Scholarships &
School Grants
Scholarships for Students/Apprentices:
The Marquette Builders Exchange awards scholarships to Upper Peninsula of Michigan residents who are furthering their education and pursuing careers in the construction industry. This includes high school seniors, college students, and those in a DOL certified trades apprenticeship program. Checks are given directly to the students. To apply, fill out the application form online, download the PDF, or stop by the office at 1229 W. Washington Street, Marquette, MI for a paper copy. Applications are due April 1.
For over 40 years, the Marquette Builders Exchange has been awarding scholarships to U.P. students who are continuing their education in construction. Areas of study have included industrial maintenance, welding, masonry, plumbing, carpentry, architecture, engineering, drafting, electrical, sheet metal, and construction management. Over the years, those students have gone on to become integral members of the Upper Peninsula’s work force. See the list of past winners below!
School Funding:
The Marquette Builders Exchange provides Upper Peninsula schools with funds to to purchase necessary tools, safety equipment, or construction materials for their industrial arts and building trades classrooms. Funds can also be used to providing bussing to competitions, field trips, or events. To apply download the PDF or apply online for the school grant. The deadline is October 1st.
Other Scholarships & Assistance:
To apply for the Home Builders Association of the U.P. scholarship, click here.
Other opportunities are available for students pursuing Career & Technical Education degrees by contacting the CTE Committee of Marquette & Alger Counties. Visit MARESA’s CTE website to learn more.
Recent Scholarship & School Funding Recipients
Schools Funded:
- 2025 – Superior Central High School in Eben – $1,400 for scaffolding and related safety equipment
- 2025 – Ironwood Area Schools – $940 for punch & die sets for the metal fabrication program
- 2025 – Marquette Alternative High School – $500 for benchtop vices for woodworking
- 2025 – Westwood High School – $250 for tools & toolbelts for students
- 2024 – Dickinson-Iron ISD in Kingsford – $950 for a laser level tripod kit
- 2024 – Superior Central Schools in Eben – $1,000 for class field trips to job sites & competitions
- 2024 – Delta-Schoolcraft ISD in Escanaba – $900 for a cordless nail gun an new levels
- 2024 – Ironwood Area Schools – $600 for a right angle die grinder and a tungsten grinder
- 2023 – Dickinson-Iron ISD in Kingsford – $2,000 to purchase a SawStop safety table saw
- 2023 – Delta-Schoolcraft ISD in Escanaba – $1,000 for concrete mixing tub & tools
- 2023 – Delta-Schoolcraft ISD in Manistique – $875 for a portable miter saw
- 2023 – Ironwood Area Schools – $2,000 for a manual slip roller
- 2022 – Gwinn Middle/High School – $1,000 towards Geometry in Construction teacher training
- 2022 – Delta-Schoolcraft ISD in Escanaba – $1,400 for metal roofing to complete the mezzanine
- 2022 – Superior Central School – $600 to purchase two cordless circular saws
- 2021 – Superior Central School – $617 to purchase a miter saw. See their thank you video!
- 2021 – Gwinn Middle/High School – $735 for drafting tables
- 2021 – Gwinn Elementary – $108 to purchase math books
- 2021 – Dickinson-Iron ISD in Kingsford – $629 to purchase a miter saw
- 2021 – Delta-Schoolcraft ISD in Escanaba – $2,000 for lumber to build a mezzanine for storage
- 2021 – Delta-Schoolcraft ISD in Manistique – $1050 for cordless nail guns
- 2020 – Engadine High School – $1,560 for carpentry tools, hands tools, power equipment, safety supplies
- 2019 – Republic High School – $1,000 for electrical improvements to the industrial arts classroom
- 2019 – Gwinn High School – $3,000 for lumber & supplies to build saunas in the building trades class
High School Scholarship Winners:
2026
Lee Byman, Negaunee
Andrew Kangas, Marquette
Storm Parish, Ironwood
Louis Salmi, Westwood
2025
Levi Stauber, Kingsford
Aubrey Phillips, Kingsford
2024
Tyler Chantelois, Westwood
Noah Eric Johnson, Kingsford
McKenna Marie Trulock, Kingsford
Eli Wallis, Kingsford
2023
Easton Palomaki, Negaunee
Lexi Vross, Kingsford H
Tyler Willey, Ishpeming
2022
Nicholas Anderson, Ironwood
Brenten Belanger, Negaunee
Connor Erickson, Kingsford
Jordana Hardy, Gwinn
Austin Jordan, Hancock
Jenna Olkkonen, Kingsford
Westen Owens, Iron Mountain
2021
Scott Pendergraft, Escanaba
Dante Basanese, Iron Mountain
Natalie Monette, Lake Linden-Hubbell
Aiden Christianson, Rapid River
2020
Logan Chaudier, Negaunee
Drew DuShane, Negaunee
Heston Roberts, North Star Academy
Ryan Taylor, Manistique
Noah Weaver, Escanaba
2019
Austin Brewer, Westwood
Noah Jacko, Kingsford
Theo Kumpala, Negaunee
Thomas LaFave, Ishpeming
Jacob Maxon, Iron Mountain
Joseph Roell, North Dickinson County
2018
Kyle Hupp, Chassell Township Gabriel Johnson, North Dickinson
Blaine Reinhart, Escanaba
Kalysta Sormunen, Marquette Alternative
2017
Austin Alexa, North Dickinson
Matthew Chard, Houghton
Heather Harris, Kingsford
Clayton Johnson, Escanaba
Levi Lindberg, Ewen-Trout Creek
Natasha Smith, Escanaba
2016
Daryn Carter, Marquette
Derek Carter, Marquette
Joe Ferzacca, Marquette
Tyler Rushford, Munising
2015
Andrew Heinonen, Westwood
Matthew Laiho, Westwood H
Justin Beauchamp, Gwinn H
Michael Remilong, Negaunee
2014
Matthew Robert Anderson, Marquette
Cameron Verigin, Marquette
Samual Huron Lakenen, Marquette
Craig Ekstrum, Marquette
Haylee Lakenen, Gwinn
2013
Raymond Anderson, Westwood
Hunter Mahoski, Westwood
Dylan Dowrick, Marquette
2012
Andrew Jarvi, Republic-Michigamme
Zachary Niemi, Ishpeming
Laura Simula, Westwood
Danielle Vilona, Negaunee
2011
Dylan Etelamaki, Westwood
Rudy Goupille, Negaunee
Chad Laiho, Westwood
Kenneth Peterson, Ishpeming
Zachary Solka, Ishpeming
2010
Chase Elliot, Marquette
Samuel Genord, Ishpeming
James Rautio, Ishpeming
Devin Tapani, Negaunee
2009
Andrew Carlson, Ishpeming
Bradley St. Germain, Negaunee
Daniel VanAlstyne, Gwinn
2008
Travis Allen, Ishpeming
Matthew Barry, Republic-Michigamme
John Heikkila, Westwood
Kyle Kestila, Westwood
2007
Korin Blubaugh, Republic-Michigamme
Daniel Murray, Westwood
David Sutton, Marquette
Stephen Talaga, Negaunee
2006
Brian Bolm, Marquette
Steffanie Pepin, Westwood
Amy Ruona, Westwood
Jordon Skytta, Westwood
Eric Uuro, Ishpeming
Joshua Wiljanen, Westwood
2005
Timothy Barrette, Negaunee
Jon Betz, Marquette
Erin Feeley, Marquette
Alisa Minard, Westwood
2004
Bryce Hattamer, Gwinn
Emily Mantila, Westwood
Eric Sibley, Westwood
Nicholas Thompson, Negaunee
Ryan Ward, Negaunee
2003
John Bauman, Negaunee
Jacob Carlson, Westwood
Michael Jakubowski, Gwinn
2002
John Carstens, Marquette
Raquel Magdaleno, Gwinn
Paul J. Skoglund, Gwinn
2001
Brenna N. Barney, Gwinn
Andrew M. Buck, Ishpeming
Randy Makela, Marquette
Robert Noe, Gwinn
Eric J. Pietila, Gwinn
2000
Andrew Luehmann, Ishpeming
Adam Manty, Westwood
Jennifer Tapio, Republic-Michigamme
1999
Mark Anderson, Gwinn
Amanda Angeli, Marquette
Bruce A. Cram, Jr., Gwinn
Marguerite Ledebuhr, Gwinn
Joel Prusi, Republic-Michigamme
1998
Melissa Beltz, Gwinn
David Green, Gwinn
Anthony Parkinson, Republic-Michigamme
Benjamin Ranta, Ishpeming
Nicole Silva, Gwinn
1997
Lee Ahola, Westwood
Brian Frustaglio, Negaunee
Travis Hongisto, Westwood
John Larson, Negaunee
Trever Nicholas, Ishpeming
1996
Joseph J. Eppert, Republic-Michigamme
Karl Haapala, Westwood
Jeff Gregorich, Marquette
Gabriel J. Seelen, Ishpeming
1995
Cory Bushong, Westwood
Johanna Kasubowski, Westwood
Andrew Kotila, Negaunee
Aaron Oja, Republic-Michigamme
Todd Wills, Gwinn
Let us know if you were a recipient of a scholarship before 1995!
Apprenticeship Scholarship Winners:
2026
Jacob Kugler, Sheet Metal Workers
Morgan Bruce, Carpenters & Millwrights
2025
Brandon Rogers, Sheet Metal Workers
Dimitri Liske, Sheet Metal Workers
Spencer Harvala, Sheet Metal Workers
Chase Korpi, Sheet Metal Workers
Dawson Delongchamp, Sheet Metal Workers
Eli Koetje, Carpenters & Millwrights
2024
Alexander Dobbs, Sheet Metal Workers
Ty Miron, Sheet Metal Workers
John O’Connor, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers
Donny Schultz, Plumbers & Pipefitters
Thomas John Seablom, Jr., Plumbers & Pipefitters
2023
David Bivins, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers
2022
Sarah Wolenski, Carpenters & Millwrights
Jersie Skrzniarz, Electricians
Trevor Salmon, Plumbers & Pipefitters
Jamie Chandler, Plumbers & Pipefitters
Jason Palomaki, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers
Dylan Scott Trudell, Electricians
2021
Noah Brooks, Sheet Metal Workers
Justin Lindsay, Carpenters & Millwrights
Michael Tyner, Carpenters & Millwrights
Jacob Gentz, Carpenters & Millwrights
