Lakewood, CO – The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) today announced that it has granted its annual Bud Mayhew Memorial Scholarship Award to Nathan Claus, a first-year student at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, Colo., where he is pursuing a degree in Ski Area Operations.nThe $750 scholarship is provided in memory of Everett “Bud” Mayhew, who spent more than 30 years of his life supporting the ski lift industry. The award was established in 1997. The scholarship, which is open to students pursuing degrees and careers in ski area operations, is sponsored by Doppelmayr-CTEC, one of the world’s leading ski lift manufacturers, and the company where Bud Mayhew established his ski industry career.

“Nathan is a very deserving recipient of the Bud Mayhew Scholarship, through his academic performance, he clearly illustrates the determined work ethic required to lead a successful career in today’s ski industry,” says NSAA Director of Education & Risk Dave Byrd.

Claus is currently ranked at the top of his class at Colorado Mountain College, with a 3.92 grade point average. An Eagle Scout, he also holds an undergraduate degree in English from Penn State University. Claus has worked as a lift operator at a number of ski areas, including Mammoth Mountain and Northstar-at-Tahoe in California, and Copper Mountain in Colorado. In January this year, Claus was named Employee of the Month at Copper Mountain. Claus is also the recipient of the Rocky Mountain Lift Association’s (RMLA) annual scholarship, in the amount of $750, which is awarded separately by that organization.