In 2001, Rhodia Inc. announced a new scholarship for future Montana Tech students, The Rhodia Inc. Engineering for Environmental Protection Scholarship. The scholarship was established for students who share Rhodia’s commitment to the environment and who are pursuing a degree in engineering.
This year, two $2,000 scholarships were awarded to a graduating senior from Butte High and Butte Central, who have been accepted into an engineering degree program at Montana Tech. Priority for the scholarship is given to full-time Environmental Engineering degree-seeking students. To apply, students completed an application form and provided an essay about, "What role should engineers play in protecting and improving the environment."
“We’re proud to support education and the young people of Butte. This scholarship program enables us to do both, while working with an outstanding institution like Montana Tech,” said Dan Bersanti, Rhodia’s site manager. “This year’s winners are Jonathan Russell Allen from Butte High School and Richard Northey Tretheway from Butte Central. Both are outstanding students who will do well at Montana Tech.”
Students with an interest in learning more about this scholarship opportunity should contact their school counselor or write to the following address to request more information on eligibility requirements and an application form:
Dan Bersanti
P.O. Box 3146
Butte, MT 59701
Rhodia, one of the world's leading specialty chemical companies, helps to improve the quality of consumers' lives by developing high value-added products, solutions and services in the areas of automotive, health care, fragrance, apparel, electronics, personal care and environmental protection.
Rhodia’s Silver Bow plant began operating in 1952. It processed phosphate ore into elemental phosphorous for use in a variety of products ranging from water treatment chemicals to food ingredients such as baking soda, baking powder and ice cream. Rhodia shut down the plant in 1995 for strategic business reasons and began dismantling its structures in 1997.
Rhodia is currently working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality on a plan for long-term management of the remaining materials and structures at the plant.