BESSER SCHOLARSHIP
The Besser Scholarship presented by the ACPA's Research & Education Foundation
The Besser Scholarship is a $3,500 college scholarship that is awarded to a student whose course of study is related to concrete pipe production, application/installation or research. Any and all students who attend (or plan to attend) a technical program, community college, or university (undergraduate or graduate program) are encouraged to apply.
The Besser Scholarship program is intended to help attract and/or retain students who will make a positive impact on the concrete pipe industry.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why was the scholarship established?
In 2016 the scholarship was established in recognition of the American Concrete Pipe Association’s annual National Concrete Pipe Week. The employee-owners of Besser Company established the scholarship, with the ACPA Foundation, to invest in talented and energetic students, that have an interest in joining our industry and moving it forward.
The Besser Scholarship is a tribute to Jesse Besser, Jon Dannenberg, Joe Pelchat and countless others who embraced training and education as pillars of Besser Company. Through their foresight, ingenuity, dedication and leadership Besser Company earned an industry-wide reputation for providing impactful training during Pipe Schools held in Sioux City, Iowa, onsite courses in producers’ facilities and as part of ACPA’s annual Pipe School. Besser staff train and educate hundreds of industry members annually about the production of concrete pipe, box culverts and all shapes of dry cast and wet cast products, mix designs, machine operation and maintenance and curing.
When are applications due?
The scholarship must be submitted by 11:59 pm CT on October 30th, 2024.
How can a student apply?
Application forms for the 2025 scholarship can be accessed by clicking the button below. Applications are due by October 30th, 2024. The committee will review applications and award the scholarship at the 2025 ACPA Pipe School being held in February 10th - 13th, 2025, in Columbus, OH.
About Besser Company
Besser is headquartered in Alpena, Michigan and has locations in Boone and Sioux City, Iowa, Compton, California and Montreal, Canada. Besser equipment is operating in more than 130 countries worldwide. The company supplies complete manufacturing systems for the pipe, precast, masonry, hardscape and ready-mix segments of the industry. In addition, Besser manufactures curing systems for all segments of the concrete industry. The company manufacturers parts, provides service and offers training from manufacturing locations staffed with Sales and Technical Service Representatives throughout the world.
Scholarship Recipients
2024
Claire Puckett, Troup High School, Tyler, TX
Kayla Harris, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Peter Benson, South Dakota State University, Sioux Falls, SD
2023
Ava Wesner, Posen High School, Posen, Michigan
Michael McDole, Student at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
2022
Connor Davidson, Civil Engineering student, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Joseph McDaniel, Graduate Student at Middle Tennessee State University School of Concrete, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
2021
Amit Pokharel, Graduate Research Assistant at University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
2020
Dania Flores, Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program at California State University, Chico, California
2019
Danielle McCrackin, studying for an MBA at Southern New Hampshire University, Hooksett, New Hampshire
Matthew Mackowski, Civil Engineering degree at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey
2018
Mason Davis, Concrete Industry Management degree at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas
2017
Joe Pelica, Mechanical Engineering Technology student at Delta College, Bay City, Michigan