Students Share $30,000 in CAI College Grants

August 1, 2017

TARRYTOWN, NY – As part of its mission to spur improvements to the building and construction industry sectors, the Westchester County-based Construction Advancement Institute (CAI) awarded this month six scholarships to college undergraduate students enrolled to study science, technology, engineering, math and other courses of study this fall.

The CAI Scholarship Committee presented each student with a $5,000 grant toward the 2017-18 academic year at an awards luncheon in Elmsford, NY on July 12.

The scholarship awards announcement by the CAI, which is the educational and advocacy component organization aligned with the Building Contractors Association (BCA), was made by BCA Chairman Fred Sciliano, a vice president of the LeChase, building and construction company with offices in Armonk, NY.

“The fund our industry raises and disburses for college scholarships is one of several charitable efforts the members of organized labor and our construction contracting companies perform jointly for the community,” said BCA Chairman Sciliano. “Our goal is to strengthen the ranks of engineers and technologists who are employed in the region to help keep our local economies competitive and growing.”

The six students receiving 2017 CAI scholarships were judged by the CAI Scholarship Committee that received more than three dozen applications. The winners are:

Seated, from left, Albert Rossi, 19, of Patterson, NY; Michael Rossi, 22, of Harrison, NY; Abigail Campbell, 19, of Geneseo, NY; Paul Briggs, 24, of Shrub Oak, NY; Andrew Griffin, 18, of Yonkers, NY; and Joshua Wyant, 20, of Germantown, NY. Standing: CAI Chairman Mark Fante of Darante Construction, Ltd.; CAI Trustee Jay Martino of Martino Contractors, Inc.; Laurel Brunelle, CAI Program Director; CAI Trustee Dominic Calgi of Calgi Construction Company, Inc.; CAI Executive Director Ross J. Pepe; CAI Trustee Fred Sciliano of LeChase Construction; and BCA Executive Director Matthew Pepe.

Paul Briggs, 24, of Shrub Oak, NY attends Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY and is continuing to pursue his degree in Civil Engineering.  Mr. Briggs is the son of an associate of BCA-member company Sentrale Contracting.

Abigail C. Campbell, 19, of Geneseo, NY, who attends Alfred State College of Technology, Alfred, NY.  Ms. Campbell is pursuing her degree in Construction Management.  She is the daughter of an associate of BCA-member company LeChase Construction.

Andrew J. Griffin, 18, of Yonkers, NY will be attending the State University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY to pursue his degree in Architecture.  Mr. Griffin is the son of an associate of BCA-member company Yonkers Contracting Company, Inc.

Albert C. Rossi, 19, of Patterson, NY is presently attending Westchester Community College, Valhalla, NY and will be transferring to Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY in 2018 to continue to pursue his career in Mechanical Engineering.  Mr. Rossi is the son of a member of Operating Engineers Union Local 137.

Michael A. Rossi, 22, of Harrison, NY is currently attending Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY and is continuing to pursue his degree in Civil Engineering/MBA Business.  Mr. Rossi is the son of an associate of BCA-member company Siteworks Contracting Corp.

Joshua Wyant, 20, of Germantown, NY attends Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. He is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering/Construction Management.  Mr. Wyant is the son of a member of Carpenters Union Local 279.

The BCA/CAI program offers scholarships of $5,000 each to college-bound students who qualify. Applications will be available online next spring 2018-19 scholarships on the organization’s website, www.caiwestchester.org.

Scholarships are available for family members of companies that are members of the BCA as well as non-BCA-member independent contractors that contribute to qualifying industry advancement funds.  Applications will also be accepted from eligible students who are related to the members of the following building construction union locals:  Bricklayers Local 5, Carpenters Local 279, Laborers Local 235 and Operating Engineers Local 137.

Since its inception, the BCA/CAI College Scholarship Program awards have helped more than three dozen students throughout the Hudson Valley region attend undergraduate institutions throughout the U.S. Its affiliated organization, the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc., also offers college grants for the children of employees of companies that are members of the BCA.

For additional information or application please contact Laurel Brunelle at (914) 631-1033 or by email at [email protected].

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