Applications Open for the 2025 SPE Mold Technologies Div. Grant and the Joseph Prischak Student Scholarship

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Mold Technologies Division has opened the application process for its 2025 Educational Grants and a Student Scholarship in honor of the legacy of the late Joseph (Joe) Prischak, a visionary in the moldmaking industry and founder of MoldMaking Technology magazine. The $3,000 scholarship will support undergraduate students pursuing careers in plastics manufacturing engineering or other STEM-related fields, reflecting Joe’s lifelong passion for education and innovation.

This scholarship supports the SPE Mold Technologies Division’s broader efforts to empower the next generation of engineers and moldmakers. In 2024, SPE awarded $262,250 in scholarships to 75 students studying plastics engineering, polymer science and mechanical engineering.

The SPE Mold Technologies Division is limited to $8,000 in scholarships and grants. In addition, the SPE Mold Technologies Division offers a $5,000 educational grant supporting specialized projects in training centers, community colleges and universities focused on plastics manufacturing, tooling and design.

“The Chapter tries to recognize all the industry pioneers and leaders, especially for those individuals that have made major contributions to their communities, their organizations, their employees and their families,” says Division Education Chair Joe Karpinski.

Honoring Joe Prischak’s Life and Work

Joseph Prischak’s remarkable career began in 1949, when he started working in plastics manufacturing for just 25 cents an hour. Over the decades, he rose through the ranks, eventually founding Plastek Industries in 1971, which grew into a global enterprise employing over 2,000 people. Joe’s contributions to the industry extended well beyond business. He played a pivotal role in establishing the world’s largest undergraduate plastics engineering program at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, to which he and his wife Isabel donated $2 million for scholarships in 2011. His influence on the moldmaking industry was further amplified by founding MoldMaking Technology magazine in 1998, which has become a crucial platform for moldmakers to share knowledge and collaborate.

In addition to his industry achievements, Joe’s legacy extends to his humanitarian work. His ultimate passion project, Africa 6000 International, a nonprofit organization he founded after a life-changing trip to Africa, is dedicated to drilling wells and installing water systems across eastern Africa. This mission of giving back and providing critical resources aligns with Joe’s belief in helping others, a value that is also central to his legacy in the moldmaking industry.

Joe’s sons, Dennis, Daniel, Douglas and Donald, who have managed the company since Joe retired in 2002 share what this honor means to the entire Prischak family, “This scholarship reflects everything our father believed in—education, opportunity and helping others succeed. It’s an incredible honor for our family, especially our mother Isabel, to see his legacy continue in this way.”

Apply for the 2025 Scholarship and Grant

The Joseph Prischak scholarship in the amount of $3,000 is open to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in plastics manufacturing engineering or other STEM-related disciplines. Applicants must submit a completed application, including academic references and a transcript, by May 31, 2025. The award will be applied to the Fall 2025 academic term.

In addition to the scholarship, the SPE Mold Technologies Division is offering

a Grant in the amount of $5,000 for special programs or projects at training centers, community colleges or universities focused on plastics manufacturing, tooling or design.

Application forms for both the scholarship and the grant can be requested from Education Chair Joe Karpinski at JPKarpinski23@gmail.com, with all submissions due by May 31, 2025.

About the SPE Mold Technologies Division: The Mold Technologies Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers is dedicated to advancing the science, technology, and engineering of mold design, manufacturing, and use. Through scholarships, educational grants, and industry events, the Division supports the next generation of professionals in the mold making and plastics industries, fostering growth, innovation, and community within the field.

For additional information, please contact Scott Peters, Chair, SPE Mold Technologies Division at scott.peters@moldedmarketing.com