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Five Awarded Women’s Council Scholarships
 Five women pursuing careers in residential construction are the recipients of the 2009-2010 NAHB Women’s Council/National Housing Endowment “Strategies for Success” Scholarship.
The five were chosen from 52 students who applied for the scholarship, now in its eighth year.
The scholarship winners are:
- Amanda Brown, a high school senior in Cumming, Ga. has been accepted by the University of Georgia, Auburn University and Clemson University and plans to pursue a career in the historic preservation of homes and other structures. She was awarded $1,000.
- Kathleen Busch, a high school senior in Juneau, Alaska, was a member on the winning team in the high school division of the NAHB Residential Construction Management Competition held at the International Builders’ Show in January. This fall, she will begin studying architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. She was awarded $1,000.
- Michelle Lachat, a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, is majoring in construction management and is also serving in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. She was awarded $1,000.
- Indumanthie Tilakaratne, now in her third year at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md., went back to school after working in construction estimating for 15 years. She is studying for a career in construction management and was awarded $1,000.
- Hannah Woolsey, a junior at Brigham Young University, is majoring in construction management and has participated in the NAHB Residential Construction Management Competition for two years. She was awarded $1,500.
“I was just so amazed at the number of talented women interested in the building industry,” said Carole Hauke, president of Hauke Building Supply in Colchester, Vt., a life director at NAHB and a member of NAHB’s Women’s Council and the National Commercial Builders Council. “It makes me excited for what the future will hold.”
Established in 2001, the scholarship provides financial support to students pursuing housing or housing-related careers. The scholarship is funded by NAHB and Women’s Council members, corporate donors and William and Carole Hauke, founding advocates of the endowment who committed their entire donation to the “Strategies for Success” scholarship fund.
“Supporting education is vital,” said Hauke. “There are so many facets to this industry and it is getting harder and harder to be informed. These scholarships help make more informed female builders. By supporting this scholarship we are investing in the future leaders of our industry,” she added, while noting that two women have already served as presidents of NAHB.
“This scholarship fund is truly in keeping with our mission,” said Gary Garczynski, endowment chairman and 2002 NAHB president. “The endowment is working to increase the number of professionals entering residential construction and this scholarship, along with other programs we sponsor, is leading the effort to reward and encourage the best and brightest to choose this field.”
Endowment Scholarship Programs
The endowment administers 12 scholarship programs and awards more than $300,000 each year to students pursuing careers in residential construction and related fields.
For more information, visit the endowment Web site at www.nationalhousingendowment.org.
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