February 2022 Volume 4

FORGING RESEARCH

The Forging Foundation News

New FIERF Scholarship in Honor of Al Underys

FIA Launches Its Next Gen Group

The FIERF Board of Trustees approved renaming its newest scholarship program in memory of Al Underys with a FIERF match challenge up to 25K toward this scholarship program! Al was instrumental in founding the Finkl Scholarship program and for decades was

involved with FIERF as one of its most ardent supporters. As a FIERF Trustee and President (2013-2016) Al was tireless when it came to setting direction for forging research and championing student support and university technology grants. Al was also the longtime chair of the FIA’s Forging Defense Manufacturing Consortium (FDMC). Al was even one of the early supporters of FIA starting Forge Fair when committee meetings started to balloon with supplier tabletops suggesting perhaps we could have our very own trade show! Sadly Al passed away just before Thanksgiving after bravely battling an illness. The Al Underys Engineering, Metallurgical & Material Sciences Memorial Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in engineering. Scholarship recipients will complete an internship with an FIA member company after receiving the award. Applications will be available on the FIERF website on Monday, February 1, 2022. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2022 and recipients will be announced in June. Donate today to help fund scholarships for future students interested in the forging industry... and your donation will be matched! You can donate to this scholarship by visiting www.fierf.org/donate.

The FIA Next Gen Group is comprised of individuals (approximate age 20-40) who are young business and manufacturing employees working in the forging industry. The Next Gen Group will provide an opportunity to collaborate with peers, share experiences, and discuss the challenges facing the forging industry. Our mission is to increase awareness and attractiveness of the industry, as well as help to create the next wave of leadership. Group members have the opportunity to enjoy plant tours, receive continuing education and training hours through the e-learning Forging University Platform, network, and attend meetings and events to stay up to date with ideas and issues from all over the industry. Getting involved is a great way to meet young professionals in the field, explore career opportunities, find mentors, and get the skills and knowledge you need for advancement. This is also a great way to advance professional relationships and stay informed as a younger employee. If you are interested in meeting other likeminded professionals across the forging industry, this group is for you!

Didn’t Get a Chance to Make Your End of the Year Gift?

We invite you to partner with FIERF to help develop our future workforce; for research projects that connect you with academia and provide practical knowledge for your company; and for unique networking opportunities.

Are You aWoman in the Forging Industry Looking to Get More Involved?

Join FIA’s Women in Forging Group today! Women in Forging is a Networking Group created by the Forging Industry Association (and FIERF) to help women in the industry connect, network, build relationships, mentor young women and empower females in the forging industry to continue to grow in leadership roles.

The Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF) builds our future workforce by promoting our industry, awarding scholarships, identifying and sharing employment opportunities, and encouraging participation in forging research and projects. Make a year-end donation to FIERF online at www.fierf.org/donate. Thank you for your support! If you are interested in learning more about the Forging Foundation or any of the above opportunities, please contact Amanda Dureiko at amanda@forging.org.

Each quarter, the group will hold an event to provide professional development and networking opportunities for women in our industry. Our next event will be a luncheon in Dearborn, MI at the Eagle Tavern on March 30, 2022 from 1-2pm, with an optional museum tour at the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation to follow. Register for the Women in Forging Luncheon online at www. forging.org/about/events/131.

FIA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2022 86