As part of its mission to enhance the professionalism of the building and construction industries in the lower Hudson Valley, the Construction Advancement Institute (CAI) recently awarded $65,000 in grants to 11 regional undergraduate students and two graduate students who are enrolled in engineering, architecture, construction technology, construction management or other related hard-science (STEM) programs this fall. CAI is the educational and advocacy organization aligned with the Building Contractors Association of Westchester & The Mid-Hudson Region Inc.
The CAI Scholarship Committee reviewed more than two dozen scholarship applications, school transcripts and essays in August, explained CAI Chairman Mark Fante of Darante Construction Ltd., Elmsford, New York. The awards to the 13 recipients are $5,000 grants for use during the current 2022-23 academic year. “The money our industry raises and disburses for college scholarships is one of several annual charity efforts performed by members of the construction contracting community and aligned labor unions to benefit families and schools both in the Hudson Valley region and nationwide,” Fante said.
In presenting a profile of the program since its inception in 2009, Fante said 54% of CAI grant recipients have or are now attending state institutions vs. 46% going to private colleges and universities. Some 57% attend in-state programs vs. 43% out of state. The top major fields of study are: civil engineering, electrical engineering, construction management, mechanical engineering, architecture and mathematics.
Since its inception, the CAI Scholarship Program has awarded 106 grants to 62 students at more than 40 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. This year”™s grant award of $65,000 also lifts the total scholarship awarded by CAI to $464,000 since its inception 14 academic years ago, when six grants were bestowed.
