The Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV) Scholarship Foundation has awarded $38,000 in scholarships to West Virginia college students pursuing careers in construction and engineering.
Scholarships were awarded based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, work experience, financial need and interest in the construction industry. CAWV also awarded the first recipients of the Phil Weser Scholarship, the Mattingly Family Scholarship and the Ron and Linda Spradling Benchmark Construction Scholarship. The Scholarship Foundation board of directors named these awards in honor of industry giants who dedicated their professional lives to the betterment of the industry and the academic and financial support of the next generation.
Nicholas Rogers, a Marshall civil engineering student, has been named the 2026 top scholarship recipient, receiving an $8,000 award. Rogers, who placed first in this year's scholarship selection, has demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership and a strong commitment to the construction industry. At the CAWV State Meeting held on March 26, 2026, Rogers expressed his gratitude for the scholarship and the support of the CAWV Scholarship Foundation.
"I want to thank CAWV for its continued support of young engineering students as they grow into the next generation of leaders and innovators," Rogers said. "On a personal note, as someone who has only recently begun to call West Virginia home, the relationships I've built with leaders in the association have been truly invaluable."
Currently enrolled in Marshall's engineering program, Rogers began pursuing his degree just days after the birth of his son, driven by a desire to expand his technical expertise and make a greater impact in his community. A decorated U.S. Army veteran, he brings extensive leadership experience managing large-scale projects and teams.
In addition to Rogers, the Foundation awarded $30,000 in additional scholarships to eight outstanding students. Scholarship recipients included:
• Nora Segura, West Virginia University Institute of Technology — Phil Weser Scholarship;
• Madalynn Clayton, West Virginia University — Mattingly Family Scholarship;
• Grayson Maddox, Marshall University — Ron and Linda Spradling Benchmark Construction Scholarship;
• Kevin Flores, West Virginia State University;
• Cole Goldizen, Marshall University;
• Reagan Knabenshue, Fairmont State University;
• Dawson Price, Fairmont State University; and
• Allison Schuck, West Virginia University.
"The CAWV Scholarship Foundation received an outstanding pool of applicants this year," said Jason Hunter, Scholarship Foundation chairman. "Each student we interviewed demonstrated impressive academic records and strong leadership abilities, with some already gaining hands-on experience in the industry. Their dedication to education is evident, and each of them will uniquely contribute to our collective goals of building a better West Virginia."
CAWV is the state's largest full-service construction trade association representing more than 500 member companies in the building, highway and utility construction industry. CAWV is the state chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.
For more information, visit cawv.org
