VMA Awards William "Bill" Sandler Scholarship to Three Students

From left: Kerri Piper, Lucas Dalla Costa and Kasey Piper.

The Valve Manufacturers Association of America (VMA) awarded its 2021 William Sandler Scholarship award to three students: Kerri Piper of Dublin, PA, Lucas Dalla Costa of Munster, IN, and Kasey Piper of Dublin, PA.

Now entering its third year, the VMA William “Bill” Sandler Scholarship Program was established to provide educational opportunities to the children of VMA and VRC member company employees. Sandler was with the VMA for 42 years, the longest-serving employee in VMA history. He rose to become VMA’s president, leading and guiding the association through the ever-changing industry.

Sandler’s unwavering commitment to his family, fellow employees and all association members was unparalleled. His knowledge, passion and persistence set the stage for his vision for the VMA to become a reality. VMA endows scholarships in Sandler’s name for college and trade school students in the field of Engineering and Manufacturing.

The program provides financial assistance to help offset the rising cost of postsecondary education—both in technical schools and four-year universities and colleges—and promote career pursuit in areas of importance for the valve manufacturing industry.

Kerri Piper is attending Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, where she plans to receive a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. Kerri’s father is employed by Harold Beck & Sons Inc.

Lucas Dalla Costa is a freshman at Purdue University Northwest, located in Hammond, IN, where he is pursuing a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering. His father Mark Dalla Costa works at Val-Matic. 

Kasey Piper is attending Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, where she plans to gain a B.S. degree in chemical engineering. Piper’s father works at Harold Beck & Sons Inc.

The 2022 William Sandler Scholarship program is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2022.

For more information on the program and to apply for the 2022 scholarship, click here or contact VMA vice president Marc Pasternak at mpasternak@vma.org.