Twenty-five students were recognized with JRGF scholarships totaling $110,000 at MCAA26. Indiana State University emerged as the victors for the Student Chapter Competition and returned to campus with a $10,000 prize, sponsored by DEWALT, following their main stage Final Four presentation in Phoenix. The MVP – Most Valuable Presenter was awarded to Braidyn Hudson from Indiana State University.
California State University, Chico was selected as the 2025-2026 Student Chapter of the Year (also going home with $10,000) and Jonathan Bluey (Virginia Tech), was awarded $5,000 and the distinct honor of being named the Educator of the Year. A brand-new chapter at the University of Missouri–St. Louis was also chartered on stage at MCAA26.
JRGF Scholarships
MCAA President, Brian Hughes and Brian Helm, President of the John R. Gentille Foundation, congratulated the recipients of the following scholarships at the Awards of Excellence Breakfast on March 18, 2026. The students receiving scholarships were selected for their academic performance, leadership skills within their chapter, and interest in developing a career in the mechanical industry.
ATP Inspiring Future Leaders Scholarship
Preston McDonald of Indiana State University is the recipient of a $2,500 scholarship provided by ATP. The scholarship was established to recognize, support and inspire students in the mechanical industry.
Robert J. Durr, Sr. – UA/NCPWB Partnering Scholarship
Christian Holden of Kent State University received a $2,500 scholarship check in honor of Robert J. Durr, Sr., former chairman of the National Certified Pipe Wilding Bureau Board of Trustees. Robert’s effort and dedication in creating a partnership between the United Association and the NCPWB resulted in the formation of the Joint Welder Testing Program. The scholarship is in its fourth year and is sponsored by the NCPWB.
Josam Endowed Scholarship
Tyler Currie of Alfred State College was once again awarded this $2,500 endowed scholarship. Provided that all qualifications are met, Tyler will receive this scholarship again during his senior year. Josam Company established this scholarship endowment to assist a student studying a major related to MCAA’s scope and with intentions of pursuing a career within the mechanical contracting industry.
Ann Mattheis Memorial Scholarship
Breyden Lane of Washington State University was awarded a $2,500 scholarship in memory of the former MCAA Director of Career Development, Ann Mattheis. Ann’s dedication and contributions to building the GreatFutures program left an enduring legacy for multiple decades of students and for the overall members of MCAA.
Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarships
Milton Eugenio Romero of Fairleigh Dickinson University and Gabriella Siden of the University of Maryland, College Park each received a $2,500 scholarship check in memory of Alan P. O’Shea, former Executive Director of the MCA of New Jersey. The scholarship is sponsored by the MCA of New Jersey.
Ferguson – Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarships
Shelby Gustafson from California State University, Chico and Jill Kennicott from Bradley University each received a $5,000 scholarship, sponsored by Ferguson, to recognize two worthy female students who are invested in a career in the mechanical contracting industry. The two students will also be invited to attend the WiMI Conference in Coronado, CA this June.
Robert T. Armistead Memorial Scholarships
Cole McClure of Kansas State University and Jake Prout of Kent State University both received a $5,000 scholarship in memory of Robert “Bob” Armistead. In honor of Bob’s service as MCAA President, the selected winners are required to have served in the role as their local student chapter president. These scholarships were established by Armistead Mechanical, Inc. and the Family of Robert T. Armistead.
William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Kathryn Murnane of Virginia Tech received a $5,000 scholarship check in memory of a former President of the foundation and MCAA Distinguished Service Award (DSA) recipient, William A. “Bill” Bianco, Jr. The scholarship is sponsored by Exential.
Bolton Family Scholarship
Missy Meigs of Pittsburg State University was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to honor the significant contributions the Boltons have provided to the construction industry. This scholarship honors the family’s dedicated volunteer work within the communities they serve in Rhode Island, notably their efforts in aiding children from Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking backgrounds in mastering the English language within the school system and their improvements with the Ronald McDonald House. The scholarship embodies the values of service, community engagement and support for those in need that have been integral to the Bolton family’s legacy.
Donald V. Brown Memorial Scholarship
Brock Golden from Ferris State University is the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by D.V. Brown and Associates, Inc., and in memory of its founder, Donald V. Brown, Senior.
DEWALT Patriot Scholarships
The DEWALT Patriot Scholarship, now in its fifth year, was created to recognize two veterans of the United States military who have valiantly served their country and have chosen to pursue a career related to mechanical contracting. Thank you to DEWALT for honoring our military and to our scholarship recipients for their service. Luis Mazariegos of California State University, East Bay (United States Marine Corps – Combat Engineer, 1371) and Jeff Woodard of the University of Nebraska (United States Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class- Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist at 2nd Marine Division) each received a $5,000 scholarship.
EVAPCO, Inc. Engineering Scholarships
Madison Deck of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Lilyanna Saupan from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona both received a $5,000 scholarship. EVAPCO, Inc. designed this scholarship to recognize students whose goal is to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering, or a field of study relevant to mechanical contracting / equipment manufacturing that supports the mechanical industry.
Finding Your “GreatFuture” Scholarship
This new $5,000 scholarship was presented to Will Pedersen from California State University, Chico. The scholarship was established to academically assist a student as they pursue finding their “GreatFuture” in the mechanical contracting industry. There’s a place for everyone in mechanical, and MCAA is committed to developing programming and resources for the next generation of industry leaders ready to find their future employment home.
Rick and Debbie Gopffarth Mechanical Construction Endowed Scholarship
Rileigh Manuel from Pittsburg State University received a $5,000 check for this newly established scholarship. Rick Gopffarth served as the 2024-2025 MCAA President. Following his presidency, both he and Debbie desired to give back to the community that gave them so much and established this scholarship to support the next generation of mechanical construction students. Rick is a firm believer that success comes from strong partnerships, good customers and the value of higher education. Together, Rick and Debbie believe this scholarship will encourage students who share their values to select mechanical for their career path and assist them with building a meaningful career in the industry.
Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Gianna Delucia from Kent State University received a $5,000 scholarship check in memory of the founder of our foundation, Foster McCarl, Jr.
Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship
Lily Lubs from Alfred State College received a scholarship check for $5,000 to commemorate the memory of the John W. Danforth leadership, the Reilly Family. Danforth is a charter member of the MCAA. Kevin “Duke” Reilly served as Danforth’s Chairman/ CEO. Wayne, Patrick and Emmett Reilly contributed a combined 128 years of commitment and loyalty to their company and the industry. This national scholarship symbolizes the Reillys’ many contributions to the mechanical contracting industry.
Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship
Brooks Scheelk of Pittsburg State University received a $5,000 check for a scholarship that was developed to recognize a student who is not only interested in mechanical contracting, but specifically someone with an interest in being a mechanical estimator upon graduation. Recipients of this scholarship are also required to be a Student Chapter Competition first-round participant. Likewise, Trimble annually donates complimentary use of Trimble Estimation MEP and Trimble AutoBid for the MCAA student chapter competition teams to utilize while preparing their proposals.
Tyfoom “Become More” Scholarship
Joe Robertson of Ball State University was the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Tyfoom. This new scholarship was established to empower the next generation of leaders dedicated to improving culture, safety and engagement in the workplace. The scholarship reflects Tyfoom’s mission to help individuals become more and reach their potential – through consistent communication, training and accountability. This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to becoming more every day – continually striving to improve themselves, their teams, and the world around them.
Viega Scholarship
Braidyn Hudson of Indiana State University was the recipient of a $5,000 scholarship sponsored by Viega. Viega has graciously sponsored student chapter activities at the MCAA Convention for many years. The Viega scholarship is now in its 4th year.
Thomas J. Wanner Memorial Scholarship
Coleton Haggin of the University of Nebraska received a $5,000 scholarship check in honor of the former MCA/MSCA of Cleveland Executive Director Thomas J. Wanner. Thomas focused on labor relations, collective bargaining, education and training, legislation, codes and business operations for over three decades. This scholarship is sponsored by MCA/MSCA of Cleveland.
Educator of the Year
Jonathan Bluey, faculty advisor for Virginia Tech, was recognized as the 2025-2026 Educator of the Year. He was selected for this honor based on his mentoring, mechanical industry knowledge, chapter activity participation, and involvement in the creation of student-focused networking opportunities with local mechanical contractors through their MCAA Affiliated Association, MCA of Metropolitan Washington, Inc. In addition to a trophy, he received a $5,000 award.
Student Chapter of the Year
California State University, Chico was selected as the 2025-2026 Student Chapter of the Year. Their faculty advisor is Marie Patterson and their MCAA Affiliated Association is Northern California MCA. The Career Development Committee selected the winner based on a rubric that evaluates industry-specific educational opportunities, fundraising and community service efforts, recruitment tactics, and most importantly, mechanical contracting interest. The chapter at California State University, Chico received a trophy and a $10,000 award.
MCAA Student Chapter Competition
Indiana State University won the top prize of $10,000 and a trophy for their outstanding work on this year’s Student Chapter Competition project, the “MCAA Waterpark” in Florida. This included the completion of all aquatic plumbing and any other work related to completing the project, as described in the bid documents. The teams were also tasked with purchasing the HVAC equipment and materials, and providing all necessary labor and construction equipment to complete the entire project scope.
MCAA thanks DEWALT for sponsoring the prizes for the Student Chapter Competition.
It is also with gratitude that we thank Helm Group for supplying the project and to our project partners Procore, Trimble and Ferguson for supplying real-life learning resources to the student participants.
California State University, Chico was the runner-up, placing second and receiving a trophy and a check for $5,000.
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Missouri State University rounded out the final four. Each of these Honorable Mention finalists received trophies and $2,500. Honorable mentions are listed in alphabetical order.
Six additional teams that just missed the final four were recognized with Merit Trophies and checks for $1,000. They are, in alphabetical order:
- Binghamton University
- Bradley University
- Illinois State University
- McMaster University
- University of Manitoba
- Utica University
Most Valuable Presenter
The Career Development Committee recognized a student who did the best job presenting their proposal, whether or not their team won. The audience members voted via a polling link between Final Four presentations and ultimately Braidyn Hudson of Indiana State University was awarded a trophy, a $500 gift card, a complimentary seat in MCAA’s Preparatory Institute for Project Management (Pre-IPM), and the title of 2025-2026 Most Valuable Presenter.
Student Chapter Charter
MCAA is proud of the substantial investments that all of us are making to further the education of the outstanding students represented in our student chapters. One new chapter was chartered during the Closing General Session at MCAA26.
University of Missouri–St. Louis is sponsored by MCA of Eastern Missouri, Inc. and their faculty advisor is George Nnanna, Ph.D., P.E., ASME Fellow.
Congratulations to all MCAA26 award winners and scholarship recipients!
Interested in providing a scholarship at MCAA27? Contact JRGF Executive Director, Sean McGuire (smcguire@mcaa.org) for additional details.
