|
More Than 575 Students Apply for Scholarships to Attend IBS
|
|
 |
|
|
Endowment chairman Gary Garczynski, left, with Penn State students at the 2009 Builders' Show. | More than 575 students studying residential construction or a related field from 61 colleges, high schools and technical schools across the country have applied for National Housing Endowment scholarships to attend the 2010 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas next month. Most of the students are between two and four years away from beginning careers in the home building industry.
The scholarships ― in conjunction with the Home Builders Institute ― enable NAHB Student Chapter members to offset some or all of their travel and attendance expenses at IBS. Providing funding to students has proven to be instrumental in helping them learn outside the classroom and prepare careers in the home building industry.
The IBS scholarship program also helps give young NAHB members the tools to enter into the federation as graduates and to become future leaders.
This year, the endowment has allocated up to $100,000 for scholarships for the program. In addition, 20 home builders associations have committed more than $44,000 in matching funds to support student travel to IBS.
“The board of trustees of the National Housing Endowment felt this program was too valuable not to continue and that is why they made the decision to continue funding this program,” said Gary Garczynski, endowment chairman and 2002 NAHB president. “Even in these hard times, we still must invest in the future of our industry.”
Ever since Student Chapter activities and competitions have been held at IBS, students and faculty have been challenged to raise enough funds to attend the show.
Mark Kinney, a student at Central Michigan University who attended the 2009 IBS, said the scholarship helped reinforce his decision to pursue a career in residential construction.
“I learned about new products and ideas and tried some new tools,” Kinney said. “Being at IBS helped convince me that I was heading in the right direction. I greatly appreciate the funding I was given to attend this event and hope this scholarship will entice more students to enter this special industry.”
“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 encourage the best and brightest to choose this rewarding career,” said Garczynski. “We are so appreciative of our partnership with the Home Builders Institute and the NAHB Student Chapters, without whose support this program would not be such a success.”
For more information, visit the endowment Web site at www.nationalhousingendowment.org.
|
