Established by a gift of A. Finkl and Sons Co. and contributions from the forging industry in memory of Chuck Finkl, the Charles W. Finkl Scholarship program is a tribute to two of Chuck’s passions - education and the forging industry.
Charles W. (Chuck) Finkl
1920 - 2002
To many, Charles W. Finkl was synonymous with A. Finkl & Sons Co. As the fourth member of the family to head the company, Chuck served as President and Chairman in his 57 years with the company. Chuck’s great-grandfather, Anton Finkl created a hammer/chisel that was forged in a small blacksmith shop in 1879 used to recycle bricks left from the Great Chicago Fire.
Among his many accomplishments:
- Inventor of ladle metallurgy
- Prolific inventor holding more than 100 patents for processes and equipment
- Over 25 years of service on the FIERF Board of Trustees, two times serving as President
- Recipient of the prestigious Billy Wallis Award from the Electric Metal Makers Guild
- Benefactor of the FIERF Finkl Challenge -- Chuck's challenge led to over $350,000 raised to fund education and research programs in the forging industry
- Honored by the Iron and Steel Society as one of the principal founders in the science and practice of vacuum degassing and ladle metallurgy
- Awarded an honorary doctorate by the Illinois Institute of Technology for a lifetime of contributions to industry and education
- Major supporter of several Chicago Public and Private Schools, one of which is named the Finkl Academy
- Served on the Board of Directors of the American Iron and Steel Institute and the Illinois Institute of Technology
- Member Chicago Business Hall of Fame
- Dedicated Environmentalist receiving awards from the City of Chicago and the National Arbor Day Foundation
Charles W. Finkl Scholarship Program