Simpson Strong-Tie, a company in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, hosted more than 30 college students awarded with a Simpson Strong-Tie Student Scholarship for the 2018–2019 academic year.

Scholarship recipients from throughout the country toured the company’s manufacturing facility and training center in Stockton, California, on Thursday, July 19. They also observed product testing at the Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory, one of the largest private labs of its kind in the US. product demos of the company’s concrete and fastener divisions, along with a visit to an active jobsite using Simpson Strong-Tie products, were also part of the group’s first day.

The group traveled to the Simpson Strong-Tie home office in Pleasanton, California, for their second day, where they heard from a local architect and a structural engineer about the importance of building professional relationships in the industry. They then got their hands dirty with a mini-house build, a project calling on them to follow plans closely and collaborate with one another to complete the build. Closing out the day, the students met with several of the company’s senior leaders, including CEO Karen Colonias and CFO Brian Magstadt.

Civil engineering major Evan Batton of the University of Texas commented, “The panel discussion was very enjoyable, it gave insight that the average student does not get to hear. Hearing the stories of the leaders of the company was invaluable in helping us on our path.” 

The Simpson Strong-Tie Student Scholarship Program supports education and encourages the design and building of safer structures in our communities by assisting architecture, structural engineering and construction management students in meeting their education costs. Up to 68 scholarships of $2,000 per recipient are awarded every academic year to students at 76 participating schools.