JRGF underwrites several student chapter grants and awards as part of its support for the MCAA Career Development Initiative. This is yet another component of JRGF’s commitment to funding the mechanical contracting industry’s most critical human resource needs.
- Student Chapter of the Year Award
- Educator of the Year Award
- Emerging Chapter Grants
- Attendance Scholarships
Student Chapter of the Year Award
Award Description
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.
Award Eligibility
Those eligible for this award are chartered students chapters or chapters designated to be chartered at the next MCAA convention.
Nominations for 2025-2026 are now closed.
Please check back on September 18, 2026 for the 2026-2027 form.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
| Year | Student Chapter of the Year Award Recipients |
|---|---|
| 2001-2002 | University of Nebraska |
| 2002-2003 | Ferris State University |
| 2003-2004 | Purdue University |
| 2004-2005 | Purdue University |
| 2005-2006 | Purdue University |
| 2006-2007 | University of Wisconsin-Stout |
| 2007-2008 | Purdue University |
| 2008-2009 | Ferris State University |
| 2009-2010 | Illinois State University |
| 2010-2011 | Ferris State University |
| 2011-2012 | Illinois State University |
| 2012-2013 | Purdue University |
| 2013-2014 | Kennesaw State University |
| 2014-2015 | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
| 2015-2016 | University Missouri-Columbia |
| 2016-2017 | University of Nebraska |
| 2017-2018 | Iowa State University |
| 2018-2019 | Pittsburg State University |
| 2019-2020 | University of Nebraska |
| 2020-2021 | University of Nebraska |
| 2021-2022 | University of Maryland, College Park |
| 2022-2023 | University of Nebraska |
| 2023-2024 | University of Maryland, College Park |
| 2024-2025 | Pittsburg State University |
Educator of the Year Award
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 for 2025-2026 are now closed.
Please check back on September 18, 2026 for the 2026-2027 form.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
| Year | Educator of the Year Recipients | University |
|---|---|---|
| 2002-2003 | Tim Wentz | University of Nebraska |
| 2003-2004 | Daryl Oath | Purdue University |
| 2004-2005 | Tim Wentz | University of Nebraska |
| 2005-2006 | Mostafa Khattab | Colorado State University |
| 2006-2007 | Greg Baker | Oregon State University |
| 2007-2008 | Keith Rahn | Illinois State University |
| 2008-2009 | Mike Feutz | Ferris State University |
| 2009-2010 | John E. Schaufelberger | University of Washington |
| 2010-2011 | Mike Feutz | Ferris State University |
| 2011-2012 | Blake Wentz | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
| 2012-2013 | Blake Wentz | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
| 2013-2014 | Daphene Koch | Purdue University |
| 2014-2015 | Maureen Weidner | Kennesaw State University |
| 2015-2016 | Blake Wentz | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
| 2016-2017 | Mostafa Khattab, Dennis Pettitt, Colorado State University | Colorado State University |
| 2017-2018 | Brad Perkins | Iowa State University |
| 2018-2019 | Blake Wentz | Milwaukee School of Engineering |
| 2019-2020 | Cristina Cosma | Wentworth Institute of Technology |
| 2020-2021 | Sherif Attallah | Ball State University |
| 2021-2022 | Jacob Nelson | Missouri State University |
| 2022-2023 | Marie Patterson | California State University, Chico |
| 2023-2024 | Joe Karpinski | Kent State University |
| 2024-2025 | Shannon Nicklaus | Pittsburg State University |
Contact MCAA’s Michele Hoffman if you have any questions.
MCAA GREATFUTURES
JRGF Student Scholarships
The John R. Gentille Foundation offers several scholarships as part of its commitment to funding the next generation of mechanical contracting leaders, providing students the opportunity to develop professional skills, knowledge and experiences.