This spring, five students received scholarships sponsored by the members of the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI). Since 2015, the group has helped 39 students finance their supply chain educations with more than $153,000 in RMI scholarships.
The purpose of these awards is to attract more students to careers in supply chain and material handling, said John Schmidt, CEO of RMI member Rack Builders Inc. Schmidt is also the current President of RMI.
“RMI scholarships benefit undergraduates who will soon be at the forefront of rack design, engineering, and use,” Schmidt noted. “RMI members strongly believe the future of supply chain depends on empowering the next generation of logistics and operations leaders. These scholarships help them gain both the knowledge and the opportunity to innovate and thrive.”
Attracting members of the future workforce is a priority for MHI and its industry groups, including RMI, added Mary Alyson Ammons, Executive Director of the Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI).
“For the supply chain industry to continue to grow, RMI and other industry leaders are working to raise awareness of the many opportunities within the field,” she said. “RMI’s scholarships help MHEFI provide financial support that attracts talent to our industry.”
This past spring, MHEFI awarded a total of 71 scholarships totaling $278,000 for the coming 2025/2026 academic year, Ammons continued. Of those funds, $25,000 originated from RMI.
Requirements for RMI Scholarship Eligibility
To be eligible for RMI scholarships, applicants must meet specific criteria. The awards are open only to undergraduates enrolled full-time through an entire school year. Applicants must also aspire to a career in logistics, material handling, or supply chain. Other qualifications include a commitment to excellence, proven leadership skills, growth potential, and dedication to their educational pursuits. Each RMI scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and other expenses associated with full-time enrollment.
RMI offers two different scholarships. One memorializes Dan Clapp, who led RMI’s Standards Advisory and Engineering Committees for multiple terms. The other is a group of Honor Scholarships underwritten by ASG Services, which produces load capacity plaques.
Dan Clapp’s Dedication to RMI Honored by Award
Not long after he passed away in July 2020, RMI members created the $5,000 Daniel Clapp Memorial Scholarship. The award honors the dedication of one of RMI’s most involved volunteers.
“The rack and storage industry owes a tremendous debt to Dan for his commitment to and passion for safety,” Schmidt said. “He cared deeply about the development of various standards, publications, and the R-Mark® Certification program. Today’s standards for safety in the rack and storage industry owe a significant debt to his engineering expertise and committed leadership.”
The winner of the $5,000 Daniel Clapp Memorial Scholarship for the 2025/2026 academic year was Jude Sanborn. Sanborn studies industrial engineering at Virginia Tech. Among his credentials were internships with Newport News Shipbuilding and Cardinal Home Center, a building supply retailer. An Eagle Scout, Sanborn also serves as an ambassador for his school’s department of industrial and systems engineering. He is a member of the honor society for industrial and systems engineering students, Alpha Pi Mu.
RMI Honor Scholarships Funded by Load Capacity Plaque Purchases
ASG Services, which created the load capacity plaque program with RMI in 2007, proposed funneling plaque purchase proceeds to underwrite RMI Honor Scholarships. It’s been an honor to continue to provide the financial support for these scholarships, said David Grundy, Director of ASG Services.
“Shortly after opening our U.S. offices, our founder met former MHI CEO John Nofsinger,” recalled Grundy. “Connecting with John helped our company build key relationships in the material handling and supply chain field. Because the load capacity plaques support the industry’s goal of improving warehouse safety practices, we felt it was important to give back.”
RMI members order the plaques through an online tool that creates a rack layout matching specific system information. The system applies the manufacturer’s logo and R-Mark® (if applicable). Plaques purchased by RMI members are discounted, and ASG Services donates a portion of the total to the RMI Honor Scholarship fund. The company also allocates a percentage of other online store purchases made by RMI members to the scholarships.
Since its inception, Grundy calculates that his company has donated more than $200,000. The company believes strongly in educating future supply chain talent, and in its MHI membership.
“We enjoy tremendous benefits by being MHI members, including connections, resources, and support,” he said. “The association’s ongoing encouragement and assistance have been key contributors to our success. Funding scholarships to help the industry’s future workforce is a small way to pay it forward.”
Four students received RMI Honor Scholarships for the 2025/2026 academic year. They include:
Erin Barker, Louisiana State University
Barker, an Industrial Engineering major, received a $5,000 RMI Honor Scholarship. She works as undergraduate research assistant within LSU’s department of mechanical and industrial engineering. Previously an intern with Textron Systems, Barker is also a member of the LSU Society of Peer Mentors. She also participates in the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, the LSU Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, and the LSU Society of Women Engineers.
Sophia Han, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Awarded a $5,000 RMI Honor Scholarship, Han is an Industrial Engineering student. She is currently participating in Doosan Bobcat’s Quality Engineer co-op program. Additionally, she is pursuing a Six Sigma Black Belt certification as part of her studies.
Grant Robertson, Virginia Tech
The recipient of a $5,000 RMI Honor Scholarship, Robertson is majoring in Industrial Engineering. Having already earned a Six Sigma Green Belt, Robertson interned with Regal Rexnord. He also works as an undergraduate research assistant for the Hume Center for National Security and Technology.
Jonathan Blatt, Oklahoma State University
Blatt, an Eagle Scout, won a $5,000 RMI Honor Scholarship. He is an Industrial Engineering major in OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology. Blatt also serves as the student lead for the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs targeting students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Learn More About RMI Scholarships
Want more details about RMI scholarships and how undergrads can apply? Visit MHEFI’s Student Eligibility information site. To contribute to MHEFI scholarships — including those offered by RMI — visit the donor page.
