Chicago—In July, the Industrial Distribution Assn. lost its executive vice president, Gary L. Buffington, to cancer. But Buffington will be remembered for years to come, thanks in part to efforts by industry leaders, I.D.A. staff members and the Buffington family, to create the Gary L. Buffington Scholarship, a $10,000 award to be given each year to a college senior majoring in industrial distribution.

Gary Buffington's brother, Mike Buffington, announced the scholarship program during the I.D.A. Annual Manufacturer & Distributor Business Expo in Chicago Nov. 22–24. He said the first scholarship will be awarded in the fall of 2004, and that it will go to a student who embodies Gary's ideals, and his commitment to leadership and community service.

To date, close to $100,000 has been raised for the scholarship fund.

Mike Buffington credited former I.D.A. president Scott Parrish, of Turner Supply Co., with spearheading the program; he also recognized his mother, Catherine Buffington, and other members of his family who traveled to Chicago for the presentation.

"I am honored to speak on behalf of my family today," he said to attendees during the Business Expo's General Session. "Thanks to each of you for sharing your life with Gary.

"[Gary] believed you should make the most of your God-given talents—that in doing so, you'd get untold opportunities. I can't think of a better way to remember Gary than with this scholarship."

Gary Buffington was a prominent figure in the distribution industry for more than 30 years. He was administrative assistant and executive vice president of the Southern Industrial Distributors Assn. before being named executive vice president of I.D.A. in 1988.

For more information on the Gary L. Buffington Scholarship, contact I.D.A. at (877) 591-6210.