Jim and Shirley Cook Scholarship

It’s that time of year again—we are looking for our next scholarship candidate! The Jim and Shirley Cook Scholarship was established to support graduating high school students interested in studying mechanical engineering, computer numerical control programming, welding, or machine tool technology—careers that have been vital to CSI success since its beginning. The Community Foundation of the Ozarks accepts scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Established in 2016 in honor of Jim and Shirley Cook and their commitment to the Southwest Missouri region where the CSI family has grown to over 200 and counting, the scholarship supports graduating seniors who are going on to attend accredited technical, two-year, and four-year institutions.

Since beginning in their Jefferson City garage in 1977, the Cooks built an organization that focuses on helping customers succeed, and their vision lives on through the support of future professionals in fields that have contributed to CSI's leadership role in the processing industry. Although Jim is no longer with us, the Cook family hopes to continue his legacy with this scholarship to encourage young people to join careers in an industry that Jim served for decades. To date, there have been eight recipients of the Jim and Shirley Cook Scholarship.

This scholarship is administered through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks during the scholarship season that runs February 1–March 13. Scholarship requirements and details can be found on the Community Foundation of the Ozarks website. Applicants are encouraged to apply online for this scholarship. Wishing all candidates much success with their scholastic endeavors.