Paper 360
Established in 1992, Couch Pit University is an organization of veteran papermakers who want to “give back” to the industry they love. Members of CPU contribute through discussion groups, roundtables, and scholarship support. As mentors and advisors, they learn and share experiences in a way that’s beneficial to their employers and the industry and try to facilitate the use of their experience to educate and improve the skills of students and younger paper industry professionals.
CPU now awards six US$1000 scholarships each year, to six of the 10 schools the group supports. Scholarships are funded from member dues, individual donations, and occasional corporate donations. For 2021, the group has announced the following scholarship awards:
• Blaise Knapp—CPU/At-Large-Scholarship, State University of New York
• Gregory Moore—CPU/At-Large-Scholarship, University of Washington
• Jenny Nguyen—CPU/L.J. “Junior” West Memorial Scholarship, North Carolina State University
• Olivia Gervais—CPU/HL Kitchens Memorial Scholarship, University of Maine
• Cole Wesolowski—CPU/Sandy Nyman Papermaker’s Spousal Support Memorial Scholarship, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
• Reid Ambroz—CPU/Ken Brown Memorial Scholarship, Auburn University’s Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering
Schools nominate individual students they feel merit CPU’s support. Guiding principles suggest that scholarship awardees should be worthy students who have shown a high interest in entering the pulp and paper industry as a career, as demonstrated by internship/co-op experiences, leadership on campus, and a committed path of study. Preferably the student selected has financial need, and the award, though small, may make a difference in the life of the awardee.
The organization also announced three new members. The Couch Pit University class of 2021 are: David Glass, Lee Wormsbaker, and William Neil Platt. Official introductions and a welcome celebration will take place during the group’s Annual Meeting in October. To learn more about Couch Pit University, visit tappi.org or contact CPU President Keith Kemp at [email protected].
