MCAHN members fund $465,000 in scholarships

MCAHN members fund 20 $1,000-scholarships to exceptional students, who are children of salaried employees of their contractor member companies. Student scholarship recipients are ambitious in nature as they are entering or currently enrolled in universities or colleges across the world. The selection criteria include: applicants who maintained an exceptional grade average, established an outstanding commitment to their community through leadership and volunteerism, and demonstrated interest in the mechanical contracting industry or their chosen field of study. The MCA Hamilton Niagara McMaster Student Chapter $1,000 Scholarship managed by Dr. Stephen Veldhuis, Associate Professor and Director McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is also awarded. This year a tie will introduce two lucky recipients.

Education Committee Chairman/Mechanical Contractors Association Hamilton Niagara President Anthony DeChellis shares, “The selection process is governed by the Scholarship Selection Committee. A discreet judging criteria is established, where all applications are numbered. No personal or company names are revealed to the selection panel. Each panelist independently submits their selections, without knowing the choices made by other committee members. I can personally tell you, it’s a difficult process to select only twenty.” This year’s Scholarship Selection Committee involved Past Presidents, MCAHN Board of Directors and member volunteers; representatives stepping up to the task were Honourary Life Member Ron Marcotte, Past President Bill Patterson, Education Committee Chairman/Mechanical Contractors Association Hamilton Niagara President Anthony DeChellis, Contractor/Education Committee Members Jane Gowing, and Kyle Heywood.

Lorraine Waller, Past President and a Director with the Mechanical Contractors Association Hamilton Niagara presented the awards and offered words of encouragement. Thomas A. Edison once said “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” In addition, “DREAMS – It is your dreams that drive you to pursue the best life possible. So, have confidence, believe in yourself, your goals and your dreams – they are critical in reaching the heights you imagine. Keep the faith, and stay the path as you are surrounded by inspiration and support.”

As gratitude is expressed by recipients through emails and cards received by the MCA Hamilton Niagara office, DeChellis reinforces, “We’re truly proud of our long-term investment and recognize the value this program serves for every family paying student tuition fees, books costs and living expenses.”

Since the program’s inception in 1995, managed by the MCAHN Education Committee, contractor employer remittance dues have funded over $465,000 in awarded scholarships to Southern Ontario students.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients!