POTOMAC FALLS, Va. -- The Education Foundation of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWIEF) has awarded scholarships totaling $50,000 to 25 eligible students who aspire to careers in the woodwork industry.  

The awards mark a milestone for the AWIEF resulting from a $1 million contribution from the Quality Certification Corporation in 2021 for annual scholarship funding of $50,000 per year for 20 years. The student support funds are designated as Randolph Estabrook Scholarships in honor of QCC’s former executive director. 

“In four years, the number of scholarships awarded has more than doubled, from 10 to 25. The ‘giving arm of AWI’ has delivered more than $269,000 in scholarships since its founding in 2008 to help perpetuate the architectural woodwork industry,” said AWIEF Director and AWI CEO Doug Hague.

To qualify for an AWIEF scholarship, each nominee must be enrolled in or currently attending school with a focus on architectural woodworking. In compliance with the terms of the original donation to the Foundation to annually award $50,000 in scholarships, the AWIEF board of directors accepted two nomination invitations per academic institution instructor, thereby opening up the pool of potential secondary and post-secondary school recipients.

“Of 25 winners this year, eight are female, which is worth celebrating as a natural outcome of more diverse interest in the architectural woodwork industry,” Hague said.  Students at eight academic institutions received scholarships.

“It is very rewarding to serve on the board of AWI’s Education Foundation and execute the dream of the Estabrook Scholarships to award $50,000 for the next 20 years for our industry’s future workforce,” Hague added.