When Brian Wolfgang, applied for aid through the J. Roger Glunt/National Housing Endowment Graduate Fellowship in Residential Construction to help complete his master’s in architectural engineering at Penn State, little did the 2008 grant recipient realize it would also lead directly to a job in the industry working for a fellow recipient.

“Brian’s position as the Glunt Fellowship holder was his best selling point as I considered adding him to our staff,” said Brennan Glantz, a 1995 Glunt fellowship recipient and president of Engineering Projects, Inc. in State College, Pa., which provides engineering design and construction services for residential and light commercial builders.

Glantz also operates Bosak Construction, which was awarded the “Project of the Year” award for 2010 by the Builders Association of Central Pennsylvania. He also serves on the HBA’s board of directors and chairs its green building committee.

Glunt fellowships are awarded to graduate students at Penn State pursuing careers in residential construction. To date, 10 students were awarded Glunt fellowships worth a combined $22,000. Glantz was one of the fellowship’s first recipients. Wolfgang is the most recent.

In addition, the endowment has also awarded eight Glunt scholarships totaling $13,000 to undergraduate students at Penn State as well as Glunt travel awards to help provide students travel money to attend the NAHB International Builders’ Show each year.

Brennan Glantz

However, Roger Glunt, former endowment chairman and current trustee as well as the 1993 NAHB president, does not limit his student support to fellowships and scholarships. He also mentors student recipients and, whenever possible, helps open doors.

Glunt introduced Wolfgang to Glantz, and both fellowship recipients have benefitted.

“I have spent each day learning new things, not only from Brennan but also from the other engineers,” Wolfgang said, noting that he especially enjoys learning about the business side of construction and applying his education to on-the-job challenges.

“Brian is persistent, works way above the standard levels and is willing to do whatever it takes,” said Glantz. “He has come up to speed very fast and I am confident he will be a tremendous asset for us in the future.”

“It speaks volumes that one of the first Glunt fellows has hired the most recent fellow,” Glunt said of the fellowship connection. “It proves that this important program has matured and sustained the commitment to inspire the best and brightest to enter the home building industry.”

More Endowment Scholarship Programs

Each year, the endowment awards more than $350,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in residential construction and related fields.

For more information, visit the endowment Web site at www.nationalhousingendowment.org.