Stanley Merjan and George J. Tamaro Civil Engineering Scholarships Awarded at DFI Educational Trust Gala Fundraising Dinner

The 14^th Annual DFI Educational Trust Gala Fundraising Dinner took place on November 7, 2019, at Terrace On The Park in Corona, New York. The gala was attended by more than 125 guests and raised over $25,000.  Proceeds from the event benefit the Stanley Merjan City College of New York (CCNY) Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund, George J. Tamaro Manhattan College Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund, and DFI Educational Trust General Fund. At the event, the Merjan family made an additional generous contribution to the Stanley Merjan Scholarship Fund. Recipients of the 2019 Merjan and Tamaro scholarships were at the event to receive the scholarship awards. 

Merjan Scholarship Recipients

Four CCNY students received scholarship awards from the DFI Educational Trust Stanley Merjan Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund. The fund was established in 2010 and is named for the late Stanley Merjan, an inspiration and mentor to young engineers throughout the construction industry, and a graduate of CCNY. 

Jeffrey Liu is a senior civil engineering student with a concentration in structures. He is currently the concrete mix design captain of the local Concrete Canoe Club and president of the local chapter of the Structural Engineers Association of New York. He participated in the DDETFP and presented a poster at the Annual TRB Conference. 

Imam H. Mihan is a senior pursuing his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, with a specialization in structural engineering. After graduation, he plans to work as a structural engineer in New York City while pursuing his master’s degree. He is currently an active member of the ASCE student chapter at CCNY. 

Alison Richard is a civil engineering student with a specialization in structures. Before attending CCNY she worked as a draftsperson and an expediter. After graduation she plans to be involved in both new construction, project management and forensic engineering—in addition to pursuing a master’s in structures. 

Michael Vera is a civil engineering student and currently works as an engineering intern for the NYC School Construction Authority and as a tutor at CCNY. He recently participated in research in Japan pertaining to the structural stability of buildings during earthwork loads. He intends on obtaining a master’s degree in structural engineering and his P.E. license. 

Tamaro Scholarship Recipients

Four Manhattan College students received awards from the Tamaro Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is named for George J. Tamaro, the first-ever DFI Legends-Engineer Award recipient and a graduate of Manhattan College. 

Cara Cao is a senior undergraduate student majoring in civil engineering and is president of the DFI Student Chapter at Manhattan College. She recently participated in a research paper that has been accepted for presentation at TRB. After graduating, she will be pursuing her master’s degree in geotechnical engineering.

Michael LaValle is a senior majoring in civil engineering. He recently completed an internship with JF Shea Construction.  He is the current president of the Manhattan College ASCE Student Chapter and is involved in Concrete Canoe, DFI and NYWEA. Upon graduation, he plans to work in the tunneling field. 

Taylor Malangone is a senior civil engineering student and a member of various student chapters including ASCE, and was recently inducted into the Chi Epsilon Honor Society. She recently interned with AECOM’s geotechnical group, and plans to pursue a master’s degree and career in geotechnical engineering. 

Rachel White is a civil engineering student and is actively involved with many clubs and honor societies on campus including ASCE, DFI, Concrete Canoe and Chi Epsilon. After graduating in May 2020, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in engineering.

Contact: Emilio S. Fandino, Trust Administrator, (973) 423-4030, efandino@dfi.org.