AIST Foundation Secures $1,000,000 in Funding
04/12/2011 - The AIST Foundation board of trustees has raised more than $1,000,000 during the 2010–2011 academic year in support of its mission to ensure the iron and steel industry of tomorrow will have a sufficient number of qualified professionals.
The AIST Foundation board of trustees has raised more than $1,000,000 during the 2010–2011 academic year in support of its mission to ensure the iron and steel industry of tomorrow will have a sufficient number of qualified professionals. With the added incentive of a $500,000 match from the Association for Iron & Steel Technology board of directors, the Foundation trustees were able to secure industry pledges exceeding $560,000 during its annual fund campaign.
The Foundation trustees expressed appreciation to its many benefactors, including Nucor, ArcelorMittal, United States Steel Corp., SSAB North America, Hatch Associates Consultants, Steel Dynamics Inc., CMC Americas, Harsco Metals & Minerals, MCC International, Berry Metal Co. and Riverside Refractories — all of whom pledged multi-year donations to sustain the Foundation programs.
“On behalf of the Foundation trustees, we are truly grateful to the steel industry and all donors who have supported our efforts this year,” said AIST Foundation President Randy Skagen, who is Vice President and General Manager for Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa Inc. “We take great pride in the good work of the AIST Foundation, and are pleased to have the full support of our industry to ensure a sustainable workforce for our collective future.”
Association for Iron & Steel Technology President William Breedlove, Executive Vice President for Harsco Metals & Minerals, added, “A core value for AIST is to develop the next generation, and we are pleased to support the AIST Foundation with $500,000 in matching funds to ensure a strong future for our industry.”
The AIST Foundation is a Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation organized for charitable, educational and scientific purposes that seeks to attract technology-oriented professionals to the steel industry by educating the public about the high-tech, diverse and rewarding nature of careers in modern steelmaking. Scholarships and grants are awarded on an annual basis to students and instructors to encourage awareness and interest within iron and steel-related industries. Since 2007, approximately US$2,000,000 has been awarded through the AIST Foundation and its affiliated groups.
The AIST Foundation is part of AIST, an international technical association of 14,400 professional and student members representing iron and steel producers, their allied suppliers and related academia. The association is dedicated to advancing the technical development, production, processing and application of iron and steel.
