Students Look Forward to Joining the Industry

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, July 20, 2009 — The NSCA Education Foundation awarded 10 scholarships to students pursuing careers in the commercial electronic systems industry.

Recipients of the scholarships include:
• Jesse Ashby, Christopher Newport University, Theatre and Dance
• Matthew Ayo, Columbia College Chicago, Acoustics
• Jason Denner, Kirkwood Community College, Electronic Engineering Technology
• Byron Duarte, Columbia College Chicago, Audio Arts and Acoustics
• Gary Fine, Columbia College Chicago, Audio Arts and Acoustics
• Thomas Evans, Columbia College Chicago, Audio Design & Production
• Andrew Hart, Columbia College Chicago, Audio Arts and Acoustics
• John Hayes, Columbia College Chicago, Audio Arts and Acoustics
• Tyson King, Kirkwood Community College, Electronic Engineering Technology
• Dawn Meade, University of MD University College, Graduate School of Management and Technology, Information and Technology Systems

Scholarship winners were selected based on their applications, grade point averages, work experiences and letters of recommendation. In addition to the NSCA Scholarship, Ashby and Hayes each also received a $2,500 Robert Bosch scholarship.

The NSCA Education Foundation focuses on recruiting the next generation of professionals into the commercial electronic systems industry by funding scholarships, NSCA student memberships and job resources.

“The Foundation’s scholarship program is a major resource for students interested in one of the fastest growing industries,� said Tom Frericks, NSCA Education Foundation president. “With the support of our industry partners and many contractors and integrators, the Foundation is able to provide this year’s recipients with financial assistance so they can focus on their education and become the leaders of the next generation of integrators.�

Byron Duarte expressed in his application the desire to improve the electronic and audio industry in his native country of Guatemala. He realizes that a “green� future will become the norm and hopes to take the knowledge he is learning now and apply it to advancing the industry in Guatemala. Thomas Evans also reiterated this point and hopes to turn his passion of anything audio into a global, yet personally unique, product.

Dawn Meade, with more than 12 years of experience in the industry, said there was nothing better than going to work every day and getting to “play� for pay.

Gary Fine described his hopes for his future career as the ability to combine both the technical and artistic aspects of audio systems.

“The synergy of subjectivity and art with mechanical structure and mathematical reason in electronic recording systems and live sound reinforcement systems transcends all other medias and mediums, he said.�

The ability to apply passion and technical knowledge to create a more personal experience for a crowd of thousands resided in all of this year’s winners. The industry can look forward to years of great talent entering the workforce.

For more information about the NSCA Education Foundation, visit www.nscafoundation.org or call 800.446.6722.

About the NSCA Education Foundation
The NSCA Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports educational initiatives focused on the future growth and stability of the commercial electronic systems industry. The goals of the Foundation include: making training
available and affordable for industry professionals and students, attracting new qualified individuals into the industry; and providing the industry with leadership and direction through educational programs. For more information, visit www.nscafoundation.org.