CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Engineers Foundation (CEF) announces that the Primera Foundation (Primera) has made a four-year commitment, $20,000 in total, to the Chicago Engineers Foundation Award Program. CEF has awarded over $500,000 awards to aspiring engineering students in the past five years.

“We’re happy to support the Chicago Engineers Foundation and become actively involved with the student award program,” said Erin Inman, President of the newly established organization. “The Primera Foundation exists to promote STEM education and engineering career opportunities in our communities, making this an ideal match. We want to build a stronger future for prospective engineers and the overall industry.”

CEF offers aspiring engineering students who are enrolled in an accredited four-year university a one-year award scholarship for $1,000 to $1,400 per year with about 100 scholarship awards each year. High school graduates and enrolled engineering students are eligible for up to four years of award scholarships by meeting specific criteria and award parameters and submitting their award submittal information.

“Primera’s corporate sponsorship fits well into our five-year strategic plan and will keep the CEF Award Program thriving,” said CEF President Erik Cempel, PE and former CEF Award recipient (1996). “CEF’s focus is on three key areas: community outreach, incentive awards and career development. We extend our sincerest gratitude to the Primera Foundation for their generous support of the CEF Award Program.”

“This is an incredible opportunity to build Chicago’s engineering community,” said Paul Barter, PE, CEF Sponsorships and with WMA, a Salas O’Brien Company. “Our goal is to reach $500,000 for awards by 2023. This goal is integral to increasing the number of students awarded each year and the monetary amount of the annual awards to aspiring engineering students in the future. Every gift counts.”