AARS scholarships for MSU Railway Management Program

Two American Association of Railroad Superintendents-sponsored scholarships are available for Class III railroad employees interested in attending the Michigan State University Certificate Course in Railway Management.

Robert Grossman and Maggie Silver, on behalf of the Cooperstown Conference, have established these scholarships in memory of the late Walter G. Rich, who was President and CEO of Delaware Otsego Corp. Each scholarship is for $7,500 and will be applied to the $15,000 fee of the four-week course, which begins in April. (The fee covers 20 nights lodging, all breakfasts and lunches, and two dinners each week. It does not include transportation to and from class locations and three dinners each week. Those costs and the balance of the fee will be borne either by the railroad or the employee.)

The AARS Scholarship Committee will manage the application and initial selection process. Applicants are directed to visit the website of the American Association of Railroad Superintendents at www.supt.org, click on the hyperlink entitled “MSU Railway/Walter Rich Scholarship,” and complete the application. Applications must be submitted by March 2, 2009. Questions should be directed to Bill Wick at the Railway Management Program via email at [email protected].

The Certificate Course in Railway Management is a comprehensive course examining all aspects of the rail industry from a management perspective. The course is ideal for employees who want to grow professionally and accept more responsibilities at their railroad. April 5-10 is devoted to the fundamentals of railroading. May 10-15 covers customer service, sales and marketing, and the financial aspects of rail operations. June 7-12 is spent at the Transportation Technology Center, learning how to manage operating functions. July 12-17 focuses on leadership and management. More information is available at www.raileducation.com.