Forging Foundation News July 2026

Summer may be coming to a close, but the Forging Foundation is just getting started. From inspiring the next generation through Forge the Future camps to recognizing outstanding scholarship recipients and preparing for another exciting year of programs, there's plenty happening across our industry.

Featured in this Newsletter:

• Register & Sponsor FIERF Annual Golf Outing

• 2027 Forging Competition Announced

• Forge the Future Summer Camp Recaps

• Meet Our 2026-2027 Scholarship Winners

• Internship Opportunities

6th Annual Forging Foundation Golf Outing

 

August 31, 2026 | Westfield Country Club (South Course)

Join fellow forging industry professionals for a day of golf, networking, and giving back at one of Northeast Ohio's golf courses. Every registration helps support scholarships, educational programming, workforce development initiatives, and student engagement across the forging industry.

What’s Included:

  • 18 holes of golf + cart
  • Lunch & dinner reception
  • Networking with industry peers

Event Schedule:

12:00 PM – Shotgun Start (boxed lunch included)

5:00 PM – Networking & Dinner Reception

Registration Deadline: August 11, 2026

 

Hole Sponsorships Still Available: Deadline is Friday, July 31.

There's still time to showcase your company's commitment to the future of the forging industry. Sponsoring a hole is an excellent way to increase your company's visibility while directly supporting workforce development and educational initiatives.

Thank You Current Sponsors:

The Underys Family

Does Your Team Have What It Takes?

 

The Forging Foundation is excited to announce the 2027 Forging Competition!

Student teams will be challenged to design and forge a functional crate hammer, also known as a box opener—a versatile hand tool historically used by merchants, warehouse workers, and delivery drivers to pry open wooden shipping crates and pallets.

This competition encourages students to combine engineering, design, craftsmanship, and teamwork while showcasing their forging skills.

Competition Date: May 18, 2027
Location: Forge Fair 2027

Learn More About the Competition

The 2026 competition welcomed 22 teams and more than 140 students from schools across North America. This year's challenge featured the forging of a traditional American Felling Axe.

Watch highlights from the 2026 Forging Competition below!

Forge the Future Summer Camps: Another Successful Summer!

 

Our 2026 Forge the Future Summer Camps have officially wrapped up, and what an incredible summer it was!

This year, students explored careers in manufacturing and forging through hands-on learning experiences in six states:

  • California
  • Illinois
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin

Students had the opportunity to discover modern manufacturing, meet industry professionals, and experience the exciting possibilities a career in forging can offer.

A special thank you to our member companies, volunteers, educators, and industry partners who made these camps possible. Your time, expertise, and enthusiasm continue to inspire the next generation of forging professionals.

Congratulations to Our 2026-2027 FIERF Scholarship Recipients

 

The Forging Foundation is proud to recognize this year's scholarship recipients. These outstanding students represent the future of our industry, and we look forward to seeing all they accomplish!

Edward F. Wozniak Memorial Scholarship
Alex Jacobsen, Iowa State University
Brianna Hensley, Purdue University
Lance Kiesewetter, University of Alabama
Kieran McCue, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
 
Charles W. Finkl Scholarship
Ramon Curry, Cuyahoga Community College
 
Forging Industry Women's Scholarship  
Jessica Boeke , Columbia College-MO
Margo Levenson, University of Pittsburgh
Tori Edsall, University of North Texas
Makenzie Womack, University of Michigan
Trinity Blum, Cleveland State University
Keira Boone, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
 
Al Underys Memorial Scholarship
Jonathan Cowan, Ferris State University
Howard Olson, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Keegan Coyle, Purdue University
Erin Meyer, Michigan Technological University
Alex Koelewyn, Colorado School of Mines

 

Congratulations to all of our recipients! We are proud to support your educational journey and future careers in the forging industry.

Internship Opportunities

 

Looking to connect with the next generation of talent?

The Forging Foundation is looking to start an internship program to help employers connect with students pursuing careers in engineering, manufacturing, metallurgy, supply chain, and related fields.

Whether you're seeking interns or looking for internship opportunities, we're here to help build meaningful industry connections.

Stay Connected. Get Involved. Forge the Future.

 

Every scholarship awarded, every student inspired, and every event hosted is made possible through the support of companies and individuals like you.

Whether you:

  • Attend an event
  • Sponsor a program
  • Volunteer your time
  • Offer internships
  • Support scholarships

YOU are helping strengthen the future of the forging industry.

Interested in partnering with the Forging Foundation or engaging students through our programs?

Contact Amanda Dureiko at [email protected].