​FOUR GRAIN VALLEY-AREA STUDENTS EARN 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS FROMNORTH AMERICAN RAIL GROUP OF KNORR-BREMSE

Four students from the Grain Valley, Missouri, area have been awarded 2025 scholarships from the combined North American Rail division companies of Knorr-Bremse, recognizing their academic achievements and future potential as they pursue higher education. The students were selected for this year’s U.S.-based cohort of 12 first-time scholarship recipients.

The Grain Valley-area recipients are:

Molly Friel, a sophomore majoring in music – vocal performance at William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri

Olivia Fries, a first-year student pursuing interior design at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas

Tyler Melton, a first-year student studying electrical engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri

Kiersten Parker, a first-year student focused on radiologic technology at Metropolitan Community College, Kansas City, Missouri
 
Each student is the child of an employee at KB Signaling’s Grain Valley headquarters, part of the Munich, Germany-based Knorr-Bremse’s North American Rail group. In addition to KB Signaling, which supplies conventional signaling to the rail industry, the group includes Westminster, Maryland-based Knorr Brake Company (transit rail); and Watertown, New York-based New York Air Brake (freight rail).

The scholarship program was established in 2019 by New York Air Brake as a way to support children of employees and reinforce the company’s commitment to education. It expanded to include Knorr Brake Company in 2023 and KB Signaling in 2025.

Since its inception, dozens of students have benefited annually from the scholarship, which has become a hallmark initiative of the North American Rail group. This year, 24 students across the U.S. are supported through the program, including the 12 new recipients and 12 students who received a scholarship renewal.

“KB Signaling is proud to support this program and celebrate the achievements of outstanding students like Molly, Olivia, Tyler, and Kiersten,” said Matt Shick, vice president of human resources at Knorr-Bremse Rail NA. “This scholarship reflects our belief in the power of education, the strength of our community commitment, and the company’s ongoing investment in helping the children of our team members succeed.”
​