LANSING, MI and RALEIGH, NC – The John B. Lockington Memorial Scholarship, one of the 11 major scholarships awarded by the RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association) to the children and grandchildren of its members, plans to expand in 2027 through a matching gift challenge.
Between now and Dec. 31, Business Machines Company (BMC), a leading retail and restaurant technology solution provider for over 60 years who founded the Lockington Scholarship in 2023, will match donations to the scholarship up to $25,000.
If a total of $50,000 is raised – $25,000 in community donations and $25,000 from BMC – the scholarship will be expanded from one $2,500 annual award to two $2,500 annual awards.
The match program was first announced July 27 at RetailNOW, the RSPA’s annual trade show and education conference, by BMC Chairman Emeritus Bob Bauer during his RSPA Retail Technology Hall of Fame induction speech.
The first donations were pledged by longtime association members Bruce Mann of Mann & Associates and Ted Kramer of ProSwipe during RetailNOW.
The scholarship is named in honor of John B. Lockington, a 2011 RSPA Hall of Fame inductee and the only Executive Director of the Systems Dealers Association (SDA) which later merged with the ICRDA (Independent Cash Register Dealers Association) to form today’s RSPA. Remembered as a devoted leader in the point-of-sale industry, Lockington was the driving force behind the SDA’s Annual dealer meeting Advantage, a precursor of today’s RetailNOW trade show and conference.
Recipients of the Lockington Scholarship are associated with an RSPA member that operates as a full-service POS solution provider and are individuals pursuing an educational curriculum intended to support a career with an RSPA member company.
Bauer said during his RetailNOW induction speech, “Most, if not all of us, have had mentors along the way. Today I join two of them, Bob Underwood and John Lockington, in this distinguished group, the RSPA Hall of Fame. I’m pleased to announce today a $25,000 matching contribution to endow this Scholarship to $100,000.”
“Our community is grateful to Bob and BMC for their positive influence on our members over so many decades,” said Jim Roddy, President & CEO of the RSPA. “Bob has led the way with his service to our community, and this scholarship continues his legacy while at the same time paying tribute to a great leader like John Lockington. We are honored to continue to serve our community through the RSPA Scholarship Program and the expansion of this scholarship.”
Since the inception of the RSPA Scholarship Program, the RSPA has awarded over 2,000 merit scholarships and nearly $3 million to families of member companies. The children and grandchildren of all RSPA members are eligible for merit-based scholarships to help ease the costs associated with post-secondary education. RSPA scholarships can be applied to vocational schools, community colleges, four-year colleges, and post-graduate education.
For more information on the RSPA Scholarship Program, visit www.GoRSPA.org/scholarship or email the RSPA Member Services Team of Peggy Fry, Nicole Greene, and Heather Broussard at Membership@GoRSPA.org.
About BMC
Business Machines Company, Inc. was founded in 1958. Now, over 60 years later, the company has grown to a nationwide installed base approaching 5,000 locations. BMC has helped customers navigate through changes by migrating from mechanical and electronic cash registers to modern, Windows and Android based POS solutions with today’s latest features, including Software as a Service (SaaS), Contactless Payments, eCommerce, Online Ordering, Loyalty, Self Service Kiosks and Mobility. BMC is an authorized reseller of NCR, PAR, and TGCS. Team professionals are certified on all hardware and software platforms represented. The leadership team participates in various advisory councils, boards, and committees to ensure you are the forefront of emerging technologies. Learn more by visiting www.bmc-pos.com.
About RSPA (Retail Solutions Providers Association)
The RSPA is North America’s largest community of VARs, software providers, vendors, and distributors in the retail, restaurant, and grocery verticals. The mission of the RSPA is to accelerate the success of its members in the retail technology ecosystem by providing knowledge and connections. The organization offers member-to-member warm introductions, education, legal advice, industry advocacy, and other services to assist members with becoming and remaining successful. RSPA is most well-known for its signature events, RetailNOW® and Inspire®, which provide face-to-face learning and networking opportunities. Learn more by visiting www.GoRSPA.org.
