October 2019 Association Watch

Meet a Fluid Power Scholarship winner — Rebekah Clark

The NFPA Education and Technology Foundation has awarded $2,000 scholarships to students pursuing fluid power technology fields of study.

One of the winners is Rebekah Clark. She is attending Spokane Community College in Spokane, Washington and is enrolled in the Hydraulic and Pneumatic Automation Technology program. The NFPA asked Rebekah about winning the scholarship.

What does winning a Fluid Power Scholarship mean to you?

Being awarded this Fluid Power Scholarship was such a great honor! Besides the program I’m enrolled in, this scholarship has been my first interaction with the fluid power community. I’m excited to graduate and join an industry that gives back to the students entering the workforce.

Why did you choose to learn about fluid power?

I chose to learn about fluid power after touring the program. Throughout the tour and my first quarter in the program, I had an epiphany, realizing I’d found a career I could excel at and truly enjoy. Math is my favorite and strongest subject, and problem solving is always satisfying and rewarding, so having the opportunity to do those things for a living has me so eager to watch my future unfold. The prospect of choice in this field coupled with the opportunity for success has been the most enticing part of this program.

What are your career aspirations? What type of fluid power job do you hope to get after you graduate?

I envision myself working full-time in a career that is challenging yet enjoyable. I want to feel accomplished and proud of myself at the end of my work projects. I would love to work with an engineer and assist in designing hydraulic equipment.

The Foundation’s goal is to help individuals enrolled in high schools, technical colleges, and engineering schools pursue their interests in fluid power. For further information about the Fluid Power Scholarship program, contact Amy Zignego, Workforce Program Manager, at azignego@

Rebekah Clark, one of the winners of the NFPA Education and Technology Foundation scholarships. She is studying Hydraulic and Pneumatic Automation Technology at Spokane Community College.

See who’s exhibiting at IFPE 2020

IFPE 2020 | March 10-14, 2020 | Las Vegas Convention Center | Las Vegas, Nevada

IFPE 2020 is set to provide exhibitors and attendees alike countless opportunities to learn about what’s new and what’s coming soon in fluid power technology.

The floor plan is already filled to the brim with more than 400 industry-leading companies ready to showcase their latest and most efficient fluid power solutions, plus more companies are on the wait list hoping to pick up a spot at the show. Industrial hydraulic, mobile hydraulic, and pneumatic solutions will all be represented.

There will also be more than 170 education sessions available at the show plus two innovative education tracks specific to fluid power: Hydraulics and Pneumatics at Work and The Business of Fluid Power.

Whether coming to the show to staff one of the 400-plus booths or as a show attendee, early bird registration ends January 17, 2020. Visit IFPE.com to learn more and plan your time at the show.

NFPA Launches Power Partner program

NFPA has launched its new Power Partner program, an annual recognition program designed to showcase a university that actively participates in all NFPA fluid power educational programs. With the help of NFPA members, resources for university faculty have been developed to support fluid power education growth at their institutions.

The major objective for this program is to increase the amount of fluid power being taught in university mechanical engineering degree programs and to enhance faculty to industry connections. The program will also help support, recognize and promote its educator partners to the NFPA membership.

To be considered as a Power Partner, the university must:

• Participate in the Speaker’s Bureau program • Participate in the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge • Have a Fluid Power Club • Host a “Meet the Students” industry connection event • Teach the nine core fluid power competencies

With this recognition, NFPA will:

• Promote the university’s fluid power programs and initiatives to all 330-plus NFPA members through the website and featured articles within the NFPA web community • Help connect its members to the university’s “Meet the Students” event where students learn about careers in fluid power and meet face-to-face with industry executives and HR professionals • Provide complimentary registrations for two university faculty members to attend both the NFPA Annual Meeting and the IEOC

All of these programs come with either financial, educational or staff support from NFPA.

NFPA | nfpa.com