The RCI-IIBEC Foundation and RCI Foundation Canada are pleased to announce that they will be providing funding for full-time college students to attend the 2024 IIBEC Convention and Trade Show, March 8-11, 2024, in Phoenix, AZ. Through the Joe Hale Student Sponsorship Fund, registration, hotel, and up to $750 USD in travel expenses are covered for students.

To qualify, an applicant must be a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours per semester) enrolled in architecture; architectural, structural, or civil engineering; construction management; building sciences; or other related areas of study. Up to 20 students are eligible to receive this funding (possibly more pending proximity to event location) with priority going to undergraduate students. No more than three students from the same university may be selected.

Sponsorship recipients will be required to:

• Attend a minimum of ten hours of educational presentations and devote three hours to the tradeshow floor

• Interact informally with assigned host, staff, committees, and the Foundation Board of Directors during the convention

• Participate in marketing efforts by sharing your experience of the convention and the knowledge gained

• Attend Foundations Auction and Reception event on Monday night, March 11.

Students interested in receiving a sponsorship should submit a completed application, a letter of recommendation from a professor or instructor, and an essay explaining their field of study and what they hope to gain by attending the 2024 IIBEC Convention and Trade Show.

An application and all supporting documentation must be received no later than Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The application can be found on the RCI-IIBEC Foundation website.

For more information about student sponsorships, please contact Foundation Development Officer Rick Gardner at Rgardner@iibec.org.

The RCI-IIBEC Foundation is excited to announce the eight winners of its 2023–2024 Robert W. Lyons and RCI Lewis W. Newlan academic scholarships. The $5000 Lyons scholarship is specifically for undergraduate education expenses for students studying construction or building sciences, architecture, or engineering. The RCI Lewis W. Newlan scholarship is for $2500 and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students—again for studies in construction or building sciences, architecture, or engineering. Altogether, the 2023–2024 scholarships total $30,000.

Scholarship winners are selected based on financial need, letters of recommendation, and the student’s request for consideration.

This year’s scholarship recipients follow.

Robert W. Lyons Scholarship Recipients

Perla Cornelio is an undergraduate studying architecture at the University of Texas-Arlington. She is from Dallas, Texas and plans on pursuing a masters in architecture.

Fatima Oriane Sow is studying architecture at the University of Virginia. She is originally from Brooklyn, NY. Her activities and awards include serving as a 2023 global summer intern at the High Atlas Foundation and recipient of the Pierre and Tana Matisse Scholarship (UNCF) 2023, the Horatio Alger 2021 National Scholarship recipient, the 2021 New York Regional Award in Scholastic Art and Writing (two Silver Keys), and the Dedalus Foundation 2021 scholarship. Her art exhibitions have included the Bronx Museum as well as the Met Museum.

Juan Perez from Aurora, Nebraska, is studying mechanical and civil engineering at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska. Perez is active with Delta Kappa Pi as vice-president, the Entrepreneurship Club president, Doane University Football, Aurora Legion Baseball coach, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and the Cardinal Key Honor Society.

Tyler Seiwert

Tyler Seiwert is an undergraduate studying construction management at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Seiwert is from Wichita, Kansas, and pursues extracurricular interests in physical fitness and automotive repair.

RCI Lewis W. Newlan Recipients

Cesar Bedolla Hurtado from East Wenatchee, Washington, is a master in civil engineering student at Washington State University. He is a member of ASCE, past president of the WSU American Society of Civil Engineers, and team captain of the Design Build Institute of America.

Hannah Power

Hannah Power from Newark, Delaware, is completing her doctorate in structural engineering at the University of Delaware. Power is active with Engineers in Action, Engineers without Borders, and American Society of Civil Engineers.

Marcus Puste is from Taylor, Michigan, and is completing his master in architecture at the University of Detroit-Mercy. His interests include fabrication, living building design, furniture design, and music composition. Additionally, Puste serves as a School of Architecture + Community Development Shop assistant for the Material Investigation Lab and as graphic design director of the Dichotomy Student Journal.

Caleb Springfield

Caleb Springfield is a master’s student in architecture at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. Springfield, from Rogers, Minnesota, is an assistant director for Freedom By Design and a member of NOMAS (National Organization of Men Against Sexism),

Since these scholarships were established in 2018, the foundation has donated $185,000 to support 52 students. Thanks to all the foundation donors who made these scholarships possible. Donations continue to be accepted to support both scholarship funds. For more information, visit the foundation’s website at https://rci-iibecfoundation.org/donate.aspx or contact Foundations Development Officer Rick Gardner at 919-859-0742 or rgardner@iibec.org.