Five undergraduate students majoring in construction-related fields at Texas universities were recently named winners of the 2011-2012 Herman J. Smith/National Housing Endowment Scholarship.

The Herman J. Smith Scholarship Fund, honoring 1981 NAHB President Herman J. Smith, provides assistance to graduate and undergraduate students studying construction management, mortgage finance and related fields. Scholarship awards are made each year by the Greater Fort Worth Home Builders Association education foundation.

The students, who were awarded $2,500 scholarships each, include:

• Brandon Colquitt, a sophomore at Texas Tech University majoring in construction engineering
• Douglas Doucette, a senior at Texas A&M University studying construction science
• Aldo Guerra, a sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in architecture
• Jacob Hernandez, a freshman at the University of Texas at San Antonio majoring in architecture
• Rodolfo Rodriguez, a senior at the University of Texas in Austin majoring in architecture

“The local Fort Worth, Texas, scholarship committee is inspired every year when we review biographies, academics and future plans of students in housing-related careers who apply for the Herman J. Smith/National Housing Endowment Scholarship,” said Patsy Smith, who established the scholarship in her husband’s memory. “We are happy to serve in making an impact for the future of housing in America.”

Patsy Smith is also an endowment life trustee and a trustee and past chair of the Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of NAHB.

Since its inception in 1994, the Smith scholarship fund has awarded more than $197,500 to 116 students.

“We are so honored to present these scholarships that honor the memory of Herman Smith,” said Bob Mitchell, endowment chairman and 2000 NAHB president. “His legacy and spirit lives on in the scholarship and ambition of these students.”

$20,000 Grant Awarded to HBI Fund

The Smith scholarship committee also awarded a $20,000 grant to the Home Builders Institute Fund to create certification testing for the home building-related trades.

More Endowment Scholarship Programs

The endowment awards more than $300,000 in scholarships each year to students pursuing careers in residential construction and related fields.

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