Underground Short Course Award Winners
2024 High Score Winners
Basic Section
Shaun Ortiz, Buckeye
Practical Applications
Chris Krin, IURC
Advanced Section
John Nnyanzi, Comed
Intermediate Section
Bryan Tracy, Ameren
Rectifier
Bryan Tracy, Ameren
Our 2024 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
2024 - Bryan Tracy
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.
Our Past Pierce Winners
2013 - Phil Zach
2014 - Bob Speck
2015 - Greg Alexander
2016 - Mike Placzek
2017 - Jim Utley
2018 - Ned Gisel
2019 - Michael Mertes
2020 - Ray Bingman
2021 - Gary Walker
2022 - Frank Rampton
2025 - Josh Brewer
Indiana Corrosion Society Scholarship
In 2025, we debuted the 1st annual Indiana Corrosion Society Scholarship. This scholarship awards $2,500 to students pursuing careers in technical fields, either with plans to work in corrosion or those with family in the corrosion industry.
Our goal in offering this scholarship is to inspire students to engage in the corrosion industry, with the hope that it leads to a future career in corrosion, coatings, or integrity.