BEMA Rises to the Occasion: Investing in the Baking
Industry's Future
BEMA is committed
to educating the baking industry's workforce. Steve
Wright, former BEMA Chairman of the Board and President
of Hansaloy Corporation, noted, "BEMA has one
of the most comprehensive scholarship programs in
the baking industry. As the baking industry suppliers
association, BEMA is committed to advancing the knowledge
and skills of those entering or currently employed
in the baking industry."
Providing scholarships
is nothing new to BEMA. In 1984, BEMA launched its
first scholarship program. Using funds earned from
the International Baking Industry Exposition, $50,000
was allocated for scholarships to BEMA. BEMA named
its scholarship program after former president Tom
Belshaw. Six years later, a second $50,000 was added
from IBIE to the scholarship efforts for both associations.
This time, however, BEMA honored former president
Robert Loeb by naming a second scholarship program
after him.
Today, these
two programs have been combined into the Belshaw-Loeb
Scholarship Fund. Interest earned from the investments
in this fund is used for scholarships to attend baking
technology or maintenance courses at the American
Institute of Baking in Manhattan, Kansas.
Perhaps, Daniel
Taylor, one of BEMA's most recent scholarship recipients,
best sums up the value of BEMA's scholarship:
"I
have recently been informed that I am a recipient
of the Belshaw-Loeb Scholarship. I cannot express
how honored I feel to have this gift bestowed upon
me. Being a self-sponsored student, I did not know
how I was going to pay for school. You can imagine
how excited I was to hear that my tuition was already
provided.
My plans
after graduation are to return home and work on
a business degree. I then plan on helping run our
family bakery so that I can take it over when my
parents retire. I hope to one day have the business
built to the point where I can take in apprentices
that are still in high school or college. That way
I can teach others everything that I have learned.
I again
want to express my deep gratitude for the generosity
you have shown me. I only hope that I am able to
repay this debt by building our industry in the
future. Thank you for all that you have done. I
will do everything in my power to live up to the
high expectations that you have of a scholarship
recipient."
Tom Belshaw |
Bob Loeb |
BELSHAW-LOEB
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Tom Belshaw
and Bob Loeb remain actively involved with BEMA's
scholarship program, acting as trustees of the Belshaw-Loeb
Scholarship Fund. Upon learning of Daniel's comments,
Bob commented, "These are the things that make
it all worthwhile."
BILL
PULVER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Bill
Pulver |
In 1997, a
second scholarship program was launched by BEMA. As
a tribute to the memory and dedication to the baking
industry of Bill Pulver, a former BEMA president,
there was an outpouring of contributions to the Association
for the establishment of a scholarship program in
his name. Dick Pulver, Bill's brother, noted, "This
scholarship fund is a fitting tribute to Bill. He
so loved the baking industry and was extremely supportive
of education." Interest earned from the contributed
funds is earmarked to support BEMA member employees
to attend educational programs in the United States.
This fund has grown to nearly $60,000.
GENERAL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The BEMA board
of directors has also established a general scholarship
program. In 2000, the board charged a committee to
develop a comprehensive scholarship program, not limited
to grants for AIB courses or member companies.
Ed Fay, chairman
of the Member Services & Education Committee,
noted, "BEMA's leadership recognizes the importance
of recruiting competent workers to the baking industry
and assisting and supporting their continued learning
and skills development."
At the end
of 2000, the BEMA board earmarked $500,000 of its
investments for scholarships. Interest earned from
these funds will underwrite scholarships for those
entering and currently employed in the baking industry.
The program criteria indicate that awards will be
given for educational courses, programs, seminars
and workshops sponsored in the United States for the
benefit of the baking industry.
BEMA is proud
to be a supporter of education in the baking industry.
