ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Roofing Alliance, the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), announced the opening of the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program for the 2021-22 academic year.
The Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program began in 1986 to fund education for employees, their spouses and their dependent children of NRCA contractor and supplier members who plan to pursue careers in the roofing or construction industries. The program is named for Melvin Kruger, a former NRCA president, a former Roofing Alliance president and CEO of L.E. Schwartz & Son Inc., Macon, Ga. who is recognized not only as a great industry leader, but also as a person who has devoted much of his life to the cause of education.
A maximum of 11 recipients will each receive a $5,000 award that is renewable for up to three years of undergraduate study if they meet eligibility requirements. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic record; potential to succeed; leadership and participation in school and community activities; honors; work experience; a statement of career goals and aspirations; and an outside appraisal.
The named $5,000 scholarships awarded through the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program are: Beacon Roofing Supply Inc.; Dan Cohen; Firestone Building Products (two scholarships); Fred Good; William A. Good; Jim and Suzanne MacKimm; Melvin Kruger; and OMG Roofing Products Inc. (two scholarships).
In its second year, the Accredited Career Technical Education Scholarship is also available to help fund students pursuing an education at a vocational or technical trade school. It is designed to help those who are seeking a professional career inside the roofing industry including but not limited to roof system and sheet metal installers/fabricators, crane and equipment operators, foremen and superintendents, warehouse and inventory specialists, and other roofing trade specialties. This Accredited Career Technical Education scholarship is not designed for those careers that require a four-year undergraduate degree.
There will be a maximum of five recipients who will be eligible to receive a $1,000 award that is not renewable, but winners are eligible to apply again the following year. Reid and DeaNa Ribble provided named scholarships for the Accredited Career Technical Education opportunity.
“Since the program began, a total of 131 students have received $890,000 in scholarship awards,” said Kyle Thomas, owner of Thomas Roofing and current president of the Roofing Alliance. “Supporting students who are interested in careers in the roofing industry ensures that the future of the industry remains strong. Contributions to the program are always encouraged.”
To learn more about the Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship Program or to download the application, please visit www.roofingalliance.net or contact Bennett Judson, the Roofing Alliance’s executive director, at bjudson@roofingalliance.net. Applications must be postmarked by 3 p.m. (CST) no later than Jan. 28, 2021.
