The Tower Family Foundation, which supports the wireless construction industry’s men and women and their families in their time of greatest need following fatalities or serious injuries, has announced the recipients of its merit-based scholarship program for the 2026-2027 academic year.
The Tower Family Foundation scholarship program provides a limited number of merit-based scholarships to employees of NATE member companies and their eligible dependents. The following recipients were selected based on academic achievement, degree program potential, and essay responses:
| Scholarship Recipient Aiden Vincent Annie Goins Audrie Lai Benjamin Speers Brock Sprague Brooklyn Blob Bryce Ouzts Buck Sorrells Carter Espinosa Chase Nunan Cherissa Shepherd David Samaniego Emerson Hiemstra Emma Catanach Emma Mallangada Fatima Hashmi Hatley Burdette Isabella Denman Jace Neagle Jacob Garrett Jenna Sykes Jessica Lai Josie Hanson Katherine Hamilton Kayden McQuown Kelci Eischens Malaina Kuhn Matias Rubin Nicolas Rubin Nico Suriano Olivia Soto Quinn Van Roekel Riya Varghese Rodrigo Montoya Tessa Francis Victoria Hinojosa Wyatt Ponder Yoav Rond Youssef Elghazi Zachary Benge | College University of California, Santa Cruz Washington & Lee University University of North Carolina at Charlotte Cedarville University Oklahoma Baptist University Northern Michigan University Florida State University Mount Mercy University California State University, Monterey Bay Arizona State University Hampton University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Des Moines Area Community College Colorado Mesa University Rutgers University – New Brunswick Rutgers University – New Brunswick Illinois Central College University of Texas at Arlington North Carolina State University North Carolina State University Saint Anselm College California State University, Dominguez Hills University of Tennessee Knoxville University of California San Diego Troy University South Dakota State University Welch College University of Miami University of Miami Rochester Institute of Technology Providence College University of Iowa University of Massachusetts Lowell Colorado State University Worcester Polytechnic Institute Marquette University Texas A&M University University of Florida University of Texas at Dallas William Jewell College |
In addition to the newly awarded merit-based scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year, the Tower Family Foundation renewed scholarships for 29 returning recipients. The following individuals received scholarship renewals:
| Scholarship Recipient Allison Nixa Ava Lindstrom Brock Tracy Caroline Hanson Carter Burdette Davis Dyer Emma Ruedlinger Haylie Budahn Jescie Tinio Joshua Peddrick Kaleb Hagstrom Laurel Calhoun Liam Carroll Lindsey McNeal Logan Williams Madison Witte Mason Child Megan Murphy Mia Harris Mia Paulette Morgan Child Piper Talman Rebecca Couch Rylee Tanner Samantha Szull Sean Kelly Victoria Ingram Violet Talman Zachary Bowen | College University of Iowa Wake Tech Community College Southern Nazarene University University of Connecticut Troy University University of Iowa Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Northern State University University of Maryland, College Park University of Kentucky Iowa State University Cal Poly Humboldt Paul Smith’s College University of Alabama University of California – Berkeley Gustavus Adolphus College University of North Carolina, Wilmington University of Iowa Presbyterian College Ohio University Clemson University James Madison University The University of Texas at Austin Murray State University University of Central Florida The New School – Parsons School of Design University of South Carolina Beaufort James Madison University University of Maryland Eastern Shore |
Tower Family Foundation merit-based scholarships are valued at up to $5,000 per academic year for full-time students (carrying a minimum of 12 semester hours) and up to $2,500 per year for part-time students (carrying a minimum of 6 semester hours) and are made payable to the educational institution on behalf of the student. To be eligible for renewal, scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
“The Tower Family Foundation is honored to support these outstanding students as they continue their educational journeys,” said Patrick Murphy, Partner of Murphy Tower Service, LLC and Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. “Their hard work, perseverance, and accomplishments have earned this well-deserved recognition. We are excited to invest in their future success and extend our sincere gratitude to the Scholarship Committee members for their dedication and thoughtful evaluations, and to the donors whose generosity helps make these scholarships possible,” added Murphy.
The Tower Family Foundation Scholarship Committee members include the following: Patrick Murphy, Partner at Murphy Tower Service, LLC; Mark Ciarfella, Executive Vice President of Operations at SBA Communications Corporation; Mike Clementi, Vice President & General Manager at Sabre Industries, Inc.; Ryan Ford, National Vendor Manager at Boost Mobile; Tara Rand, President of New England Wireless Association; Sheri Deuer, President of Deuer Development; and Clif Peterson, Chief Joy Officer of Joy Inc.
In addition to the annually awarded merit-based scholarships, the Tower Family Foundation also provides scholarships to severely injured or permanently disabled tower workers, as well as to the legal dependent of a permanently disabled or deceased tower industry worker. These scholarships reflect the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting the families and individuals affected by serious incidents within the industry. During the award period, one scholarship was granted through this special assistance program.
Since its inception in 2014, the Tower Family Foundation has awarded over $3.5 million in donations and scholarships to eligible tower workers and their families. To learn more about the Tower Family Foundation or to make an online contribution, visit towerfamilyfoundation.org.
