The Ohio Environmental Service Industries (OESI) announced recently that it will again offer four $1,000 scholarships for students majoring in environmental safety and occupational health at The University of Findlay for the 2008-2009 academic year.

In October, OESI honored four University students for their commitment to pursue a profession in environmental science. Each student received a scholarship check for $1,000 from OESI to help cover the cost of his or her environmental college education in 2007-2008.

The scholarships were awarded to Sherilea Demlow of Orrville, Ohio; Curtis Hoag of Forest, Ohio; Kristen Hotaling of Findlay, Ohio; and Alyssa Riedy of Centerville, Ohio.

University officials selected the students to receive the OESI scholarships. Each student met the following criteria:
• Student must be an Ohio resident enrolled full time at UF as a freshman or first-year student;
• Student must declare a major in environmental safety and occupational health or demonstrate interest in an environmental career; and
• Student must have a B average or better.

For the 2008-2009 academic year, students need to apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or contact Robin Hopkins, assistant director of admissions, at 419-434-4161 and indicate their interest in environmental careers. Additional questions can be directed to William S. Carter, Ph.D., director of environmental safety and health management academic programs, at 419-434-6919 or carter@findlay.edu.

“OESI and its members congratulate these students on their scholarships — we are very proud to participate in their education,” said Rudy Vingris, vice president of OESI and scholarship chairman. “We hope you find your careers in the environment as rewarding and fulfilling as those of us at OESI have.”

The scholarships were presented at OESI’s fall business meeting in Columbus at the Athletic Club. Parents, state legislators and media representatives from the recipients’ hometowns were invited to attend.

This was the first time OESI has set aside funds for scholarships. It marks a new day in the organization’s efforts to attract young professionals to the field of responsible solid and hazardous waste management in Ohio. With more than half of all environmental professionals retiring within the next 10 years, there is a need for new professionals to enter the field. OESI is committed to supporting education and training of future generations of environmental professionals to work in the hazardous waste industry.

The University of Findlay was the first University in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree program in hazardous waste management, now a full-fledged program with emphasis areas in industrial hygiene, environmental management, emergency management and environmental compliance. The University also offers a master’s degree program in environmental safety and health management, which blends environmental science, engineering and business decision-making at a graduate level. The program combines science, engineering, policy and business concepts.

OESI is a professional association of chemical recycling, treatment and disposal facilities in Ohio that offer hazardous waste incineration, deep-well injection, landfill disposal, fuel blending, solvent and oil recycling, and other waste management services. OESI was established in 1998 to promote responsible business practices and sound regulatory programs for managing hazardous wastes. Each year, member companies receive and process about 600,000 tons of hazardous waste generated by other businesses and industries in the region. This represents about 70 percent of the total hazardous waste commercially treated, recycled or disposed in Ohio.