2017 Shibley Award Presentations

The Shibley Awards competition has been held since 1939 in honor of Kenneth "Cap" Shibley, a prominent chemical engineer in the Pacific Northwest. Shibley believed that it was the duty and responsibility of leaders in the industry to encourage, train, and provide opportunities for young people to plan, execute, and share their technical findings with colleagues. This year’s competitors were all college students who had recently completed mill internships.

 

Janssen Levin (photo on right and first on left in photo below), OSU 17’, took First Prize for his presentation of the economic impacts due to "rough" handling of wood chip inventory in the Georgia-Pacific, Toledo, Ore., mill’s woodyard and the benefit and financial impact should the mill replace the existing system with a world class chip handling system. Lucas Shumaker (second from left in photo below) OSU 18’, shared results of a study on fiber loss attributed to a Combisorter rejects screen system at Georgia-Pacific, Toledo, Ore.  Nate Parcel (third from left in photo below), UW 18’, took Second Prize for his study completed at Kapstone, Longview, Wash., detailing a process water fiber loss mass balance project, while Kailee Wood (fourth from left in photo below), UW 18’, was awarded Third Prize for her work optimizing the chemistry applied to the Inland Empire, Spokane, Wash., mill water clarification system. Cody Shultz (fifth from left in photo below), UW 17’, presented work he completed at Ponderay Newsprint, Usk, Wash., detailing the benefits of enzymatic fibrillation to improve paper quality and production.  All presenters demonstrated outstanding process knowledge and a willingness to get their hands dirty working with wood chips, OCC rejects, sludge, and process water sewer discharge.  Judges had a difficult time determining this year’s award winners as all presentations were technically sound and delivered with poise and professionalism. 

 

In addition to cash prizes of $500, $300, and $100 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively, all presenters were awarded one-year National TAPPI memberships.  Additionally, Janssen accepted the Shibley Trophy, a replica of a totem pole presented by Pacific Section TAPPI to National TAPPI in 1990 to commemorate their 75th anniversary. The trophy will be on display at the OSU Chemical Engineering offices until May 24, 2018, when it will be "up for grabs" again at the 2018 Shibley Awards.    

 

The format for this year’s event, utilizing joint resources from Pacific Section TAPPI, the Washington Pulp and Paper Foundation, and the University of Washington, was a HUGE success. Plans are underway to again hold the 2018 Shibley at The University of Washington where we will all join to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Washington Pulp and Paper Foundation and all that it has done to benefit this outstanding industry.