American Architectural Manufacturers Association

AAMA Announces Annual Scholarship Award Winners

June 12, 2012

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) celebrates 12 consecutive years of furthering the careers and education of students pursuing a degree related to the building products industry by awarding seven scholarships to children of employees of AAMA member companies. The scholarship award winners were announced during the 2012 AAMA Summer Conference, held June 10-13, in Oak Brook, IL.

AAMA Member representatives accept awards for scholarship winners. Pictured above from left to right: Joe Hayden (Pella), Steve Strawn (JELD-WEN), Bob Cregg (Sherwin-Williams), Ray Garries (JELD-WEN), Chair of the Scholarship Advisory Committee, Chuck Gilderman (Truth Hardware), Scott Warner (Architectural Testing) and Kelly Broker (Dow Corning)

"AAMA is pleased to acknowledge the outstanding students who have dedicated themselves to their academic and extracurricular endeavors in order to pursue a career in architecture, engineering and related fields,” said Rich Walker, AAMA President and CEO. “By supporting these students on their journey to further develop their knowledge and passion, we are hopeful they will make valuable contributions in the building products industry upon completing their education.”

The AAMA Scholarship is a one-time award of $2,000. All children of employees of AAMA member companies are eligible to obtain financial aid for higher education in pursuit of a degree in an engineering or technical field relating to the building products industry. 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.

“Each year, AAMA awards a minimum of three scholarships. This year, four additional scholarships were awarded due to the generous contributions of AAMA members,” said Janice Yglesias, AAMA’s Association Services Director.

Beginning with this year’s award recipients, one of the AAMA-funded scholarships commemorates a significant milestone or achievement for the association. This commemorative award, known this year as the AAMA 75^th Anniversary Scholarship Award, is given to the top-ranking scholarship applicant.

The recipient of the AAMA 75^th Anniversary Scholarship Award is Jonathan Dorsch, a soon-to-be freshman at Yale University, where he will major in mechanical engineering due to his interest in building principles. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Jonathan was co-chair of the Eastview Senior High Science Olympiad team, a member of the National Honor Society and participated in marching and jazz band. Additionally, he is an active volunteer, giving his time to causes such as Feed My Starving Children and Relay for Life. His father, Jeffrey Dorsch, is an employee of Truth Hardware Corporation in Owatonna, MN.

The first 2012 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Matthew Blom, a soon-to-be freshman at Iowa State University, where he will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. Mathew has received awards for his leadership on the football field, as well as for his engineering research endeavors through the University of Wisconsin-Plateville. In addition to tutoring students in mathematics, Matthew participates on his church worship team and is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes student leader. His father, George Blom, is an employee of Pella Corporation in Pella, IA.

The second 2012 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Megan Conley, a soon-to-be freshman at Clemson University, where she will be studying civil engineering. Holding a 4.0 GPA, Megan was the vice president of the Henley High School Student Government, president of Key Club and National Honor Society and captain of the varsity soccer, tennis and junior varsity basketball teams. Megan’s interest for architecture began at a young age when she began sketching floor plans on grid paper. Her father, James Conley, is an employee of JELD-WEN in Portland, OR.

The third 2012 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Rachel Hlatky, a soon-to-be freshman at the University of Pennsylvania, where she will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. As a student at Magnificat High School, Rachel achieved First Honors for four years and had perfect attendance for three. Rachel was the captain of her high school track team and was a member of Key Club. Her father, Michael Hlatky, is an employee of GED Integrated Solutions in Twinsburg, OH.

The fourth 2012 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Griffin Lay, a soon-to-be freshman at Washington University, where he will major in engineering mechanics. While in high school, Griffin held a 4.0 GPA and was an Honor Society member and AP Scholar for two years. Additionally, Griffin was an active member in Student Government and Model United Nations. Griffin’s interest in engineering stems from math courses he took at a young age. His stepfather, David Kranz, is an employee of Architectural Testing, Inc. in York, PA.

The fifth 2012 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Zachary Lee, a soon-to-be freshman at John Brown University, where he will pursue a degree in electrical engineering. Zachary held a 4.0 GPA while attending Larue County High School and was an AP Scholar and member of the Future Business Leaders of America. Zachary has a wide range of volunteer experience, including fundraising to fight world hunger and donating school supplies to at-risk children. His father, Martin Lee, is an employee of Dow Corning Corporation in Midland, MI.

The sixth 2012 AAMA Scholarship Award recipient is Hannah Wascomb, a soon-to-be freshman at Mississippi State University, where she will be studying mechanical engineering. While attending Pickerington High School North, Hannah was on the Distinguished Honor Roll for four years and was an active member in Key Club. Specifically, Hannah is interested in naval architecture and engineering. Her father, Gregory Wascomb, is an employee of Sherwin-Williams Company in Cleveland, OH.

In addition to these 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. AAMA scholarship partners include Graham Architectural Products, Milgard Manufacturing and Mikron Industries, a Quanex Company.

Mark Kelly, an upcoming college freshman at Loyola University of Maryland, has been awarded the scholarship from Graham Architectural Products scholarship. Milgard Manufacturing has awarded three scholarships. The recipients are Jeremy Thomas, an upcoming junior at Columbia University: School of Engineering and Applied Science; Thao-Mi Lam, an upcoming freshman at the University of Washington-Seattle; and Johnathan Baker, an upcoming sophomore at Portland Community College. Mikron has awarded two scholarships: Alyssa Benson, an upcoming freshman at Pima Medical Institute, and Jane Schrader, an upcoming senior at the University of Washington-Tacoma.

For more information visit the AAMA Scholarship Programs web page or contact Jacqueline Luna, AAMA’s Membership Coordinator.

More information about AAMA and its activities can be found via the AAMA Media Relations page or on the AAMA website, www.aamanet.org.

AAMA is the source of performance standards, product certification,
and educational programs for the fenestration industry.^SM

back