Scott Jochum
director of Student and Industry Relations, 308.865.8693
University of Nebraska at Kearney student Rustin Dring of Kearney has been awarded the $10,000 Gary L. Buffington Memorial Scholarship from the Industrial Supply Association (ISA).
The national award was presented during the ISA Product Show and Conference in Rosemont, Ill., earlier this week.
“Rustin has many qualities which set him apart,” said Scott Jochum, UNK Industrial Distribution assistant professor and the UNK Industrial Distribution Organization sponsor. “He exemplifies all of the criteria for this prestigious award– including high educational performance, leadership and community service.”
Dring is the president of the UNK Industrial Distribution Organization (IDO), and is a three-year starting running back and captain for the UNK football team. He has received all conference and all region academic status, first team all conference and all regional athletic status and was named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
“Rustin has an engaging personality that enables him to break down barriers and develop a dialog with individuals from all corners of our campus,” said Darrell Morris, UNK head football coach. “Rustin is a prime example of the mission statement of small college athletics, ‘developing better students through the experience of intercollegiate athletics.’”
“Working daily with Rustin as the IDO sponsor, I have witnessed firsthand his motivation and commitment to the student organization, and the many hours he dedicates to the organization’s success,” Jochum said.
Dring has been an IDO member since his freshman year, has been named IDO Recruiter of the Year two years in a row and was named one of three Outstanding Juniors in the Industrial Distribution Program
He is also a member of Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society, and Epsilon Pi Tau, an honor society for the College of Business and Technology. Dring also actively participates in the Kearney community by volunteering in the Friends Program, coaching little league football and as a member of Loper Mates, a mentoring program for Kearney youth.
This summer, Dring is completing an internship with Eaton Corporation in the electrical sector.
To qualify for this scholarship, students must be enrolled in an industrial distribution program, have an anticipated graduation date of spring or summer 2012, a minimum grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale and be nominated by the department head or chair
Applicants must provide an official university transcript, a current photograph, a paragraph stating the student’s professional goals and aspirations within the field, a paragraph about themselves, complete an essay form and provide two letters of recommendation.
Students are also evaluated on personal characteristics such as integrity, motivation, responsibility, ability to overcome adversity, dedication to industrial distribution and problem solving capabilities; relationships with peers and others, including overall leadership, team building capability and contributions to others; non-work related extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, community projects and other activities; work experience such as internships, summer employment or work during school; and communication skills.
The selection committee then conducts personal interviews with the nominees to determine the final selection.
The Gary L. Buffington Memorial Scholarship was created in 2003 as a memorial to former I.D.A Executive Vice President Gary Buffington. Each year, the ISA Educational Foundation selection committee gives the scholarship to a rising senior in a qualified undergraduate industrial distribution program.
