Thanks to two brand new scholarships, AATCC Foundation Inc. will provide more funding than ever to students in textile and related fields. For the 2020-2021 academic year, the AATCC Foundation will award more than 35 scholarships and fellowships, worth nearly $150,000. Students can find and apply for scholarships through one easy online application.
The two newest scholarships in the AATCC Foundation portfolio are the NCTO Paul T. O’Day Scholarship and the Percy W. Woodruff Jr Textile Manufacturing Scholarship.
NCTO Paul T. O’Day Scholarship: NCTO President & CEO Kimberly Glas says, “The Paul O’Day Memorial Scholarship was created to honor a man whose influence and legacy in the fibre sector of the textile industry was revered as he served as President of the American Fibre Manufacturers Association (AFMA) for more than three decades.”
Since the 2018 merger of AFMA with the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), the scholarship is awarded to children of employees at NCTO Fibre Council member companies. Glas says, “The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) is pleased to partner with the AATCC Foundation to promote this scholarship and select recipients with outstanding academic achievements who desire to choose career paths to support the American fibre industry.” The O’Day Scholarship provides $5,000 per year to an undergraduate student, renewable for up to four years.
Percy W. Woodruff Jr Textile Manufacturing Scholarship: The Woodruff Textile Manufacturing Scholarship is named for Percy W. Woodruff, Jr., who was a non-traditional university student. Despite working several jobs, the only way Woodruff could afford to complete his college education was through the GI Bill as a WWII veteran and income from his wife’s teaching career. After graduating from college with a degree in textiles, he spent his career in the US textile industry, retiring from Burlington Industries.
The Woodruff Scholarship is awarded to other “non-traditional students,” particularly those in the Clemson University Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE). Non-traditional students may be anyone disadvantaged by starting college late or in the wrong major, or any other circumstance. Recipients of the Woodruff Scholarship receive $2,500. All Foundation scholars are also eligible for free registration and reimbursement of travel funds to attend the AATCC International Conference.
Apply: Scholarships and fellowships are available for a variety of majors and institutions. It only takes a few minutes to complete one online profile to determine eligibility for all AATCC Foundation Scholarships. Students receive a customized list of scholarships for which they are eligible. Most scholarships only require a few additional questions and a brief personal statement to apply. The entire process is completed online at https://webportalapp.com/sp/aatcc-scholarship-applications-2020. Students are notified by May of any awards for the following academic year.
Donate: AATCC Foundation Inc is a charitable 501(c) (3) organization, funded by tax-deductible donations from those who wish to support the future of the textile industry. Donations are accepted online at www.aatcc.org/fnd. The AATCC Foundation is currently campaigning to fully endow $100,000 per year in scholarships in time to celebrate AATCC’s 100th birthday in 2021. Donors may continue to the general fund or designate a specific scholarship. A separate campaign provides matching funds for all donations to the Graduate Fellowship funds through May 2020.
