The Portland Cement Association has established a new foundation to help finance education programs in nearly every facet of the cement and concrete industries, from university research fellowships to career recruitment and craft training. The Education Foundation Board of Directors met for the first time on November 11, 2001, in conjunction with PCA's Fall Meeting.

The initial endowment for the Education Foundation is $3.5 million, funded by the net proceeds from the sale of PCA's excess property last year. Through fund-raising activities, PCA hopes to increase that figure to $6-$10 million over the next several years.

Initially, the foundation will have an annual budget of $285,000. That figure assumes $245,000 of investment income from the $3.5 million base. Another $40,000 of existing PCA funding for research fellowships will be rolled into the Foundation.

The scope of Foundation activities will include these programs and initiatives:

• Provide direct educational grants for student scholarships, fellowships, and university professorships with a focus on increasing the use of cement and concrete.
• Sponsor educators and students attending cement- and concrete-related workshops and seminars.
• Develop educational courses and programs not funded through cement and concrete industry associations.
• Develop supporting educational materials such as computer software, literature, and audiovisual materials.
• Provide new educational opportunities for students, such as internships, to generate awareness and stimulate interest in careers in the cement and concrete industries.
• Encourage international exchanges in the area of education and training.

In addition, educational activities currently offered by other associations or institutions qualify for co-sponsorship or cooperative donations. The establishment of the Foundation comes in response to the elevated role of education and training in PCA's strategic plan, which the board approved last year, says James Repman, president, Glacier Northwest, and chairman of the board of the Education Foundation.

The Education Foundation Board, a body of ten people elected by PCA members, will govern the new initiative. Foundation board members will review and approve all proposals for projects and activities. More information can be obtained by contacting James Rappel at jrappel@portcement.org or Richard Bohan at rbohan@portcement.org