Tower Family Foundation Announces Recipients of Annual Merit-Based Scholarships
40 New Students Awarded Merit-Based Scholarships; 29 Renewals Granted for 2026–2027 Academic Year
The Tower Family Foundation announced today the recipients of the non-profit organization’s 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.
Tower Family Foundation
July 9, 2026
The Tower Family Foundation is a 501c-3 non-profit organization whose mission is providing financial assistance to communications infrastructure workers and their family members in the aftermath of job-related accidents or fatalities, and funding education scholarship opportunities for eligible industry communications infrastructure workers, their family members, and dependents.