DENVER, CO (June 23, 2003) – They stood in a long line at the microphone where one by one they pledged their donation, and, within minutes chapters and individual members of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) had given $62, 231.50 to the ASSE Foundation for student scholarships and research. This occurred Sunday during the annual meeting of delegates at the ASSE Professional Development Conference and Exposition in Denver, CO.

Since its inception in 1990 this was the largest amount of donations given to the ASSE Foundation in the same day. Ten chapters and ASSE national surprised the ASSE Foundation Trustees and members at the delegate meeting of nearly 400 people with donations that amounted to more than $62,000.

ASSE Foundation Chairman Karl Jacobson said, "This soundly demonstrates the continuing commitment to the future of the profession by our members."

ASSE members from Louisiana, Illinois, Oregon, Virginia, Maryland, California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, Washington and Ohio stepped up to the microphone when ASSE Foundation Chair Jacobson announced at the end of his speech that this was the time for any chapters or regions to pledge a donation. Among those donating funds Sunday was the ASSE Baton Rouge chapter with $12,785 and the Northeastern Illinois chapter with $10,000. Last week the Denver chapter donated $1800 to the Foundation.

These donations came after the Foundation reported to members that in 2002 contributions increased by 24 percent enabling it to increase its scholarship funding by 44 percent. This year, at the PDC, 20 students will receive a total of $62,000 in scholarships, compared to $43,000 the year before.

DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company, Liberty Mutual Group, UPS, Summit Training Source, the Bechtel Foundation, and the James S. Kemper Foundation are among the Foundation's committed corporate donors. Additionally, ASSE members have set up the Thompson Scholarship for Women, the Delmar E. Tally Professional Development Grant and the James P. Kohn Memorial Scholarship. Through
the ASSE Foundation, the Liberty Mutual Fellowship Program annually supports safety research and provides a forum for linking safety professionals, industry needs and quality research programs.

Chartered in 1990, the ASSE Foundation is committed to ensuring the future of the occupational safety and health profession by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations. Funding for the Foundation is from corporations and ASSE members - from individuals and from chapters countrywide, for applied safety research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development.

Founded in 1911, the non-profit ASSE is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 30,000 members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportaion and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education. Check www.asse.org for more information on the Foundation scholarships, research and application forms.

     

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