Scholarship Information

The John Mabry and Paul Webster Forestry Scholarships for 2021-2022

This year, and going forward, thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous RTA supporter, we are pleased to offer two $5,000 scholarships honoring two men who worked to make RTA what it is today.  

Congratulations to our winners!

The First Ever Paul Webster Forestry Scholarship: Elizabeth Kowalis, University of Idaho

The upgraded John Mabry Forestry Scholarship: Ray Madden University of Kentucky

Application

Description

The Railway Tie Association, a railroad supply organization, has a vested interest in the continued improvements of all railroad-related products. Meeting the challenge of the railroad industry in the decades ahead will require high-quality products and the foresight, determination, and technical expertise of supplier management. To help meet these needs, the RTA wishes to assist future industry leaders. We are pleased to again offer two scholarships of $5,000.00 each for the 2022-23 academic year.
Each application will be reviewed with emphasis placed on the following criteria:

Scholastic achievement- 60%
Leadership qualities- 30%
Career objectives- 25%
Financial need- 10%

The Education Committee may also award or deduct points for your written narrative depending on the quality of your writing, how clearly you state your career objectives, leadership, academics, and financial need, as well as how familiar you are with the wood crosstie industry.

Four-Year Colleges and Universities
One or both of these scholarships are open to college Juniors and Seniors of four-year institutions (not graduating before the end of the school year) who will be enrolled in accredited Forestry programs.

Two-Year Colleges
One of these scholarships is open to second-year students in a two-year institution (not graduating before the end of the school year) who will be enrolled in accredited Forestry programs.

Application Deadline - June 30, 2022

The Education Committee of the Railway Tie Association will review completed applications from eligible candidates. Applications are considered at the RTA's discretion on total merit and RTA reserves the right to reject any and all applications. RTA's decision is final.

RTA will notify each of the two annual $5,000 scholarship winners by phone or email no later than August 10, 2022. If you have any questions or need additional information, please look over the letters and announcements below or feel free to call or email us.

Each of the recipients will receive 2 payments at the time of the student's registration- $2,500 for the fall semester and $2,500 for the spring semester. For schools on quarter or trimester systems, an appropriate adjustment will be made in the terms of payment.

John Mabry Scholarship Application
Interactive PDF 

Application Deadline - June 30, 2022

Click Here for the Crossties magazine article about 2020 winners Carson Ramsay and Christopher Sabol

Click Here for the Crossties magazine article about 2019 winners Travis Schmitt and Conner Killian

Click Here for the Crossties magazine article about 2018 winners Daniel Eaton and Savolia Spottswood