News

DFI Educational Trust Awards 20 Scholarships to Students Pursuing Careers in Deep Foundations 

August 10, 2018, Hawthorne N.J.:

In July, Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) Educational Trust, the charitable arm of DFI, awarded 20 scholarships totaling $52,500 to students pursuing careers in civil, and geotechnical engineering. 

Thomas J. Wysockey Civil Engineering Scholarship ($5,000 each)

  • Rocky Howard, senior, Texas A&M University
  • Martin Wallace, graduate student, University of Missouri-Columbia

 John O’Malley Civil Engineering Scholarship ($5,000)

  • Nicolet Chovancak, senior, University of South Carolina

First Francis Gularte Scholarship ($2,500)

  • Tyler Kleinsasser, senior, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Michael L. Condon Civil Engineering Scholarship ($5,000)

  • Sara Magallon, graduate student, Montana Tech

DFI Educational Trust General Scholarship ($2,000 each)

The funding for the 2018 General Scholarships came from the Charles J. Berkel Memorial Scholarship Fund.

    • Keenan Brekke, senior, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
    • Mindy Castle, senior, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
    • Hannah Covey, junior, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
    • Nicholas Duda, graduate student, University of Kentucky
    • Sarah Elder, junior, Portland State University
    • Roger Knittle, senior, Bucknell University
    • Zorana Mijic, graduate student, University of California-Berkeley
    • Deniz Ranjpour, graduate student, Tufts University
    • Brandow Rojas, senior, The New York City College of Technology
    • Angela Saade, graduate student, Virginia Tech
    • Anibal Santos, graduate student, University of Arkansas
    • Matthew Sylvain, graduate student, University of North Carolina-Charlotte
    • Forrest Walker, senior, Texas A&M University
    • Jason Wright, graduate student, University of Georgia
    • Connie Zehms, senior, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

The DFI Educational Trust manages 16 scholarship programs funded by endowments, donations and fundraising events. Since 2006, the Trust has awarded $925,000 in scholarships to more than 250 students studying at colleges and universities across the United States and the Province of Ontario, Canada.

Donations to the DFI Educational Trust scholarship funds can be made online at www.dfitrust.org.

Contact: Emilio S. Fandino, Director of Administrator, (973) 423-4030, efandino@dfi.org.

About DFI Educational Trust: The Deep Foundations Institute Educational Trust (www.dfitrust.org) is an independent, 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 2006 by the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) as its charitable arm. The mission of the Trust is to support and encourage individuals in the fields of study related to the deep foundation industry by providing scholarships and opportunities to meet and work with deep foundation industry leaders.

About Deep Foundations Institute (DFI)
DFI (www.dfi.org) is an international association of contractors, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, academics and owners in the deep foundations industry. Our multidisciplinary membership creates a consensus voice and a common vision for continual improvement in the planning, design and construction of deep foundations and excavations. We bring together members for networking, education, communication and collaboration. With our members, we promote the advancement of the deep foundations industry through technical committees, educational programs and conferences, publications, research, government relations and outreach. DFI has more than 3,500 members worldwide.
Nicolet Chovancak, senior, University of South Carolina, recipient of the John O’Malley Scholarship


Tyler Kleinsasser, senior, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, recipient of the Gularte Scholarship


Sara Magallon, graduate student, Montana Tech, recipient of the Condon Scholarship
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