The Recycling Research Foundation (RRF), a nonprofit organization closely associated with the Washington-based Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), has awarded its 2015 National Veterans Stipend to Erik Speelmans. Recognizing the need for financial aid as veterans seek to complete their degrees, the scholarship awards up to $8,000 to those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The stipend covers $2,000 per year and is renewable for up to four years or for the length of study. The National Veterans Stipend was created in 2013.
“The Recycling Research Foundation is proud to honor Erik Speelmans with the Veterans Stipend as he pursues an education in business management,” says ISRI President Robin Wiener. “We are extremely grateful for Erik’s service as a member of the United States Air Force and wish him continued success.”
She adds, “The goal of the Veterans Stipend is to provide educational opportunities to those who served our nation. For Erik, that means helping him toward achieving his goal of one day owning his own business.”
Speelmans is currently pursuing a degree in business management at George Mason University. During his time in the Air Force, he enjoyed leading and managing teams. The experience made Speelmans want to learn more about managing people and businesses.
“Like many high school graduates, I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life, and the military gave me the experience and direction I needed,” Speelmans says.
“I am very grateful for this stipend through the Recycling Research Foundation, and I thank all those involved in the selection process,” he adds.
Speelmans would like to open his own restaurant in the near futurre. He is currently working in the restaurant industry and feels that the combined knowledge of restaurant operations and a degree in business management is a winning combination for his success, according to ISRI.
The Recycling Research Foundation’s mission is to promote the art and science of scrap processing and recycling through research, sponsorships, technical assistance and educational programs for the purpose of advancing the industry. Over the last 10 years, the foundation has fulfilled this mission in two primary areas: the offering of scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students and the funding of research beneficial to the industry.
Since 2002, the foundation has awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to more than 700 students and has overseen much needed research into the recycling of electronic scrap.