EDUCATIONAL TRUST A Message from the Chair The year 2015 ended with the Trust having assets in excess of $2.7 million, a 17% increase from the end of 2014. Similarly, there was a 13% increase in the total scholarship dollars that were awarded, from $99,500 in 2014 to $112,000 in 2015. We thank all of our contributors and event sponsors for making this possible. The Trust’s scholarships provide signifi- cant financial support to our student recipients so they can realize their dream of completing their undergraduate or graduate civil engineering education. College costs continue to rise dramatically, and so does the level of debt students take on in order to meet these costs. It is estimated that at least 70% of all college students graduate with debt and that the average indebtedness is nearly $30,000, a terrible burden for some- one who is just starting his or her career. We therefore ask you to help us with our efforts by making a personal donation* to the Trust. Any amount you donate will help to make a difference. Americans are a very generous people, donating over $300 billion per year to nonprofits. It is interesting to note that 70% of these contribu- tions are from individuals. You can make your donation online by visiting the Trust’s website at www.dfitrust.org. Also, be sure to review the Trust’s 2015 Annual Report, which was mailed with this issue of Deep Foundations magazine or online at www.dfitrust.org. Scholarship Ceremony On April 2, Rudy Frizzi of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services and member of the DFI Educational Trust Board, attended the annual scholarship ceremony of the College of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. On behalf M. Byrl Williams, P.E., Chair [email protected] of the Trust, Rudy presented one of the awards from the Charles Berkel Memorial Scholarship to Mingjia Zhong. The two other recipients of the Berkel Scholarship, Nana Ochiai and Cooper Tonachel, are studying abroad this spring and were unable to attend the ceremony. Frizzi also presented the Langan/ Dennis J. Leary Memorial Scholarship to Mark Abtahi. In addition, Frizzi presented a scholarship, which he funds personally, to Andony Landivar-Macias. Thank You Donors The following people recently made dona- tions to the DFI Educational Trust Michael L. Condon Scholarship Fund: Stephen Condon and Katherine Condon To read more about scholarship funds and to donate, visit www.dfitrust.org. L to R: Rudy Frizzi, Mingjia Zhong, Mark Abtahi and Andony Landivar-Macias “Your scholarship means a great deal to me both financially and emotionally. From hard work comes success, and receiving this scholarship has motivated me even more to continue in my studies and strive for the best until graduation and on into my career as a civil engineer.” Preston Fittro, Auburn University, Alabama “I would like to greatly thank you from the bottom of my heart because if it was not for donors like yourself, a college education like this would be but a dream for many students who come from low-income families, like myself.” Rodrigo Tenteria, University of California – Berkeley “Your scholarship will be of great help to me in paying my educational expenses, and it will allow me to concentrate more of my time on studying.” Nana Ochiai, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign * The DFI Educational Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your contribution is tax- deductible to the extent permitted by law. Upcoming Events August 11, 2016 DFI Educational Trust and ACE Mentor Program of New Jersey Annual Golf Outing Royce Brook Golf Club Hillsborough, N.J. August 27, 2016 DFI Educational Trust Sporting Clay and Skeet Shoot Competition Fundraiser Oak Creek Sporting Club Brainard, Neb. (outside Omaha) October 24, 2016 Annual California Golf Outing Fundraiser Castlewood Country Club Pleasanton, Calif. November 3, 2016 DFI Educational Trust Gala Fundraising Dinner Terrace On The Park Flushing, N.Y. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JULY/AUG 2016 • 57
