Alexis Claassen was awarded the Harold M. Gordon Hazard Control Management Scholarship. The award recognizes West Virginia University students in the safety management program who have exemplified academic success.

Claassen, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from WVU in 2011, and expects to complete her master’s degree in May 2014.

She first became interested in safety management when she enrolled in a loss prevention class her last semester as an undergraduate.

“Before taking the class, I knew I wanted to spend my life helping people but I wasn’t sure how,” said Claassen. “After the class, I liked that I had the knowledge to create safe solutions for workers each day and that my job could potentially save someone’s life.”

Claassen worked as a professional environmental health and safety intern with PPG Industries, Inc., in their corporate office and aerospace business unit before accepting her current position as an environmental health and safety specialist for the company’s industrial coatings plant in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

“I enjoy talking to workers on the floor and understanding their concerns,” said Claassen. “I want to work to ensure each worker goes home safe at the end of every day.”

The scholarship honors Harold M. Gordon., who established the certified hazard control manager credential in 1976 and served as the executive director of the Board of Hazard Control Management until his retirement in 2007.

-WVU-

bmd/09/05/14

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu

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