July 21, 2023

TARRYTOWN, NY—As part of its mission to enhance expertise and professionalism in building and construction in the Lower Hudson Valley, the Construction Advancement Institute (CAI) this month awarded $75,000 in grants to 15 regional undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled this coming fall in engineering, architecture, construction technology, construction management and other related programs. 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 June, said CAI Chairman Mark Fante of Darante Construction Ltd. of Elmsford, NY. The awards to the 15 recipients are $5,000 grants for use in the current 2023-2024 academic year.

“The money our industry raises and disburses for college scholarships is one of several annual charity efforts performed by members of organized labor and the construction contracting community benefitting families and schools both in the Hudson Valley region and nationwide,” Mr. Fante added. “Our goal is to strengthen the ranks of engineers and technologists employed at the companies that are members of our association. It’s one more way the association works to keep our member companies competitive and keep our local economies growing.”

Since its inception in 2009, the CAI Scholarship Program has gradually increased the number of annual awards. To date, the program has bestowed 121 grants to 74 students who have attended some 37 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. This year’s grant award of $75,000 also lifts the total scholarship awarded by CAI to more than $539,000 since its first year when just six grants were awarded.

The following scholars were chosen from more than 30 applicants who applied for and were carefully considered by the CAI Scholarship Committee. They are:

Cristopher Altomare, 18, of Yonkers, NY, who attends Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering. He is the grandson of a member of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1 New York.

Valeriy Borkun, 21, of White Plains, NY, is a junior attending CUNY Queens College in New York, pursuing a degree in Economics and Construction Management. He is the son of an employee of BCA-member company LeChase Construction Services.

Taylor Bruck, 21, of New Paltz, NY is a senior who is attending SUNY @ Binghamton, NY, pursuing a degree in Computer Science and Mathematical Science.  She is the daughter of a member of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137.

Kyle Burdick, 21, of Patterson, NY, is a junior attending Manhattan College in the Bronx, pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering. He is the son of a member of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137.

Robert Caulfield, 22, of Blauvelt, NY, is a senior at Manhattan College in the Bronx, pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. He is the son of a BCA-member company Yonkers Contracting.

Anthony Darrow, 18, of Hopewell Junction, NY, is a freshman attending Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY, pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.  He is the son of a BCA-member of Darlind Associates.

Eric Darrow, 18, of Hopewell Junction, NY, is a freshman attending Villanova University, Villanova, PA, pursuing a degree in Management.  He is the son of a BCA-member of Darlind Associates.

Massimo Fante, 21, of Sleepy Hollow, NY, is a senior attending Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences. He is the son of BCA-member company Darante Construction, Ltd.

Mark J. Griffin, 21, of Yonkers, NY, is a senior who attends the New York State University of Buffalo, pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering Mechanical Drawing. He is the son of an associate of the BCA-member company Yonkers Contracting.

Cooper Mistishin, 21, of Lake Ariel, PA, is a senior who attends Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY, pursuing a degree in Software Engineering.  He is the son of a BCA-member company Peckham Industries.

Daniella Mulvey, 23, of Valhalla, NY, is attending graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, PA, Stuart Weitzman School of Design, pursuing a degree in Masters of Architecture.  She is the daughter of a BCA-member company Stratis Contracting Corp.

Nicholas Mulvey, 20, of Valhalla, NY, will be attending Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA, pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.  He is the son of a BCA-member company Stratis Contracting Corp.

Robert Stepien, 22, of Wayne, NJ, is a senior attending the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. He is the son of a BCA-member company Halmar International LLC.

Kristen Stepien, 18, of Wayne, NJ, is a junior attending the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, pursuing a degree in Engineering Management. She is the daughter of a BCA-member Company Halmar International LLC.

Wyatt Yates, 21, of Chappaqua, NY, is a senior attending Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, pursuing a degree in Industrial Design.  He is the grandson of a member of Carpenters Local 279