The PMMI Foundation, the charitable arm of PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is announcing the recipients of the 2025 PMMI Foundation academic scholarships. These scholarships recognize outstanding students pursuing degrees in packaging, processing, engineering, automation and related fields at colleges and universities across North America.

This year’s awards highlight the PMMI Foundation’s commitment to preparing the workforce of tomorrow.

“These students represent the heart of the future for packaging and processing,” said Jim Pittas, president and CEO of PMMI. “Their dedication, curiosity and drive will help our industry thrive for years to come. We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors and partners whose support makes these opportunities possible.”

2025 scholarship recipients 

Mark C. Garvey Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to Ella Crespo, California Polytechnic State University, Industrial Technology & Packaging. Established in memory of the former president and CEO of the Garvey Corp., a PMMI Member Co., Mark Garvey was a past chairperson of PMMI and a long-time supporter of packaging education. He gave significant time and effort to technical schools in the United States and Canada.

Processing Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to Adelaide Yakubison, Michigan State University, Packaging. This scholarship is awarded to one student attending a North American four-year college or university enrolled in a processing program.

Chuck Yuska Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to Jordan Walz, Hennepin Technical College, Robotics. Named in honor of PMMI's former President and CEO, who served for 28 years, this scholarship is awarded to a student representing innovation in the packaging industry.

Electrical Engineering Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to Jacob Robertson, New River Community College, Electrical Engineering Technology. This scholarship is awarded to one student attending a North American college or university with a focus on electrical and computer engineering.

Mechanical Engineering Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to Christian Page, University of New Hampshire, Mechanical Engineering

Packaging & Processing Women’s Leadership Network Scholarship: $5,000 awarded to Brooklynn Cooper, Michigan State University, Packaging Science. This scholarship aims to support women's careers in the packaging and processing industry.

Pack Expo Scholarship: $30,000 awarded. This scholarship is the beneficiary of PMMI’s Pack gives Back events at Pack Expo International and Pack Expo Las Vegas. Each year, six $5,000 scholarships are awarded to students attending a college or university in North America.

Recipients include:

• Clayton Gons, Rutgers University, Packaging Engineering
• Coleman Meagher, University of Louisville, Mechanical Engineering
• Elle Steuer, Purdue University Northwest, Mechanical Engineering
• John Emerson, Clemson University, Mechanical Engineering
• Lisbet Barragan, Michigan State University, Packaging
• Natalie Braun, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

PMMI Member Family Scholarship: $75,000 awarded to employees or immediate family members of employees at PMMI member companies who are pursuing careers in the packaging and processing industry.

• Anabelle Stevenson, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Mechanical Engineering
• Christian Hall, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Business Management
• Ean Crossley, University of Minnesota Duluth, Mechanical Engineering
• Emery Dooley, Auburn University, Business
• Ethan Sawyer, Tennessee Technological University, Mechanical Engineering
• Jamie Stensgard, Hennepin Technical College, Automation Robotics Engineering Technology
• Joseph McGonagle, Brown University, Chemical Engineering
• Keegan McKillip, Waukesha County Technical College, Robotics & Automation Engineering Technology
• Kelsey True, Merrimack College, Mechanical Engineering
• Laura Sitnik, Binghamton University, Mechanical Engineering
• Mitchell Kennedy, Conestoga College, Mechanical Engineering Technician, Automated Manufacturing
• Natasha Vibhakar, University of South Florida, Supply Chain Management & Finance
• Robert Wall, Purdue University, Mechanical Engineering
• Trenton Hohn, University of Iowa, Industrial & Systems Engineering
• Ryan Monroe, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Electrical Engineering

PMMI scholarship in memory of Claude S. Breeden, Glenn Davis, and Art Schaefer: $28,000 awarded; established in memory of Claude Breeden, Glenn Davis, and Art Schaefer, all of whom were industry leaders and committed to education and workforce development. This year's recipients include:

• Blake, Strickland, East Carolina University, Industrial Engineering Technology
• Caleb, DeAtley, Shawnee State University, Electromechanical Engineering
• Jacob, Kuenzi, Chemeketa Community College, Mechanical Engineering
• Madeline, Kovanda, Front Range Community College, Mechanical Engineering
• Mason, Jochim, Hennepin Technical College, Automation Robotics Engineering Technology
• Michael, Orren, Hennepin Technical College, Mechatronics 
• Vincent, Meyer, Hennepin Technical College, Robotics Engineering

In addition to academic scholarships, the PMMI Foundation continues to fund summer manufacturing camps, student travel assistance to Pack Expo International, Skills Fund matching grants, and other initiatives designed to engage and develop the next generation of packaging professionals. 

Source: PMMI