Underground Short Course Award Winners
2023 High Score Winners
Basic Section
Chris Hoffman, Centerpoint
Intermediate Section
Justin Stewart, NiSource
Advanced Section
Jason Smith, Ameren
Rectifier
Daniel Berry, NiSource
Our 2023 Award Winners
John Fitzgerald Awards
The Fitzgerald Award is the highest honor a Underground Corrosion Short Course student can receive. It has been awarded to a deserving student since 2004. This award is not given out every year, as some years no student is able to meet the criteria.
John Fitzgerald III, the award’s namesake, was a 1955 graduate of Yale University, professional engineer, NACE Corrosion Specialist, and was involved with corrosion work since 1959. John was a Air Force Veteran, NACE International Fellow, authored over 75 technical papers, and served as NACE International president from 1990 to 1991.
John passed away in 2018. At the short course he was a teacher, chairman, advisor, mentor, and for those of us lucky enough to have known him, he was a friend. His imprint on this course, this industry, and his colleagues, is nothing short of extraordinary. He is profoundly missed.
Our Past Fitzgerald Winners
2004 - Jeff Brown
2005 - Robert Saunders
2008 - Mark Wozniak
2009 - Matthew James
2010 - Charles Rayot
2011 - Ryan Swor
2012 - Stephen Johnson
2013 - Tim Cox
2014 - Luke Harris
2015 - Tony Losito
2016 - Ben Showalter
2017 - Sharon Ryman
2018 - Patrick Elpers
2019 - Dan Berry
2020 - Adam Enyart
2021 - Mike Palmer
2022 – Mike Hildebrand
2023 - Jason Smith
James Pierce Awards
The Pierce Award is an honor presented to a committee member or an individual that contributes to and adds value to the Purdue Underground Corrosion Short Course. 2013 was its inaugural year.
Jay Pierce began with the Purdue Underground Corrosion Short Course in 1980. He chaired the Power and Communications Section from 1985 and served 7 years as General Chairman. Jay is currently an advisor and liaison to the University.