Nexstar® Legacy Foundation
Scholarships Announced

The Nexstar Legacy Foundation announced its 2010-2011 scholarship award winners during the Nexstar’s Owners’ Spotlight Series in Clearwater Beach, FL, March 20th. (http://contractingbusiness.com/news/nexstar_spotlight_series_bob_prosen_0409/).

Seven students will receive scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $6,000, to pursue education in preparation for careers within the plumbing, HVAC and electrical industry.

“The mission of the Nexstar Legacy Foundation is to give back to an industry that has been so good to us,” said Scholarship Committee Chair Julie Wieman of MacGregor Plumbing & Heating of Harbor Springs, MI.

Scholarships are awarded based upon merit, chosen by a scholarship selection committee comprised of industry leaders inside and outside of Nexstar. The scholarship program is the major gifting program of the Foundation, which annually gifts double the federal requirement. The largest annual award is the Frank Blau, Jr. Award of $6,000.

Since its inception, the Nexstar Legacy Foundation has awarded more than $84,000 in scholarship grants in only four short years. Inspired by the foundation’s co-founder Frank Blau, Board Chair John Ward of Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric of Denver, CO, said, “I give to the Foundation because the education Frank Blau gave me raised me from poverty to prosperity.”

This year, 150 high school, college students and industry professionals applied for this year’s scholarships that were funded through the Legacy Foundation by individual and company donations.

“The goal is to continue to build visibility for the program and to increase fundraising among members of Nexstar, while also reaching out to non-members,” Wieman said.

For more information on the Nexstar Legacy Foundation or to make a donation, go to nexstarfoundation.org or contact Renee Cardarelle at 651/789-8518 or info@nexstarfoundation.org.

Nexstar Legacy Foundation Scholarship Award Winners

• Apprenticeship ($1,000): James Fingerman, San Diego, CA Thomas Edison State College Sponsored by Anderson Plumbing, Heating and Cooling El Cajon, CA
• Technical College ($2,000): Kal Gossett, Corning, NY Lincoln Technical Institute; Lincoln Deitrick, Zanesville, OH, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Four-Year College ($3,000): Sarah Masters, Allendale, NJ (school unconfirmed), sponsored by Martin Masters Plumbing Midland Park, NJ; Graham Thurber, Topeka, KS, Washburn University; Jesse Thornburg, Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Frank Blau, Jr. Award ($6,000): Andrew Deckert , Green Bay, WI, Michigan Technological University, sponsored by Drucks, Menasha, WI