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Stuard Scholarship Fund Announces 15 Winners
 The National Housing Endowment, the philanthropic arm of NAHB, recently announced the 15 winners of the Dale & Bea Stuard National Housing Endowment Educational Fund Scholarship.
This year’s winners, most who are attending schools in California, are:
- Gwendy Azpeitia, Long Beach City College
- Thomas Blair, Arizona State University
- Jessie Blote, Cal Poly — San Luis Obispo
- Kayla Chapman, Cal Poly — San Luis Obispo
- Richard Delarosa, Cal Poly — San Luis Obispo
- Michael Duby, Saddleback College
- Brandon Gharios, Golden West Community College
- Jillian Gonzalez, Fullerton College
- John Gonzalez, Fullerton College
- Kristen King, Drury University, Mo.
- Eric Licon, Fullerton College
- Jan Lim, Woodbury University
- Sean Morrow, Fullerton College
- Anastasia Mylonas, Cal Poly — San Luis Obispo
- Leon Wood, University of Southern California
Scholarship applications were graded and ranked based on merit, economic need and student potential. The selection committee awarded a combined $26,500 in scholarships to the students.
“Bea and I are pleased to be able to help these students further their education, and are confident that they will make significant contributions to the field of residential construction,” said Dale Stuard, past chairman of the endowment and 1988 NAHB president. “We are proud to take part in the National Housing Endowment’s efforts to increase the number of professionals entering the residential construction industry.”
Established in 2000, the fund provides financial assistance to students in housing-related programs, with special emphasis given to students and programs in California. Since the program’s inception, more than $50,000 in scholarships has been awarded.
This year's selection committee included educators, industry professionals, government officials and representatives from local, non-profit organizations. They were Tom Grable, William Lyon Homes (scholarship committee chairman); Bruce Entezam, Gouvis Engineering; Corey Fox, Urban Arena; Kathy Johnson, Vital Link (Anaheim Union High School District liaison); Lawrence Jones, Building Industry Association, Orange County (BIA/OC) in Southern California; Mari Kurtz, Cal Pal Sheet Metal; Lynne Porter, North Orange County Regional Occupational Program; Bill Ramsey, KTGY Group; Gerry Robbins; Sterling Plumbing & California Professional Association of Specialty Contractors; and Paul Webster; representing state senator Mark Wyland.
Providing Support for Vocational Programs, Too
In early 2003, the Stuards worked with the Building Industry Association of Southern California Education Foundation to establish the Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) pilot program for students studying residential construction trades at Katella High School in Anaheim.
BITA is a comprehensive four-year training program that gives students the necessary skills, training, knowledge and contact with industry professionals to pursue careers in the home building industry. Students enter the program as high school freshmen and continue through their senior year. During the program, students are exposed to every facet of residential construction, including site preparation, framing, electrical, plumbing and roofing. Upon completing the program, students have the basic skills needed to work in the industry.
Since establishing the pilot program, the Stuards have donated $5,000 a year to the Building Industry Association, Orange County in Southern California to expand the BITA program into the Western High School program.
More Endowment Scholarship Programs
The endowment administers 12 scholarships and awards more than $350,000 each year to students pursuing careers in residential construction and related fields.
For more information, visit the endowment's Web site at www.nationalhousingendowment.org.
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