Sept. 12, 2019

This paid piece is sponsored by POET.

Whether he’s building computers or working on 3-D printers, Baltic native Rick Kittelson is always looking to innovate and push the boundaries in design.

In high school, Kittelson set multiple records for planning and programming robots on the school’s robotics team. Now, he’s pursuing an electrical engineering degree at South Dakota State University and wants to use his passion for problem-solving to change the world. One of his goals is to study biomedical engineering to employ 3-D printing technology to make stronger, more effective prosthetic limbs.

“I have made the decision that I will never allow myself to be limited by my own mind-set,” he said. “If the money isn’t there or the technology doesn’t exist, push the limits. Make it cheaper. Make it better. If it doesn’t exist, create it. This is how I will use my ‘never satisfied’ mentality to change the world.”

Kittelson is one of 10 recipients of POET’s third annual Never Satisfied Scholarship program.

POET has awarded 27 scholarships to students like Kittelson who are passionate about changing the world for the better. These students have ambitious dreams and goals, from tackling climate change, to providing clean water to young women in developing countries, to running programs for vulnerable inner-city youth.

For the 2020 Never Satisfied class, POET is offering 10 scholarships of up to $5,000 each to students, regardless of major or GPA, who are enrolled in any two- or four-year post-secondary school in the United States. Applications are due Feb. 14, 2020.

Last year, POET expanded the scholarship program to support 10 students nationwide for a cumulative total of up to $50,000. The program continues to garner more interest. In 2019, more than 2,100 students from all 50 states applied to the program. POET’s Never Satisfied effort includes not only the scholarship program but also a grant program to strengthen communities across POET’s footprint. POET has awarded 50 Never Satisfied grants in the first two years of the program.

POET is constantly seeking out new ways to improve the company’s production practices and to do even more with the corn kernel, whether it’s through its JIVE asphalt-rejuvenation product or making animal feed more nutritious through its distillers grain. Supporting future innovators and change-makers who want to change the world fits within the company ethos.

For 2019 Never Satisfied scholar Antonia Rose Block — who is from Wilmot, population 492 — a trip to the POET headquarters in Sioux Falls helped her see how even seemingly minor ideas can have a ripple effect.

“Coming from a small town, you feel like you’re just another insignificant piece of a larger puzzle. When I found out about what POET does, even those small actions multiplied over many people can make something that really can change the world for the better.”

Block wants to make an impact in the environmental space. Her long-term plan is to work in a STEM field — such as biofuels, pollution control or environmental protection — that addresses global problems by implementing practical solutions. To help her reach that goal, Block is studying chemical engineering with an environmental emphasis at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

“For me, ‘never satisfied’ means that you’re not going to just stick with the status quo. You’re going to continue to try to go above and beyond and find new solutions and work out the problems that come up from those solutions.”

About POET’s Never Satisfied Scholarship

POET Never Satisfied Scholarships are open to students enrolled in any two- or four-year post-secondary school, regardless of major or GPA. Never Satisfied scholars receive up to $5,000 each and will have the opportunity to visit the POET Sioux Falls campus. The 2020 scholarship application closes Feb. 14, 2020.

To apply, visit poet.com/neversatisfied

Stay tuned to POET’s social media channels to view videos on the 2019 scholars.

2019 POET Never Satisfied scholars

• Samantha Pearl, West Liberty University, West Virginia
• Austin Layton, Taylor University, Indiana
• Hailey Kingsbury, Miami University, Ohio
• Rick Kittelson, South Dakota State University
• Gavin Spoor, University of Missouri
• Samuel Ryckman, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
• Arianna Smith, Purdue University, Indiana
• Emerson Peaslee, University of Iowa
• Antonia Rose Block, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
• Sirrena Norris, American Intercontinental University, Georgia