The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) continues to grow support for students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry by opening applications for a record-breaking $105,000 in individual student scholarships. These 24 scholarships will be presented at MCAA26 in Phoenix, AZ during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast.
To be eligible, students must be an active participant of an MCAA Student Chapter, working towards an undergraduate degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, HVAC or another similar field; and most importantly, have an interest in pursuing a career in mechanical contracting, as demonstrated through activities and employment. Some scholarships have additional requirements.
Applications are due November 5th.
JRGF and its generous donors are proud to present the following 2026 scholarships:
| Scholarship Name | Donated By |
| Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship (x2) | MCA of New Jersey |
| Ann Mattheis Memorial Scholarship | MCAA Career Development Committee |
| ATP Inspiring Future Leaders Scholarship | ATP Learning Solutions |
| Bolton Family Scholarship | The Bolton Family |
| DEWALT Patriot Scholarship (x2) | DEWALT |
| Donald V. Brown, Sr. Memorial Scholarship | D.V. Brown & Associates |
| EVAPCO, Inc. Engineering Scholarship (x2) | EVAPCO, Inc. |
| Ferguson Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarship (x2) | Ferguson |
| Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship | The McCarl Family |
| Geiling Family Scholarship | The Geiling Family |
| Josam Endowed Scholarship (3-year scholarship) | Josam Company |
| Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship | John W. Danforth Company |
| Rick and Debbie Gopffarth Mechanical Construction Endowed Scholarship | Rick and Debbie Gopffarth |
| Robert T. Armistead Memorial Scholarship (x2) | Armistead Mechanical Inc. and the family of Robert T. Armistead |
| Robert J. Durr, Sr. – UA / NCPWB Partnering Scholarship | NCPWB |
| Thomas J. Wanner Memorial Scholarship | MCA/ MSCA of Cleveland |
| Trimble Future Estimator Scholarship | Trimble |
| Viega Scholarship | Viega |
| William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship | Kinetics |
Student Chapter of the Year and Educator of the Year nominations are also now open and due on November 5th.
Chapter of the Year Award
The Student Chapter of the Year Award recognizes an MCAA student chapter for outstanding achievement as an organization of students who are planning careers in the mechanical construction industry. The $10,000 award recognizes exceptional achievement in governance and leadership, membership recruiting, fundraising, community involvement and career development.
Nominations must be completed by the Student Chapter President or another student leader in the chapter.
Previous Recipients
- 2025 – Pittsburg State
- 2024 – University of Maryland, College Park
- 2023 – University of Nebraska
- 2022 – University of Maryland, College Park
- 2021 – University of Nebraska
- 2020 – University of Nebraska
- 2019 – Pittsburg State University
- 2018 – Iowa State University
- 2017 – University of Nebraska
- 2016 – University of Missouri-Columbia
Educator of the Year
The Educator of the Year Award recognizes MCAA student chapter faculty advisors for serving as advisors, educators, and mentors of students who plan to develop a professional career with the mechanical construction industry. This $5,000 award honors the involvement and engagement of our industry’s academic leaders.
Nominations must be from the Student Chapter President or another student leader in the chapter, or an Industry Advisor for the chapter. Peer-to-peer faculty advisor nominations will not be accepted.
Previous Recipients
- 2025 – Shannon Nicklaus (Pittsburg State University)
- 2024 – Joe Karpinski (Kent State University)
- 2023 – Marie Patterson (California State University, Chico)
- 2022 – Jacob Nelson (Missouri State University)
- 2021 – Sherif Attallah (Ball State University)
- 2020 – Cristina Cosma (Wentworth Institute of Technology)
- 2019 – Blake Wentz (Milwaukee School of Engineering)
- 2018 – Brad Perkins (Iowa State University)
- 2017 – Mostafa Khattab, Dennis Pettitt (Colorado State University)
- 2016 – Blake Wentz (Milwaukee School of Engineering)
Visit MCAA’s Career Development Initiative page to learn more about student chapter programming or the JRGF website to explore the work JRGF is doing to further education in the mechanical industry.
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