Source: National Swimming Pool Foundation
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO./ October 22, 2014 — Nine university students have been awarded a total of $14,000 in Scholarships and Fellowships by non-profit National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) Board of Directors for the year calendar year 2015. The two award programs have been funded annually for nearly a dozen years. NSPF has provided education assistance to 129 students, totaling $184,500.
The National Swimming Pool Foundation’s Certified Pool/Spa Operator® (CPO®) certification graduates and their family members are recognized with the Scholarship Program to help them pursue their college dreams; the Fellowship program was established to encourage and provide assistance to graduate, and post-doctoral research fellows, helping young scholars as they chart their careers. These young adults benefit in their educational development each time a person purchases an NSPF educational product or enrolls in a CPO® certification course.
“This award program gives to individuals who have a passion and motivation to create their distinct future and who embrace the power of learning,” said Bill Kent, NSPF Scholarship Review Committee Chair. “We are passionate about helping these young adults as they strive to make the world a better place through action and giving back,” he added.
The Awards Committee took inspiration from a thank you note received from Summer Olson who wrote, “Lifting some of the financial burden of school will allow me to better focus on my academic and career goals. I will work hard to be successful so that I can make a beneficial contribution to not only the NSPF organization, but society as a whole. I have the utmost respect for everything this organization stands for, and I hope to channel those values and moral integrity into my future endeavors.”
The Scholarship Committee approved $8,000 in scholarships to six students who are pursuing higher education around the U.S., in a variety of subject areas: Alexandra June Adams — Central College, received the P. Cory Willis Scholarship for $1,000; Roxanne Klemm — St. Catherine University, was awarded the D.J. Wright Scholarship for $1,000; Kassidy Marie Kohout – University of Wisconsin-Platteville, received a Board of Directors Scholarship for $2,000; Summer Olson— University of South Dakota, was also awarded a Board of Directors Scholarship for $2,000; Karian Tjader — College of Lake County, was recipient of the Phillip Sperber Scholarship for $1,000; and Brittany Catherine Viboch — Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, was awarded the William Rowley Scholarship for $1,000.
The NSPF® Fellowship Program awarded $6,000 to three doctoral students who are performing risk reduction or health benefit research related to aquatic activities and/or venues such as swimming pools, spas/hot tubs, therapy pools, and waterparks. Their efforts help to keep pools safer, and open.
Adam Bradley Katchmarchi is a doctoral student in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. Adam’s mission is to raise the bar for aquatic education and to conduct research that will further the field of drowning prevention and water safety to help save lives.
Talin Louder is a Presidential Doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Utah State University, in Logan, Utah. His cuttingedge research has examined the effect of environment (land and water) on postural stability, an important topic that effects populations such as the elderly who are prone to falling.
Katarzyna Ratajczak is a research investigator and Junior Lecturer at the Poznan University of Technology in Poznan, Poland. Katarzyna, also a swimmer, is focusing her field of work on HVAC installations and energy efficient systems for buildings — especially swimming pools — where in Poland, there is unawareness how DBPs are formed.
How to apply for NSPF Scholarships and Fellowships
Direct family members of individuals who have earned a Certified Pool/Spa Operator® certification may apply for the 2015-2016 year scholarships prior to June 1, 2015. Applications for scholarships and fellowships are available at www.nspf.org.
About National Swimming Pool Foundation
Everything we do, we believe, helps people live healthier lives. We believe we are making a difference by encouraging aquatic activity, making pools safer, and keeping them open. We do this by offering products and programs that are technically sound, convenient, and beautifully designed. Our products are designed to deliver excellence in education and cutting-edge research. Over $ 4 million in grants funded by NSPF since 2003 have impacted policies and practices around the world; and we attract hundreds of professionals from around the globe to the World Aquatic Health Conference each year to learn of the latest advances. In 2012, we launched Step Into Swim™ Campaign, a 10-year initiative to create 1 million more swimmers. To find ways to work together, go to www.nspf.org.
