EDUCATIONAL TRUST Message From the New Chair The Deep Foundations Institute Educational Trust is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2006 by the Deep Foundations Institute as its charitable arm. The mission of the Trust is to support and encourage individuals in the fields of study related to the deep foundations industry by providing scholarships and opportunities to meet and work with deep foundations industry leaders. The Trust manages 16 scholarship programs to provide financial support to students interested in pursuing a career in the industry. Since its founding, the Trust has awarded $1,100,000 in scholarships to more than 300 students studying at colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. The Trust also manages several other programs to engage students and young professionals in the deep foundations industry including the Student Paper Competition, Young Professor Paper Competition and the Women in Deep Foundations Committee Professional Development Grants. The purpose of these programs is to raise the awareness of our industry to students, young professionals and women (in what is still a male-dominated indus- try). These programs have all been quite successful primarily due to the generous donations we have received over the years to fund them. I was the president of DFI in 2006 when the Trust was officially established; however, it was the idea of the previous president, Richard Short, and most of the work done to launch the Trust was done while he was president and I was vice president. I remember back then one of the biggest concerns people had with this idea was the funding aspect. It was a valid concern that we still have today. The Trust was set up to be operated purely from donations. It does not receive any direct funding from DFI dues. That is why there is a voluntary contribution line for the Trust on your dues statement. In order to financially support all these programs one of the top priorities of the Trust board is fundraising. We want to get the message out that while these programs have been quite successful, we really need donations to keep them going. We ask that you consider a donation to the DFI Educational Trust this year as an investment in the future of our industry. We need to attract more young people and women into all aspects of our industry whether as a contractor, consultant, supplier, academic or owner. I would like to thank outgoing Chair Dan Dragone for all his hard work in this position and the financial support he brought from Bauer Equipment. I would also like to thank all the other previous chairs, Byrl Williams, David Coleman and Richard Short, who led this board from nothing more than an idea in 2006 to where we are today. New Langan Scholarship The DFI Educational Trust and Langan Engineering & Environmental Services announce a new scholarship in the Langan Engineering & Environmental Services Legacy Scholarship Fund. The George P. Ke l l e y Memor i a l Scholarship has been established and is planned to provide scholarships to civil engineering students at Drexel University. George P. Kelley, P.E., was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa., and was a member of the four-person founding team of Langan Engineering & Environmental Services. Since Langan’s funding in 1970, he was a key leader at the firm, who helped grow the company into a large, multinational business with over 1,000 employees. He was a passionate leader within the company, and served as the chairman of the board of directors for 10 years. His commitment to Langan employees is underscored every year wi th the “George P. Kel ley Tracy Brettmann, P.E., D.GE, Chair [email protected] Empowerment Award,” which is given annually to an employee who demonstrates leadership results through empowerment. Kelley attended Duke University and earned a BSCE in 1965. After two tours in Vietnam in the United States Naval Construction Battalions (“Seabees”) as a Lieutenant from 1965 to 1967, he pursued a MSCE from Purdue University and graduated in 1968. Kelley’s family, friends and coworkers benefited greatly from his upbeat personality, his relentless optimism and his unlimited energy. These qualities inspired all those who knew him. He was a strong believer in hard work and the power of confidence and positive thinking, which was a winning combination in all of his endeavors. Kelley passed away on June 18, 2018. 2019 Trust Events Pennsylvania Golf Outing July 15, 2019 DFI Educational Trust Chartiers Country Club Pittsburgh, Pa. Educational Trust/ACE Mentor Program of New Jersey Annual Golf Outing August 15, 2019 Royce Brook Golf Club Hillsborough, N.J. DFI Educational Trust California Golf Outing October 21, 2019 Castlewood Country Club Pleasanton, Calif. DFI Educational Trust 14 Annual Gala Fundraising Dinner November 2019 th New York/New Jersey area DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2019 • 57
