Ivan A. Olson Scholarship Fund
The 2024 application process is now CLOSED.
This fund is under the supervision and control of the North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS). The purpose of the fund is to provide Scholarships for ambitious and worthy individuals who are enrolled in a transportation, logistics or supply chain management program at an accredited university. The scholarships are administered solely by the North American Rail Shippers Association. The scholarship is named in honor of Ivan A. Olson, an eminent transportation professional, a past president of NARS and former Vice President Transportation, Longview Fibre Company, Longview, Washington.
In 2024, the Board of Directors of NARS announced the creation of the Patrick J. Ottensmeyer Memorial Scholarship. This $5,000 award will be given out annual starting in the Spring of 2025 and will be the highest scholarship award within the NARS scholarship program.
Pat Ottensmeyer was a loyal friend and champion of the North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS) and its regional rail shipping associations throughout his railroad career. Pat’s commitment to open dialogue between rail shippers and railroads was well-documented throughout his career and he truly felt that NARS and the regional rail shipping associations were the best place for these important conversations to happen. Pat was a frequent speaker at all of the rail shipping conferences and his warmth, professionalism, mentorship and leadership were appreciated by all.
More details will be forthcoming about this important scholarship.
Details about the 2025 NARS Scholarship cycle will be available in December 2024.
If you have any questions regarding the scholarship including requests for exceptions, please contact North American Rail Shippers Association, via email, nars@railshippers.com.
Scholarship FAQs
Scholarship recipients will be chosen from the pool of completed applications that are submitted to North American Rail Shippers Association before the established deadline. Scholarship recipients will be selected according to merit on a competitive basis. The Scholarship Committee will choose the recipients by evaluating each eligible student’s completed application.
To apply for the scholarship, an application form must be completed and submitted, along with additional biographical and academic information, through the NARS website. All required elements can be submitted through the NARS website, but if applicant needs to send information separately, materials can be sent to nars@railshippers.com.
Scholarship recipients are asked to provide a current headshot and short biography in order to be featured on the NARS website. Recipients may also be featured on other NARS social media and in press releases promoting the scholarship program. Students are also welcome to attend, on a complimentary basis, the NARS Annual Meeting and recipients are announced to our attendees during the meeting program.
The applications must be completed. Applications will not be accepted unless completed in full and submitted by the announced deadline.
North American Rail Shippers Association Scholarships require the following information:
- Academic transcript
- Extracurricular Activities
- Work History
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation from a college/university professor or counselor.
- A completed application
The scholarship stipend is a one-time disbursement of $500 or $1,000. Funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient.
The North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS) handles all phases of the process, including selection of recipients and payment of stipends.
Graduate and undergraduate students who are in good standing at their respective college or university, currently enrolled in a transportation, logistics or supply chain management program and who are Canadian, Mexican or U.S.A. citizens. Rising high school seniors are not eligible.