DES PLAINES, IL (March 6, 2001) -- The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation (ASSEF) has awarded eight scholarships today to students pursuing both undergraduate and graduate degrees in safety-related fields, according to Foundation Education and Scholarship Chair Carter Kerk, PhD, PE, CSP, CPE.

United Parcel Service awarded three scholarships in the amount of $4,125 from The UPS Foundation. The winners are Patricia Gaudet of Portland, Maine, studying environmental safety and health at the University of Southern Maine; Donald Goosman of Vernon Hills, Illinois, studying fire protection and safety engineering technology at Oklahoma State University; and Amanda McCauley of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, studying occupational safety and environmental health at Millersville University.

Two $1,000 scholarships from Marsh Risk Consulting in New York City, were given to Sean Jankiewicz from Bowie, Maryland, for studies in fire protection engineering at the University of Maryland; and Katherine Vargas of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, for studies in environmental and safety management in Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.

The Robert Semonisck Distinguished Service Award Scholarship was awarded to Steven Duff of Scranton, Iowa for studies in industrial technology at Iowa State University.

In the graduate category, $1,000 from The Thompson Scholarship for Women in Safety was given to Kathleen Ferguson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for studies in environmental and safety management at Oregon State University. The James P. Kohn Memorial Scholarship of $2,000 was awarded to Brian Ringwelski of Hyattsville, Maryland for studies in fire protection engineering at the University of Maryland.

Through its programs the ASSEF is committed to ensuring the future of occupational safety and health by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations. Each year the Foundation awards funds for applied safety research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development. The ASSEF was established in 1990 to provide professional development and financial resources to qualified individuals and non-profit organizations. The Foundation seeks to advance safety and health development and research and education in the public interest.

Founded in 1911, the non-profit ASSE is the world's largest and oldest professional safety organization. Its 32,000 members located throughout the U.S. and the world, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in industry, government, education and insurance.