$50,000 in College Scholarship Grants
Ten Scholars from the Hudson Valley Region were Named Recipients
TARRYTOWN, NY—As part of its mission to improve the building and construction industry sectors, the Construction Advancement Institute (CAI) recently awarded $50,000 in grants to 10 regional undergraduate students who are enrolled in engineering, architecture, construction technology, construction management, or other related programs this fall. CAI is the educational and advocacy organization aligned with the Building Contractors Association (BCA).
The CAI Scholarship Committee met late last month online to announce the winners. CAI Chairman Mark Fante of Darante Construction Ltd. of Elmsford, N.Y., presented 10, $5,000 grants to students for use in the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year.
“The money our industry raises and disburses for college scholarships is one of several annual charity efforts performed by members of organized labor and construction contracting companies for the community throughout the lower Hudson Valley,” Mr. Fante said. “Our goal is to strengthen the ranks of engineers and technologists employed in the region, to help keep our local economies competitive and growing.”
Since its inception in 2009, the CAI Scholarship Program has awarded 71 grants to 43 students who have attended 32 colleges and universities throughout the U.S. This year’s grant award of $50,000 brings the total scholarship awards to $285,000 over the past 12 years.
The following scholarship awardees were chosen from more than two dozen applicants and were judged by the CAI Scholarship Committee:
Nicola Mario Altomare, 20, of Yonkers is a junior who attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. He is the grandson of a member of the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1 NY. He is also a recipient of a CAI Scholarship in 2018 and 2019.
Jake Badick, 20, of Congers, NY is a junior who attends the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. He is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. He is an employee of the BCA member company, Peter Gisondi & Co., Inc.
Anthony Cappello, 21, of Mohegan Lake, NY, is a senior who attends the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, and is pursuing a degree in construction management. He is an employee of Calgi Construction Company, Inc. located in White Plains. Anthony is also a recipient of a CAI scholarship in 2019.
Massimo Fante, 18, of Sleepy Hollow, NY, is an incoming freshman studying biological sciences at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He is the son of Mark Fante of Darante Construction Ltd., a BCA-member company.
Andrew J. Griffin, 21, of Yonkers, NY is a senior who attends New York State University at Buffalo. He is pursuing a degree in architecture and is the son of Lisa Griffin and nephew of Vincent Romagnoli of the BCA-member company, Yonkers Contracting Co., Inc. He is also a recipient of a 2017, 2018 and 2019 CAI Scholarship award.
Mark J. Griffin, 18, of Yonkers, NY, is an incoming freshman attending New York State University at Buffalo. He is pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering. He is the son of Lisa Griffin and nephew of Vincent Romangnoli of the BCA-member company Yonkers Contracting Co., Inc.
Timothy R. Kohany, 35, of Thornwood, NY, attends Manhattan College, Bronx, NY. He is pursuing a degree in civil engineering. He is the son of a member of Carpenters Local 279.
Giuliana Piazza, 18, Valhalla, NY, is an incoming freshman attending Ohio State University, Columbus, OH where she is majoring in chemical engineering. She is the daughter of John Piazza, a BCA member company, Piazza, Inc.
Albert C. Rossi, 22, of Patterson, NY is a senior attending Manhattan College in Riverdale, NY. He is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. He is the son of a member of the Operating Engineers L.U. 137. He is a recipient of the CAI Scholarship awards in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Anthony Sanseverino, 19, of LaGrangeville, NY, is a sophomore attending the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. He is pursuing a degree in civil engineering and is the son of a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 137. He is also a recipient of a 2019 CAI Scholarship award.
 Nicola Mario Altomare |
 Jake Badick |
 Anthony Cappello |
 Massimo Fante |
 Andrew J. Griffin |
 Mark J. Griffin |
 Timothy R. Kohane |
 Giuliana Piazza |
 Albert C. Rossi |
 Anthony Sanseverino |