CII Connie Event Awards Scholarships

The Containerization & Intermodal Institute, which for nearly 50 years has provided education in the international trade and transportation industry, awarded 10 scholarships to students committed to making a career in the field. The awards were made during the annual Connie Awards luncheon that honored James E. Butcher, Chairman of Höegh Autoliners, and Evergreen Vice Group Chairman, Captain S.Y. Kuo. The event was held at The Newark Club.

Steven Blust, former chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission, heads the scholarship program. Co-Chairman is Captain Jon Helmick, USMS, from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

The CII Richard A. Simpson Scholarship, named for the person who commenced the CII program in 1992, was awarded to Midshipman Marie Ebers, a student at Kings Point. The Thomas B. Crowley Sr. Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Kings Point students. This year the recipients were Midshipman John Buehler, Midshipman Patrick Delargy, Midshipman Andrea Morrison and Midshipman Kyle O'Connor. The scholarships are funded by Crowley Maritime Corporation.

The New York Container Terminal Scholarship was given to a student at the State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, NY. Cadet Dara Kovarsky received this year's award, presented by James Devine, president of NYCT, which is situated in Staten Island, NY.

The BSYA, Inc., scholarship commenced in 2008 and awards a student selected by professors from Rutgers University Supply Chain Management Program. It's funded by BSYA, Inc. and its partners, Barbara Yeninas, who is executive director of CII, and Gordon Forsyth IV. This year's recipient was Graig Van Lenten.

Eight Evergreen Line agents in Central and South America who wanted to honor Captain Kuo, the Connie recipient, funded four additional scholarships. The students who received these scholarships were Kristen Condrat, Jeanette Olson, Swati Pithwa and Li Yin. Dominic Obrigkeit, a member of the CII Board of Director, and Barbara Yeninas, made the presentation. The agents donating these awards are Maritima Heinlein S.A., from Argentina; Agencia de Vapores Grieg S.A, from Brazil; ILG Logistics S.A., from Costa Rica; Green Andes Chile S.A., from Chile; Lannaman and Morris (Shipping) LTD, from Jamaica; Consignataria Oceanica, S.A. DE C.V., from Mexico; Greenandes Peru SAC, from Peru; and Total Marine Corporation C.A., from Venezuela.

(www.containerization.org)