Donors Make the Difference

Thank You for Investing in the Future of Fire Protection

The Center for Life Safety Education (CLSE), an educational affiliate of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), is proud to sponsor two scholarship programs: the Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship and the Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship. These programs honor dedicated industry veterans who made a difference in the fire sprinkler industry by offering scholarships named in their honor to students studying for a fire protection engineering career.

Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship – University of Maryland (UMD)

The DeCamara Scholarship celebrates 32 years of giving in 2016, and has awarded over $115,000 in scholarships. Established by the AFSA Board of Directors in 1984, the program benefits outstanding juniors and seniors majoring in the Fire Protection Engineering curriculum at the University of Maryland in College Park, DeCamara’s alma mater. The program presents two scholarships each year.

AFSA honors DeCamara for his commitment to the fire sprinkler industry and the association. As president of DeCamara Fire Protection Products (DFPP), he became involved during AFSA’s early years. In 1983 he chaired the Budget & Finance Committee and co-chaired the then newly formed Manufacturers & Suppliers (M/S) Council. Later that year, DeCamara passed away of a heart attack, leaving behind his wife Terry and their five children. Terry is still involved with the scholarship committee today, evaluating applicants and presenting scholarship awards.

Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship – Oklahoma State University (OSU)

The AFSA Board of Directors voted to fund a second scholarship in 2005 after industry leader Thomas S. Waller passed away. Waller devoted more than 40 years to the fire protection industry. He served as chairman of the board of Viking Fire Protection of the Southeast in High Point, North Carolina, and also gave much of his time to AFSA. He helped form the AFSA Carolinas Chapter and served on the board of directors of the North and South Carolina state chapters. He also served on the AFSA Board of Directors from 1985-1995 and as national chairman of the board from 1989- 1991. Waller believed in the value of education and was determined in his efforts to provide educational opportunities for young people, both in and outside of the industry. The Waller scholarship is presented to juniors or seniors enrolled in the Fire Protection & Safety Technology program in the College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. To date, the Waller Scholarship has provided over $30,000 to OSU FPST students.

Donation Appreciation

The DeCamara and Waller scholarships fund are supported by voluntary donations from corporate and individual members of the fire protection industry and their friends and associates. AFSA and CLSE thank the individuals and companies listed for their contributions to the 2015 scholarship, as well as the donors who chose to remain anonymous.

Your donations help students attain their educational goals and professional dreams while positively impacting this industry. Supporting either the DeCamara Scholarship Fund, Waller Scholarship Fund or both is greatly appreciated by the winners, their families, and the DeCamara and Waller families. Remember, as CLSE is a 501(c)(3) educational affiliate of AFSA, all contributions made to these scholarship funds are tax deductible.

“I am excited by the fact that I am part of a profession that can help so many people,” says Rosalie Wills, 2012 DeCamara winner. “As a fire protection engineer, I want to provide safety to others and also help them to understand the profession. Being able to work as an FPE is an accomplishment itself. It has provided me with the reward of knowing that I may have helped someone in the future if a disaster were ever to occur in a building that I helped with.”

To make a one-time donation or become a regular donor, visit CLSE online at clse.org and click on “Scholarships” or mail a check to DeCamara Scholarship or Waller Scholarship, c/o CLSE, 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, Texas 75251. For more information or to apply for either scholarship, visit clse.org/scholarships.htm.

Contributors

2015 Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship Fund

2015 Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship Fund

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