To help build the next generation of supply chain talent, the members of the Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI) continue to invest in academic scholarships. Funded through the Material Handling Education Foundation, Inc. (MHEFI), four students received RMI scholarships in 2026 to support their studies in supply chain and related fields.
These scholarships provide financial support and introduce students to the breadth of opportunities within material handling, said Jonathan Hirst, Vice President and General Manager at North American Storage Equipment Company (NASECO), a member of RMI. Hirst also serves as Co-Chair of the RMI Education Committee.
“We want to find the next rack engineering superstars and create that path,” he said. “This is an opportunity to open students’ eyes to the variety and depth of what this industry can offer.”
Hirst emphasized that today’s supply chain careers extend far beyond traditional perceptions of engineering roles. “There are a lot of exciting technical opportunities in improving life safety, and in areas like automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and operations planning,” he said. “Engineers today are far more integrated on the front end, working on workflow design and interacting with customers in ways we haven’t seen before.”
That dynamic nature is part of what makes the field so appealing. “You’re applying the same engineering principles, but across many different industries and projects,” Hirst added. “It’s not one long, drawn-out project—it’s a constant flow of new challenges. That’s what keeps the rack engineering industry fresh and engaging.”
RMI Scholarship Recipients Must Meet Specific Criteria
RMI scholarship applicants must meet several requirements in order to be eligible for the awards. Students must demonstrate full-time enrollment for a complete school year. Only undergraduate students can apply. Applicants must also intend to pursue supply chain, material handling, or logistics as a career. Other requirements include dedication to excellence, strong leadership skills, potential for growth, and persistence in pursuing their education. Each scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and other costs associated with attending school full-time.
RMI awards two different scholarships, added Hirst. “One honors Dan Clapp, who served several terms as Chair of RMI’s Standards Advisory and Engineering Committees. The second are Honor Scholarships underwritten by ASG Services, the producer of RMI’s load capacity plaques,” he explained.
Memorial Scholarship Honors Dan Clapp’s Memory
RMI members established the $5,000 Daniel Clapp Memorial Scholarship after his passing in July 2020. The award celebrates the legacy of one of RMI’s most dedicated volunteers. Clapp was heavily involved in the development of multiple RMI standards, publications, and the R-Mark® Certification program.
Payton Rude, North Dakota State University
RMI awarded the Daniel Clapp Memorial Scholarship to Payton Rude for the 2026/2027 academic year. Rude, a rising junior, is a civil engineering major at North Dakota State University (NDSU). An engineering internship at Mid America Steel reaffirmed that choice of studies, during which he saw firsthand the importance of steel’s availability throughout the supply chain. On campus, Rude has held several leadership roles and completed more than 150 hours of service with FarmHouse Fraternity. He also is the president of the Steel Bridge Design Team and and social events coordinator for NDSU Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Upon graduation, Rude will become his family’s third-generation civil engineer.
Load Capacity Plaque Sales Continue to Support RMI Honor Scholarships
Since first partnering with RMI in 2007 to develop the load capacity plaque program, ASG Services has remained a consistent supporter of the RMI Honor Scholarship fund. According to David Grundy, Director at ASG Services, the program continues to generate meaningful contributions tied directly to plaque sales.
“Everything has really stayed consistent overall,” Grundy said. “We make the plaques, and we donate the money to fund the scholarships. We’re pleased to support the workforce of the future in this way.”
While the program experienced a brief slowdown in 2025, reflecting broader industry conditions, demand has rebounded in 2026. “This year has started strong,” he noted. “Customers are ordering at the volumes we were seeing a couple of years ago, so it feels like things are getting back to where they ought to be.”
That steady participation continues to translate into funding for future talent. Since the program’s inception, ASG Services has contributed an estimated $240,000 to the scholarship fund. This annual support typically funds three to five students each year.
Looking ahead, Grundy’s company is also exploring ways to expand the program’s reach and impact. Planned updates to its online ordering platform—and potential expansion of product offerings—aim to increase participation and, in turn, scholarship contributions.
“We’ve got some tweaks coming to the site to help boost usage,” he said, noting that broader access and additional safety-related products could further support the initiative.
Even as the program evolves, its core mission remains unchanged, continued Grundy. “It’s a way to connect everyday rack safety best practices with long-term investment in the industry’s workforce,” he added.
Three Students Awarded RMI Honor Scholarships
For the 2026/2027 academic year, three students received $5,000 RMI Honor Scholarships sponsored by ASG Services. They are:
Brady Boone, University of Tennessee (UT)
Boone is a rising senior at UT majoring in industrial and systems engineering with a minor in engineering management. He chose to concentrate on material handling and logistics because he wants to learn how a facility functions and how layout affects daily operations. His career objective is to work in manufacturing operations, designing systems that are efficient, reliable, and practical within the industry. Boone completed an IT project management internship at Smith & Wesson, where he observed the connection between IT systems and production and learned ways to prevent bottlenecks.
Vicki Dong, University of Pittsburgh (Pitt)
An incoming junior at Pitt, Dong is majoring in industrial engineering. She interned with PennDOT as a construction inspector, gaining hands-on experience with inventory tracking and cost management. She also had experience as a product growth intern for Split Expenses. Dong serves as a mentor for the Society of Women Engineers, is on the undergraduate committee and is a mentor for the Chinese American Student Association and is a member of Phi Beta Lambda.
Angelica Sanyal, Northern Illinois University (NIU)
Driven by her interests in building, problem-solving, and processes, Sanyal is a rising sophomore majoring in industrial and systems engineering at NIU. She completed a project management internship with Systems in Motion and has served as a research assistant at NIU. Sanyal also works as an assistant editor on NIU’s Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) Newsletter and actively participates in her school’s chapters of the Society of Women Engineers and INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences).
Learn More About RMI Scholarships
Want more details about RMI’s scholarship program and how students can apply? Visit MHEFI’s Student Eligibility information site. To learn more about contributing to MHEFI scholarships—including those offered by RMI—visit the donor page.
