Congratulations to Aidan Wolownik, the 2023-2024 recipient of the Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship, which honors the late owners (Wayne, Patrick, and Emmett Reilly) of the John W. Danforth Company, one of the preeminent and charter members of MCAA.
One of many magical moments during the MCAA24 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Orlando was when Kevin “Duke” Reilly stood next to his Danforth colleague, MCAA President Robert Beck, to present this annual scholarship.
Later in the awards ceremony, Robert shared the stage with Andrew Palcan, MCAA Career Development Committee Chair, who received this same scholarship from Robert Beck eight years ago, also in Orlando. The stage was certainly full of excitement and pride during this award!
FLASHBACK to the MCAA16 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Orlando, FL – Pictured: Mark Rogers (JRGF President), Andrew Palcan (Recipient), Robert Beck (John W. Danforth Company), Steve Dawson (MCAA President)
Andrew, Robert and the team at Danforth share an enthusiasm for full circle moments and hope to see this year’s recipient of the Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship follow through with his quote below and end up on the convention stage for his own magical flashback moment.
MCAA24 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Orlando, FL – Pictured: Andrew Palcan (Career Development Committee Chair) and Robert Beck (MCAA President)
Aidan is a Construction Management major at Pittsburg State University with an anticipated graduation of May 2025. He is an active member of his student chapter and has served as both the Fundraising Chair and President (two terms). This summer, he is interning with MCAA Member, P1 Construction.
“The thing that’s most appealing about mechanical is all the coordination that takes place. From the fabrication shop to the project site, everyone is always making things smooth and I hope to see this process in action as I intern over the summer.
What I’ve gained the most from my involvement with MCAA is the networking with other schools and contractor members. I have really come a long way to get out of my shell when talking to other people. I plan to stay involved after I graduate and attend national conferences and hope to get on the MCAA Board so I’m able to donate back time and resources for a scholarship to help other students learn about the mechanical industry.”
MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Aidan on this prestigious scholarship and thank the John W. Danforth Company for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.
