By Rick Gardner
The RCI-IIBEC Foundation is excited to announce the eight winners of its 2026–2027 Robert W. Lyons and RCI Lewis W. Newlan academic scholarships. The $5,000 Lyons scholarship is specifically for undergraduate education expenses for students studying construction or building sciences, architecture, or engineering. The RCI Lewis W. Newlan scholarship is for $2,500 and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students—again for studies in construction or building sciences, architecture, or engineering. Altogether, the 2026–2027 scholarships total $30,000.
Scholarship winners are selected based on financial need, letters of recommendation, and the student’s request for consideration.
This year’s scholarship recipients follow.
Robert W. Lyons Scholarship Recipients
Skyler Cooper
Skyler Cooper is studying civil engineering at Lawrence Technology University in Southfield, Michigan. He is currently working as a summer intern for OHM Advisors in Livonia, Michigan. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, golfing, and working out.
Allissa Hummer
Allissa Hummer attends Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is an undergraduate student studying construction management engineering. Hummer was on the dean’s list for the fall and spring semesters, 2025–2026, and was inducted into the William Lee Honors College. She serves as the financial director of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority.
Lamar Johnson
Lamar Johnson is an undergraduate in construction management at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California. He is currently working as an assistant project manager at Yates and is gaining experience managing multimillion dollar construction projects. Johnson is a member of the CRC Honors Program and TRIO STEM. He is a recipient of the LRCF Fostering Success Scholarship and FLINT Vocational Scholarship. His interests include music production, craftsmanship, and leadership.
Marolla Youakim
Marolla Youakim is working on her associate of science in engineering science degree at Hudson County Community College (HCCC), in Jersey City, New Jersey. Youakim’s awards and honors include: the OSHE (Office of the Secretary of Higher Education) Educational Opportunity Fund Distinguished Academic Achievement Award; the Distinguished Phi Theta Kappa Middle States Region Chapter Officer Hall of Honor Award; and the HCCC Club Organization Student Leadership Recognition Awards.
RCI Lewis W. Newlan Scholarship Recipients
Eugene Hon Cheung
Eugene Hon Cheung is a graduate student studying construction systems at the University of California – Berkley. His activities include serving as a research assistant and as a SENtastic leader, a mentorship and inclusion advocacy program at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Cheung has received the ACEC Bay Bridge Chapter Scholarship; the CEE Departmental Fellowship; the CMAA NorCal Chapter Scholarship; the HKCA Lo Pan Scholarship; the Hong Kong Housing Society Scholarship; the Professor Wilson Tang Scholarship; and the HKIE Scholarship.
Reid Gruenes
Reid Gruenes attends Inver Hills Community College in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and is studying civil engineering. He is currently working as a full-time field engineer intern with Bolton & Menk Engineering. Gruenes has earned an associate’s and trade certificate in civil engineering technology from Dakota County Technical College and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. He is a Veteran’s Club member.
Kelsey Medina
Kelsey Medina studies civil engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. During the past year, Medina attended the IIBEC BES in St. Louis and the IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show in Sacramento. She is currently an active student member of IIBEC, the Society of Hispanic Engineers Club, 2024–2025 Presidential List Award recipient, and a member of the SOAR Club (service organization), a member of the ASCE Club, treasurer of the SHPE Club, and a member of the Arise Catholic Young Adult Ministry. Her interests include community service, ministry participation, and sustainability in construction.
Eileen Rose
Eileen Rose is completing her undergraduate degree in construction management at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. Rose also attended the IIBEC BES in St. Louis as well as the IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show in Sacramento and is currently an IIBEC student member. Her numerous awards, honors, and activities include: the Academic Excellence Award; Hawk Awards; Lynch Scholarship; Presidential Scholarship; Sigma Lambda Chi Construction Management International Honor Society; the dean’s list 2023–present; RA Community Builder of the Year; Construction Management Club; Women in Construction Club; AGC Club; Running Club; Commercial Competition Team; NAHB Competition Team; and Ski Club. She also is vice president of the Catholic Campus Ministry Club.
Since these scholarships were established in 2018, the foundation has donated $257,500 to support 73 students through these academic scholarships. Many thanks go out to all the foundation donors who made these scholarships possible. Donations continue to be accepted to support both scholarship funds. For more information, visit the foundation’s website at https://rci-iibecfoundation.org/donate-2/ (US) or https://rcifoundation.ca/donate/ (Canada), or contact Foundations Development Officer Rick Gardner at 919-859-0742 or rgardner@iibec.org.
