Scholarships Available for Higher Education

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

The Davis Memorial Foundation is awarding scholarships for $5,000 EACH this year!

Every year, the Davis Memorial Foundation, with the support of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), awards scholarships to individuals who are interested in furthering their education.  Due to the generous support and contributions from WSRCA members, scholarships of $5,000 EACH are being awarded to students this year.

Formed in 1974, the WSRCA is a non-profit regional association of roofing, roof deck, and waterproofing contractors and industry related associate members.  This association was established to preserve and promote the roofing industry in the western region. The association’s close and frequent contact with members and its programs and services are vital to the successful operation of member companies.  WSRCA’s purpose is to provide assistance to enable its members to operate successfully and competitively.

Since 1997, the Davis Memorial Foundation has been supporting higher education.  This foundation was established in memory of Larry and Mary Davis to honor their support for industry education.  On their way home from a WSRCA board meeting, they perished in an airplane accident near their home in Modesto, California.  Larry was involved in the roofing industry for numerous years and served on the boards of multiple roofing industry associations, including the Roofing Contractors Association of California and the Western States Roofing Contractors Association.

The Davis Memorial Foundation shares, “Larry and Mary Davis personified the heart and spirit of the roofing industry community.  Committed to supporting the professional standing of roofing contractors, Larry promoted high standards and believed that a well-educated membership was key to the industry’s future success.”  The Foundation’s mission is to support higher education, particularly as it relates to the development of a well-educated construction industry.  

The requirements for these scholarships aren’t easy.  Applicants must submit letters of recommendation from teachers and mentors, official transcripts from high schools or universities, and a written application.  Applications must be submitted by April 10, 2020.  

Scholarship candidates must be one of the following: high school students, undergraduate, graduate students, students of technical or vocational trade school, or provisionally accepted as students into undergraduate or graduate degree programs for the coming years.  Schools should be accredited colleges, universities, or vocational education programs. Additionally, candidates should be affiliated with the roofing industry and should be residents of states covered in the WSRCA service area, including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

According to the Davis Memorial Foundation, scholarship recipients will be selected based on their scholastic achievement, extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership, financial need, references, awards and honors, community involvement, employment or volunteer experience, industry affiliations, unique life experiences, and anticipated course of study.  Scholarship award winners will be announced and presented at the Western Roofing Expo, the WSRCA Annual Convention.  

The Davis Memorial Foundation awarded ten $5,000 scholarships to the following students for a grand total of $50,000 for the 2018-2019 academic year!

• Tyler Kleinsasser | South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

• Megan Ellsworth | University of Colorado at Denver

• Sharon McClean | Portland Community College

• Allisandra Kuni | Scappoose High School

• Riley Warren | Santa Rosa Junior College

• Salvador Garcia | University of California Berkeley

• Stephanie Altpeter | Bellevue University

• Riley Hansen | Sunset High School

• Jaeden Barker | Menlo Atherton High School

• Ruby Hayes | Vintage High School

The Davis Memorial Foundation wants to assist those interested in higher education.  The scholarship they offer is an amazing opportunity for employees, spouses, and children of roofing industry professionals to ease their financial burden and assist in their education.  $5,000 goes a long way in terms of tuition, books, and room and board. And with no set number of scholarships awarded each year, everyone is encouraged to apply!

Forward and share this scholarship opportunity with high schools, universities, trade, and vocational schools and remind them of the April 10, 2020 deadline.