Eric Simmons, a member of our Columbia Southern University (CSU) Student Section (part of the Mobile Chapter), has received the Robert G. Mayes Memorial Scholarship. This alumni scholarship, which was established in memory of the CSU founder, is awarded annually to a student who is pursuing an online master’s degree.

Simmons will use the scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in OSH with a concentration in environmental management.

“Achieving my master’s degree will help me to gain a much greater depth of knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and allow me to better serve others in that capacity,” says Simmons. “I learned a tremendous amount while pursuing my bachelor’s degree, both about the subject matter, and about myself. In pursuing my master’s degree, I hope to continue that journey.”

Simmons, a member of our Emerging Professionals in OSH Common Interest Group and the Construction Practice Specialty, won the Klein Tools Electrician of the Year contest in 2016, but decided to donate the prize of $2,500 a year in Klein tools to his apprenticeship program in Las Vegas. He felt that he couldn’t make use of the prize and his program would benefit from the donation.

“Within [the OSH] community, I have become involved in multiple committees, both local and national, in order to help improve construction safety,” says Simmons. “These activities have allowed me to learn from and share with a diverse group of people all intent on improving the safety on the job site.”