The Natural Refrigeration Foundation has raised more than $73,000 at its annual golf tournament. The foundation promotes the climate-positive, safe, reliable, and efficient use of natural refrigerants through research and scholarships to develop industry talent, academic alliances, and outreach.

“Although there are other research projects in the works for the refrigeration industry, the scholarship program hits a nerve with many members out there,” said Dennis Anderholm, ARF golf chairman. The foundation awarded six scholarships this year. “Anytime we have an opportunity to help a student financially to get his or her degree, and they subsequently come on board in the industry, we are all a winner,” Anderholm said.

New juniors receiving scholarships this year include Nicholas Keifer at Virginia Tech, Katelyn Rapp at Montana Technological University, Leah Rietz at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Cole Trautman at Cal Poly-SLO. New seniors receiving scholarships include Lily Chen at MIT and Erin Moss at Cal Poly-SLO.

Returning scholarship recipients Caden Matson (University of Florida) and Jordyn Vanevenhoven (University of Wisconsin-Platteville) attended the IIAR Conference in Long Beach and shares their experiences with the new group of awardees.

Past scholars are now employed at leading refrigeration companies, including Clauger, Bassett Mechanical, Wagner-Meinert, Mayekawa, General Refrigeration, and Evapco.