July/August 2024 - 77

RUDOLPH P. FRIZZI, P.E., G.E., BC.GE, CHAIR
A Message From the Chair
Fo r n e a r l y 1 8
years , the DFI
Educational Trust has been missionfocused
on supporting and encouraging
individuals in the fields of
studies related to the deep foundations
industry by providing scholarships,
grants, and opportunities to meet and
work with industry leaders. We are
thankful to all Donors who have
helped build the Trust into a strong,
stable, and impactful organization,
with assets exceeding $4.6 million.
The Trust boldly invested in the future
by awarding over $240,000 in scholarships
and grants in 2023. Since
inception, the Trust has awarded $2.2
million in scholarships and grants to
more than 550 recipients at nearly 100
educational institutions. What a fantastic
effort! The high rate at which
scholarship applicants and awardees
enter, stay, and advance in the industry
speaks volumes to the Trust's
positive impact.
This would not be possible without
generous donations totaling over
$138,000 in 2023. Most notably, Byrl and
Frances Williams established a fund to
support students at Gonzaga University
in attending DFI events and for related
research and student projects. Thank
you to all our Donors, and the tireless
continues. Collaborative initiatives at
DFI include a University Ambassador
program to develop consistent student
outreach and interaction with a pilot
program pairing 14 active DFI leaders
with U.S. colleges and universities. DFI,
with the Trust, has also launched a
Student Engagement Committee to
raise awareness of career opportunities
in our industry and provide DFI
members the opportunity to interact
with prospective employees at school
and DFI events.
Your continued financial support is
Download the 2023 DFI Educational Trust Annual
Report at https://www.trust.dfi.org/
efforts of those supporting the Trust with
their time and talent. We fell short of our
2023 fundraising goal but are confident
we will exceed this amount in 2024. If
every individual DFI member made an
annual $75 charitable contribution starting
in 2024, the Trust could maintain
and, in the future, exceed the amount
and number of scholarships and grants
awarded each year.
The Trust's work to attract the
highest quality students to the industry
and DFI corporate member companies
needed. Please consider making an
individual or corporate donation or
creating a lasting legacy by funding a
scholarship in honor of a company or
industry leader. Other ways to support
the Trust include attending or sponsoring
fundraisers such as the Annual
Gala, golf outings, the annual 5K Fun
Run/Walk, and Women in Deep Foundations
Committee events; supporting
student programs; and being actively
involved in DFI throughout the year.
Thank you for your continued
support - of the Trust, the students,
and the future of the industry.
Sincerely,
DFI Educational Trust
Rudolph P. Frizzi
Chair, Board of Trustees
EDUCATIONAL TRUST
DEEP FOUNDATIONS * JULY/AUG 2024 * 77
https://www.trust.dfi.org/
July/August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July/August 2024
