2019 Recipients

Construction Advancement Institute Awards
$45,000 in College Scholarship Grants

Nine Area Scholars Named Recipients

TARRYTOWN, NY–As part of its mission to spur improvements to the building and construction industry sectors, the Westchester County-based Construction Advancement Institute (CAI) recently awarded $45,000 in grants to undergraduate students enrolled to study engineering, architecture, construction technology, construction management or related subjects this fall.

On July 10, the CAI Scholarship Committee presented nine students $5,000 grants toward the 2019-20 academic year at an awards luncheon near its headquarters in Tarrytown, NY.

The scholarship awards from CAI, which is the educational and advocacy component organization aligned with the Building Contractors Association (BCA), were announced by CAI Chairman Mark Fante of Darante Construction, Ltd., of Elmsford, NY.
“The money our industry raises and disburses for college scholarships is one of several charitable efforts performed jointly by members of organized labor and construction contracting companies for the community each year,” 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.”

The nine students were chosen from more than two dozen applicants and were judged by the CAI Scholarship Committee. The winners are:

Nicola Mario Altomare, 19, of Yonkers is a sophomore 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.

Justin Campbell, 20, of Geneseo, NY, is a junior who attends Alfred State College of Technology in Alfred, NY, pursuing a degree in construction management. He is the son of an associate of the BCA-member company LeChase Construction based in Armonk, NY.

Anthony Cappello, 20, of Mohegan Lake, NY, is a junior who attends University of Florida in Gainesville, pursuing a degree in construction management. He is an employee of Calgi Construction Company, Inc., located in White Plains.

Pat Fortunato, 21, of Fairfield, CT is a senior who attends Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, and is pursuing a degree in computer science. He is the son of a member of the Operating Engineers L.U. 137.

Andrew J. Griffin, 20, of Yonkers is a junior who attends New York State University at Buffalo. He is pursuing a degree in architecture and is the son of an associate of the BCA-member company Yonkers Contracting Co., Inc.

Michael Marciante, 20, of New Rochelle, NY is a junior attending the SUNY Albany and is pursuing a degree in accounting & business administration. He is the son of an employee of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters NY affiliated with Carpenters L.U. 279.

Albert C. Rossi, 21, of Patterson, NY is a junior 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.

Andrew R. Rossi, 19, of Patterson, NY is a sophomore attending SUNY/Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY, pursuing a degree in business management. He is the son of a member of Operating Engineers L.U. 137.

Anthony Sanseverino, 20, of LaGrangeville, NY is a freshman who will be attending Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, pursuing a degree in civil engineering. He is the son of a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers L.U. 137 employed with ECCO III Enterprises, Inc.

The BCA/CAI program offers scholarships of $5,000 each to currently enrolled or college-bound students who qualify. Scholarships are available for family members of companies that are members of the BCA as well as non-BCA-member independent contractors that contribute to qualifying industry advancement funds. Applications will also be accepted from eligible students who are related to the members of the following building construction union locals: Bricklayers L.U. 1NY, Carpenters L.U. 279, Laborers L.U. 235 and Operating Engineers L.U. 137.

Applications will be available online next spring for grants for the 2020-21 academic year on the organization’s website, www.caiwestchester.org.
Since its inception, the BCA/CAI College Scholarship Program has awarded more than $250,000 to help more than three dozen students throughout the Hudson Valley region attend undergraduate institutions across the country. Its affiliated organization, the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley, Inc., also offers college grants for the children of employees of companies that are members of the CIC.

For additional information or an application please contact Laurel Brunelle at (914) 631-1033 or laurel@bcanys.org.


Front row seated, from left: Anthony Cappello, Nicola Mario Altomare, Justin Campbell, Andrew J. Griffin and Anthony Sanseverino. Standing, from left: Scholarship Committee and BCA board member Dominic Calgi, Andrew R. Rossi, CAI Chairman Mark Fante, Michael Marciante, BCA Program Director Laurel Brunelle, BCA President Ross J. Pepe, Albert C. Rossi, BCA/CAI scholarship committee and board member Jay Martino, BCA Chairman Fred Sciliano, BCA Executive Director Matthew Pepe. (Not pictured, scholarship winner Pat Fortunato.)

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