Throughout the pages of the February/March issue of Hardwood Floors magazine, you’ve read about how to build a foundation for a successful career in the wood flooring industry. Now, I would like to share some of the ways you can make a difference in your career or someone else’s career via the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Education & Research Foundation (NERF).
NERF exists to further the growth and development of the hardwood flooring industry through research and education. NWFA offers educational opportunities through NERF, such as hands-on training, NWFA University, NWFA Live Edge, and scholarships. Thanks to the generosity of our members, NWFA has awarded scholarships totaling more than $100,000 since 2014. I want to share an overview of the scholarships to which you can contribute or apply to receive.
NWFA Training Scholarship
These scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance for NWFA hands-on training events. Funds from NWFA Legacy and Named Scholarships provide one award of $500 per multiple-day school to further students’ education.
Wood Studies Scholarship
The NERF Wood Studies Scholarship promotes the post-secondary study of forestry and forestry-related sciences. This nonrenewable scholarship for $1,000 each is awarded to one high school senior and one current college student who will study forestry to advance and improve forestry practices for generations to come.
For more information about scholarships the NWFA offers or to apply, visit nwfa.org/scholarships. To contribute to NERF and its ongoing educational and training initiatives, contact Stephanie Owen at 314.686.1910 or stephanie.owen@nwfa.org.
Industry Advocates Fund
Contributions to this fund can be made in any amount. These donations will be combined with other contributions to fund general NWFA training scholarships. For as little as $25, you can help fund the future of the wood flooring industry.
Legacy Scholarship
The Legacy Scholarship Program honors individuals who made significant contributions throughout their lives to advance the wood flooring industry. It began in 2013, when Tommy Maxwell with Maxwell Hardwood Flooring donated $5,000 to establish a scholarship honoring his industry peer and friend Bob Haggard, with Hassell & Hughes Lumber Company. Since Haggard’s recognition, friends and family of more than 30 individuals have established Legacy Scholarships to honor and memorialize their loved ones.
Each Legacy Scholarship is established with a minimum of $5,000, which allows the fund to be named after the benefactor. Scholarships are awarded based on investment earnings of the total funds, and recipients receive a letter summarizing that individual’s contributions to the industry.
Named Scholarship
The NERF Named Scholarship program helps the NWFA keep training costs to a minimum for participants. For a contribution of $20,000, you can honor an individual who made significant and lasting contributions to the industry. Current Named Scholarships include Carl Anstett and Edgar P. Anstett – Powernail Company, Virgil Hendricks – Lockwood Flooring and Mid-West Floor Company, Dick Hradecki – Floorco Ltd., and Paul Stringer – Somerset.
Contributions are now being accepted to establish In-Memoriam Named Scholarships for Jorge “Tito” Boror – Loba-Wakol and Don Conner – Mullican Flooring.
We appreciate your support in helping us advance the industry by improving wood flooring knowledge and hands-on skills for the next generation of craftspeople.