WAI Chapters Announce 2024 Scholarship Recipients

The Wire Association International (WAI) announced the 2024 scholarship recipients from its participating chapters. Four chapters support these programs each year, including the Midwest Chapter and the Ohio Valley Chapter. The Association continues to see strong engagement and fundraising for education, reflecting members’ lasting commitment to industry development.

Visit WAI’s official website for information about scholarship opportunities and upcoming chapter events.

Midwest Chapter Scholarship Award Winners

The WAI Midwest Chapter awarded three scholarships this year, each valued at $1,500.

Cooper Runzel of Lake Cable emphasized the importance of the program and shared his hopes for future growth. “I’m a firm believer in the Midwest Chapter’s scholarship program,” Runzel said. “I’d like to see it reach even more students and attract sponsorships from outside the chapter.”

2024 Midwest Chapter Scholarship Recipients:

• Jaida Bender, daughter of Robert Bender, Operations Manager at Worth Steel & Machinery, Inc., is pursuing a nursing degree at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
• Jack Dickerson, son of Peter Dickerson, President of MidWest Wire Works, is studying game design at Bradley University.
• Logan Wilson, son of Margaret Wilson, Account Executive at ShapedWire–Liberty Steel, is majoring in mechatronics at Northern Illinois University.

These scholarships support both academic achievement and the industry’s next generation of talent.

Ohio Valley Chapter Awards Its First Scholarship

The WAI Ohio Valley Chapter became the fourth chapter to launch a scholarship program and proudly presented its first‑ever $1,500 award.

“The OVC was honored to join the other chapters and present a scholarship to a very deserving recipient, Katherine Maxwell,” said Stephen Wright of Blachford Corporation. “We look forward to welcoming more individuals into the OVC to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Maxwell, the daughter of Tom Maxwell Jr., President of Die Quip Corporation, attends the University of Kentucky, where she majors in architecture.