awards are for tuition and fees only, and will be paid directly to the academic institution by the AWS Foundation.