Lansdowne, VA // June 24, 2024 — Brainerd Chemical Company is thrilled to champion STEM education as a proud sponsor of the first-ever Swings for STEM golf tournament. Today’s event hosted by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD supports of the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI).
Lucinda Shofer, Chief Operating Officer of the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) commented, “Special thanks from the ACD team to our members, Brainerd Chemical Co., Inc., Brenntag and Catalynt™ (formerly TRInternational) for supporting this event. Your generosity will fund several scholarships for Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) scholars. Looking forward to next year!”
Brian Miller, President of Brainerd Chemical, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Supporting students in their pursuit of STEM education is a cause close to our hearts. These future innovators will drive us towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking world. We’re eager to see the remarkable contributions they will make.”
The tournament saw nearly 100 participants, including professionals from the chemical industry, affiliated associations, Congressional staff, and representatives from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). The event was a hub for meaningful discussions about the importance of STEM and its critical role in the future of the chemical industry and our nation. Eric R. Byer, President & CEO of ACD, remarked, “This week’s event represents an important step in investing in the future of our workforce so that we can continue to demonstrate the value of our industry among students nationwide.”
In today’s competitive global economy, fostering growth and creating opportunities for diverse, young talent is more crucial than ever. FOSSI is dedicated to bridging the STEM workforce gap in the chemical industry by supporting scholars who would otherwise not have access to a STEM education by eliminating financial barriers. Thanks to the generous support Brainerd Chemical Company and over 20 sponsoring organizations, the event successfully raised $75,000 for this powerfully impactful scholarship initiative.
About the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI)
Launched in 2020 by the American Chemistry Council, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), The Chemours Company, and the HBCU Week Foundation, FOSSI is a national initiative that offers scholarships to students pursuing degrees in STEM at HBCUs. With funding from over 70 chemical industry stakeholders, the program has supported more than 600 scholars through 2025 with scholarship recipients representing 30+ states, with students attending 42 HBCUs.
Since its inception, thousands of high school students across the nation have applied for FOSSI scholarships, demonstrating both the urgent need for this program and the enormous pool of untapped talent.
FOSSI will welcome 150 new scholars in the fall of 2025 providing program recipients with a four year scholarship as well as leadership development, mentoring, and internship opportunities. For more information, visit futureofstemscholars.org
About Brainerd Chemical Company
Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the largest independent suppliers of chemicals and related services in the continental United States. They specialize in manufacturing, blending, packaging, and distributing chemical products across a diverse range of industrial sectors.
Media Inquiries:
Brainerd Chemical Company: 1+ (918) 622-1214
SOURCE: Brainerd Chemical Company, The American Chemistry Council, The Alliance for Chemical Distributors and the Future of Stem Scholars Initiative (FOSSI).