Thomas Wanke was a monumental figure in fluid power, active for more than 50 years and influencing generations of fluid power engineers through his work at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, its Fluid Power Institute, and with the National Fluid Power Association.
NFPA Education and Technology Foundation have awarded three Thomas Wanke Legacy Fund scholarships.
To honor his memory and ensure that his positive impact on fluid power education continues to be felt, the NFPA Education and Technology Foundation announced that it would administer the Thomas Wanke Legacy Fund, to support fluid power scholarships and education activities at universities throughout the United States.
Total donations exceed $30,000, marking the milestone to qualify for the maximum matching gift of $25,000 that was pledged by the NFPA. The fund now has more than $55,000 to use in supporting fluid power education.
In its second year, three students earned $2,000 toward their tuition expenses. When selecting the awardees of the Tom Wanke Legacy Fund, the judges were looking for students who were:
- Passionate in their academics
- Active in extracurricular activities
- Dedicated to obtaining careers in the fluid power industry
Based on that criterion, NFPA industry member judges selected Emily Bolin, Evan Fender, and Riley Mack.
Emily Bolin
“As a former competitive Junior Olympic gymnast, I vividly remember a meet supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where another gymnast told her story as a cancer survivor with a hip disarticulation. Despite having a full-length artificial leg to replace the amputated limb, she was still able to compete due to her advanced prosthetic that utilized pneumatics. I was amazed to see her perseverance working with mechanics and fluid systems as she competed and continued to live an active lifestyle. Since then, I have been fascinated with fluid systems working with the human body and want to learn more,” said Emily who is studying, Mechanical Engineering at Grace College.
Evan Fender
Evan Fender, also studying Mechanical Engineering at Wright State University, said that “Winning the Tom Wanke Legacy Fund award is a great honor and validation of my dedication to the field. It represents not only recognition but also the opportunity to further my goals in fluid power and engineering. I am extremely grateful for the support this award provides as I continue pursuing my passion and striving to make an impact in engineering.”
Riley Mack
“Awards such as this are incredibly beneficial to students like me who are not following the traditional four-year college plan. I have been working since I was 14 years old to help pay my own way,” said Riley Mack, a Service Technician student at Garden City Community College. “In agricultural machinery, hydraulics operate implements and perform various tasks. Fluid power will be present daily as I service and repair different types of equipment.”
Since 2023, six students have been awarded a Tom Wanke Legacy Fund Scholarship, totaling $12,000. Donations are still welcome at nfpa.com/donate-now.
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