AISC's inaugural Innovation Scholars were professors Joshua Schultz (Gonzaga
University), PE, PhD, and Ashley Thrall (University of Notre Dame), PhD.

If you’re anything like me, it can be hard not to feel overwhelmed with nostalgia and gratitude this time of year. This November is a particularly special one for the Education Foundation: Amid this season of giving thanks, it’s also exactly one year since we launched the Your Impact newsletter to keep you informed of all we're doing.

And what a year it’s been! As I reflect on our successes in 2024, from helping 107 college students fund their educations through scholarships to launching new programs benefitting university faculty (and much more!), one thing holds true: that we could not have done it without you.

Your impact empowered so many hard-working and inspiring individuals, invigorated new passions for structural steel, and brought people together to learn and share ideas that will shape the future of our industry. Our inaugural Innovation Scholars, professors Ashley Thrall (University of Notre Dame), PhD, and Joshua Schultz (Gonzaga University), PE, PhD, are two glowing examples.

When Ashley and Joshua arrived at AISC’s Chicago headquarters this summer to start their two-week residency, they came with open minds and hopes of finding new research ideas. They returned to their campuses with invaluable new connections and industry exposure—and big ideas for the future of the Innovation Scholar program (stay tuned!). Their energy and insight brought so much to our office, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled to host them.

“The best part was stepping out of my regular research lab and day-to-day activities and having time to engage with people I don’t normally get to interact with,” Ashley said. “It’s really unique for an industry organization like AISC to reach out to faculty and provide such an opportunity. I’m so grateful for the experience, and I hope it’s just the start of my partnership with the steel industry.”

In addition to their multifaceted summer research, our scholars got to visit a local steel fabricator, connect individually with other industry professionals, and set the stage for ongoing and future opportunities for collaboration—which will translate to the classroom and beyond.

“It’s impossible to overstate how valuable this program is for university professors,” Joshua said. “I really strongly believe that its impact is reflected in my research, teaching, and professional development…and then I think about how many people one professor can impact over the course of their career.”

Donors like you are integral to our ability to provide career-transforming—and even life-changing—opportunities for students, educators, and young professionals that can ripple far beyond the individuals you directly support. You keep the Foundation growing and make it possible for visionaries like Ashley and Joshua to engage closely with us and help build the future.

Thank you from all of us at AISC. I wish you a happy holiday season, and I look forward to catching up with you in the new year!

Best,

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