SCHAUMBURG, ILL. – The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) continues its commitment for the eighth year in a row by awarding four scholarships to children of employees of AAMA member companies. The scholarship award winners were announced at the 2009 AAMA National Summer Conference, held May 31-June 3 in Minneapolis. Scholarship grants are made possible through AAMA member annual contributions and sponsorships.
The first 2009 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Brian Modtland, an upcoming sophomore at Iowa State University, where he is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. Brian graduated high school with a 4.098 GPA and served as the president of the State of Iowa Physics Olympics. His father, David Modtland, is an employee of Pella Corporation, in Pella, Iowa.
The second recipient is Michael Rzonca, an upcoming freshman at the University of Florida, with plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering. Michael was a member of the Robotics Club at Cardinal Mooney High School and also obtained his Eagle Scout Award. Michael's father, Andrew Rzonca, is a mechanical engineer for PGT Industries in Nokomis, Fla.
The third recipient is Joseph Bailey, an upcoming sophomore at LeTourneau University, where he is pursuing a double major in mechanical engineering and materials joining. Brian ran his own business in high school, as well as spent six months working as a welder for Vermeer Manufacturing. He hopes to someday run and operate his own manufacturing company. Joseph's father, Scott Bailey, is an employee of Pella Corporation.
The fourth and final recipient of an AAMA Scholarship Award is Kevin Mather, an upcoming freshman at Johns Hopkins University, where he has plans to pursue degrees in mathematics and physics. Kevin aspires to someday earn a Ph.D in mathematics. Kevin's father, Marvin (Wink) Mather III, is an employee of Acadia Windows & Doors in Baltimore.
The AAMA Scholarship Program offers families of employees of AAMA member companies the opportunity to obtain financial aid for higher education in pursuit of a degree in an engineering or technical field relating to the building products industry. The scholarship is a one-time award of $2,000. Applicants are judged on grade point average, college entrance exam scores, and a 500-word essay. Eligible candidates must be high school seniors or college students, who are children of employees of AAMA member companies in good standing.
In addition to AAMA's national awards, AAMA member companies, have the opportunity to participate in the Scholarship Partner Program in conjunction with the AAMA Scholarship Program to provide a scholarship opportunity for children of their own employees. This year, Graham Architectural Products, Mikron Industries (a division of Quanex) and Milgard Manufacturing participated in this program, awarding five total scholarships.
Gabrielle Lehigh, an upcoming college freshman, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Graham Architectural Products. Theresa Mehringer, an upcoming freshman at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, receives the $2,000 Ron Sandwith Scholarship from Mikron Industries. Milgard Manufacturing awards three $2,000 scholarships. The recipients are Angela Pratt, an upcoming freshman at the University of Washington; Daniel Spoelstra, an upcoming junior at Portland State University, and Maegan Carpenter, an upcoming freshman at the University of California in Santa Barbara.
For information on AAMA Scholarship Programs, visit the AAMA Web site at www.aamanet.org &&a href="http://www.aamanet.org">http://www.aamanet.org> or contact Evy Lipecka, AAMA membership coordinator at (847) 303-5859 ext. 222 or via email at elipecka@aamanet.org &&a href="mailto:elipecka@aamanet.org">mailto:elipecka@aamanet.org> .
AAMA is the source of performance standards, product certification, and educational programs for the fenestration industry.(SM)
Press Contacts:
Heather West, Heather West Public Relations
E-mail: heather@heatherwestpr.com &&a href="mailto:heather@heatherwestpr.com">mailto:heather@heatherwestpr.com>; 612-724-8760
Angela Dickson, marketing manager, AAMA
Email: adickson@aamanet.org &&a href="mailto:adickson@aamanet.org">mailto:adickson@aamanet.org>; 866-985-7510
