The 2025 NASCC: The Steel Conference was one for the books, and if you joined us in Louisville earlier this month, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did (while we weathered that weather!). For the AISC Education Foundation, this was our most successful conference yet, and I want to take a moment to celebrate all we achieved together.

We were thrilled to host a record 16 beneficiaries at this year's conference events, bringing together students, educators, and young professionals through our Student Travel Grants and Steel Conference travel awards. We kept them busy at educational sessions, networking and social events, and guided tours of the exhibit hall--and we got rave reviews in return!

Megan Potter (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), a 2025 travel grant recipient, came into her first Steel Conference with an open mind and was amazed by the learning opportunities and new connections that awaited her at technical sessions and student events.

"This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Potter said. "I hope that I can continue to attend the conference and keep up with the amazing steel industry."

Travel grant recipient Lotam Leinzon (New York University) felt right at home during his time at the conference, sharing that his interactions with everyone from fellow students to seasoned professionals were welcoming, engaging, and collaborative.

"I'm incredibly grateful to have learned from respected industry leaders and to feel more connected to the structural engineering community," Leinzon said. "I would like to extend my sincere thanks to AISC and the Education Foundation for their generous support and for creating an environment that motivates and empowers students like me."

Our 2024 Ernest J. McCartney/B&B Welding Company, Inc. Undergraduate Research Fellowship recipients were also among the 16 beneficiaries in attendance. Emily Lamos (University of Cincinnati), who spent last summer researching the mechanical behavior of high-strength (gr. 80) steel, got to cap off her academic year with a trip to Louisville.

"I had a blast learning and meeting people in the industry," Lamos said. "This was such a great opportunity, and I can't thank the Education Foundation enough for it!"

Every year, the Steel Conference gives us a unique opportunity to provide students, educators, and young professionals with career-shaping industry exposure in so many exciting forms, and we couldn't pull it off without your generous support.

In fact, conference participants paid it forward with a record $57,000+ in contributions from registration donations, AISC Bookstore purchases, and onsite donations! That will directly support beneficiaries and provide life-changing opportunities.

Our matching donors also played a big role, and we'd like to specially thank Delong's Inc.; High Steel Structures; Novel Iron Works, Inc.; Southern New Jersey Steel; and STS Steel for their generosity. All of these contributions will fuel the expansion of our scholarships, grants, and award programs.

Want to read more success stories (and learn more about the people and activities your gifts support)? You can keep up with the Foundation's beneficiaries throughout the year by subscribing to receive Your Impact Update newsletter every two months.

I look forward to updating you again soon!

Sincerely,

Maria Mnookin
Director of Foundation Programs
American Institute of Steel Construction
mnookin@aisc.org