Meet our 2021 Scholarship Recipients

ACIF Scholarships

For the past 28 years, the Alabama Concrete Industries Foundation has awarded scholarships to students enrolled in building science, engineering or architecture at our state’s universities. Since 1993, we have awarded 54 scholarships totaling over $250,000. We currently award 2 $8,000 scholarships per year.

The foundation’s first scholarship recipient, Isabella Harris, is a student at Auburn University majoring in Building Science. She has a 3.81 GPA overall with a 4.0 GPA in her major and has made the dean’s list in every semester enrolled at Auburn. Isabella is also a member of Sigma Lambda Chi – Iota Chapter Honor Society for students in construction. She gives back to the industry by serving as the marketing director for the AGC student chapter on campus.

Maintaining such a high GPA is challenging enough, but she has done so while working at the School of Architecture as a Development Student Worker. For the past two years, she has interned with JohnsonKreis construction company to gain real world experience.

Upon graduation she hopes to pursue a career as a construction estimator.

The second winner, Steven Klepac, is a student at the University of South Alabama majoring in civil engineering. He has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the President’s list for his outstanding academic achievements. He currently serves as the president of the Tau Beta Pi honor society and vice president of the Civil Engineering Honor Society, Chi Epsilon.

While his academic achievements are remarkable, even more impressive is his work ethic and desire to succeed after a setback. He originally started school in 2010 but had to leave due to the loss of college funding. No stranger to hard work, he took on positions in the construction industry serving as a construction inspector. In 2017, Steven was able to attain a position that allowed him to work and return to school. He has made the most of his second chance and continues to work to fund his studies and to support himself and his wife.

Upon graduation this year, he plans to pursue his master’s degree in structural engineering.

Sam Reed Scholarship

In 2017, the Sam Reed Memorial Scholarship was created to honor and remember Sam Reed, a great leader and past board chairman. Following his untimely death, the board of directors established a $5,000 scholarship for students enrolled at Auburn University majoring in building science, architecture or engineering.

Marshall Heyda is a senior in civil engineering and holds a 3.95 GPA. He is on the Dean’s List, a John A. Manning math award winner, and a NASA Space Grant Scholar.

Marshall currently serves as the Vice President of Auburn’s Chi Epsilon and the treasurer of Auburn’s American Society of Civil Engineers.

He will graduate this May, and is looking forward to pursuing his Master’s degree in Engineering.

ACIA Employee Scholarship Program

The ACIA employee scholarship program was established to assist the children of members who will be continuing their studies at a 2 year or 4 year school. This year we are presenting 2 – $1,500 scholarships.

The first recipient is Madison Miller, daughter of Todd Miller with National Cement. Madison will graduate from Gardendale High School and will attend the University of Alabama this fall. She is graduating with honors and was voted class favorite by her peers. She is a certified swim teacher, lifeguard and has helped with cheerleader training.

Madison is also the cofounder of RAKBHAM (pronounced Rack-Bee Ham) “Random Acts of Kindness in Birmingham,” is a GHS student ambassador, a member of Cornerstone Ranch Staff, Vacation Bible School leader and has been on a mission trip to Guatemala, to name just a few of the many ways she has volunteered in the community.

The second recipient is Emily Kamykowski. Emily is the daughter of Jeff Kamykowski with Ready Mix USA and will graduate from Prattville Christian Academy. She will be attending Troy University in the fall. Emily is also graduating with honors, and is a member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was homecoming queen.

She has been a PCA student ambassador for the last three years, volleyball team captain and has served the community by volunteering in local nursing homes and helping feed the homeless.