Five students have received Railway & Locomotive Historical Society scholarships for 2023, the organization has announced. The awards to graduate and undergraduate students are each worth $3,000.
This year’s recipients are:
— Harun Celik of Ames, Iowa (Edward Myers Scholarship), an international student pursuing a Ph.D.in history at Iowa State University. He is writing a dissertation that focuses on the dynamic interplay between railroad development and the expansion of American cities. Employing digital and geospatial technologies, his research aims to complement or question existing studies regarding the influence of railroads on urbanization.
— Carter Heimer of River Falls, Wis. (Bruce Ward Scholarship), attending the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where he seeks a bachelor’s degree in transportation and logistics. While there, he has worked as an intern at the North Shore Scenic Railroad, where he is training to be a certified conductor. He would like to use this experience as a foundation to enter the railroad industry in a position such as logistics supervisor.
— William “Liam” Hoffman of Appleton, Wis. (George Hilton Scholarship), seeking a bachelor’s degree in transportation and logistics from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. There he serves as treasurer for the Logistics Club, and will be an intern at the North Shore Scenic Railroad. He has an interest in modeling railroads, and is a volunteer at the National Railroad Museum, where he has worked on engine restoration and signal restoration. He is also the author of an article, “CN’s Fox Valley Finale,” which was published in the May 2022 issue of Railfan & Railroad magazine.
— Paige Malott of Seattle (Bruce Ward Scholarship), studying for a Master of Science degree in transportation management, high speed rail management, at San Jose State University. Her previous education and work experience includes developing strategic communications for rail transportation issues. She founded Cascadia Rail, a high-speed-rail advocacy group, and served as chair for four years. She has published research papers on high speed rail. She recently presented at conferences in Morocco, Spain, and Washington, D.C. Her current focus is on intercity rail-station planning, in particular those stations located at airports.
— Rydell Walthall of Austin, Texas (George Hilton Scholarship), working toward a Ph.D. in transportation engineering from the University of Texas, with previous degrees from the same institution. His interest in railroad research goes back about 10 years to his undergraduate studies, and his current area of research in freight railroad electrification.
The scholarships are named for and were endowed by: George W. Hilton, an economics professor at UCLA, an accomplished historian, and an author, as well as a longtime member of R&LHS, who died in 2014 at age 89; Bruce R. Ward (1934-2010), a California engineer who worked for Lockheed Corp., and was a live-steam model railroad enthusiast, steam historian, and photographer; and Edward T. Myers of Matteson, Ill., a member of the R&LHS for more than 35 years, editor of the trade journal Modern Railroads for 25 years when he retired in 1980; he died in 2003 at age 89.
The deadline to apply for 2024 scholarships is March 31, 2024. Details can be found on the R&LHS website.
interesting that none were awarded east of the Mississippi River
A big and sincere bravo to the successful students who won the scholarship!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
A big and sincere bravo also to the R&LHS for organizing this supporting program!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
Yes congrats to the recipients and thanks to the R&LHS for this program and its membership for supporting the scholarships
Congratulations to the recipients and thanks to R&LHS for managing the program. Many interesting paths of study by the students.