CGIF and GMIC Receive Generous Grants to Support Outreach Programs
Pedro M. Riveros, Air Products Director of Strategy, Technology, and Sourcing IG Americas, presents a check to Bob Lipetz of the GMIC and Marcus Fish of the CGIF
The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation (CGIF) and The Glass Manufacturing Industry Council (GMIC), are pleased to announce the receipt of a generous grant from the Owens-Illinois (O-I) Charities Foundation, as well as unique funding from Air Products of Allentown, Pennsylvania, to foster innovation by the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals.
The Air Products Foundation donated $100 on behalf of each visitor to its hospitality suite at the 79th Conference on Glass Problems (GPC), which totaled $15,000. The GPC, which is presented by the GMIC, took place November 5 – 8, 2018, at the Greater Columbus (Ohio) Convention Center.
“For more than 50 years, Air Products has been committed to helping glass producers improve their operations with innovative combustion and industrial gas technologies,” said Rick Beuttel, director of Business Development‒Americas at Air Products. “We are excited to share our passion for innovation with the next generation of glass professionals through this donation to the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation.”
Founded in 1940, Air Products is a world-leading industrial gases company that provides atmospheric and process gases and related equipment to manufacturing markets, including glass, refining and petrochemical, metals, electronics, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world’s leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment.
The CGIF and GMIC also received a grant in the amount of $20,000 to support CGIF outreach programs and provide travel grants to college-age students.
The CGIF will use $10,000 of the grant to support the Foundation’s programs which introduce middle school and high school students to ceramic and glass science. The remaining $10,000 will fund travel grants that will allow university engineering students to attend the 79th Conference on Glass Problems to be held November 5 – 8, 2018, at the Greater Columbus (Ohio) Convention Center. The conference is the largest glass manufacturing conference in North America and attracts glass manufacturers and suppliers worldwide to exchange innovations and solutions.
“We are extremely grateful to the O-I Charities Foundation for this generous grant which will enable us to expand our outreach programs,” said Marcus Fish, Director of Development for the CGIF. “Providing travel assistance to students helps further our mission of supporting the next generation of glass scientists and engineers.”
“We are grateful for the foresight and progressive vision of the O-I Charities Foundation in support of their community”, said Bob Lipetz, GMIC’s Executive Director. “This significant support provides students the opportunity to network with industry leaders at the Conference on Glass Problems, as well as providing industry the opportunity to develop the next generation of glass industry professionals.”