A scholarship that acknowledges the relentless dedication of college students and extends opportunities to those who may otherwise struggle to access higher education is a beacon of hope and empowerment. It symbolizes the belief in meritocracy and the transformative power of education. By breaking down financial barriers, this scholarship not only opens doors for deserving individuals but also enriches the fabric of our society, especially a critical sector like the construction industry by providing first-class learning experiences for students and launching untapped potential into the world of construction science and management.
Dr. Ibukun Awolusi
Donation Options:
We have always believed in opportunities afforded by higher education and have always been generous with our time and money.
We will continue this through this scholarship. To ensure that 100% of donations go towards the scholarship, we have committed to paying all nonprofit expenses as our personal donation.
Contact Information:
For those using Donor Advised Funds, you can reach out to Taylor Phelps at the info below.
Taylor Phelps
Chief Development Officer
Klesse College of Engineering & Integrated Design
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Information:
taylor.phelps@utsa.edu
M: (903) 474-1296
One UTSA Circle,
San Antonio, TX 78249-3209
Inspiring Impact: Stories of Scholarship Success
We're thankful for your help. See how your donation can change a life.
Matthew Wendtland
UTSA, Senior
“I am writing to express how sincerely thankful I am to the donors of the Nikolas Romano Legacy Endowed Scholarship for this award.
I have been going to school part-time throughout my adulthood for almost ten years. I left home at a young age and had to get a full-time job to take care of myself. I have always dreamed of a career that I could build things and create; one that I would enjoy waking up to each morning. That was my motivation in going back to school in the evenings after work. I have been paying out of pocket for each semester to avoid going into debt. I am finally a senior with only three courses left to graduate. This scholarship is such a blessing and will provide me with great assistance in my last semester. It could not have come at a better time. I’ll be starting an internship for Marksmen General Contractors, which I hope to be hired as a full-time employee following graduation. My internship will force me to leave my current job and take a pay cut so; this assistance is such a grace that I do not take likely. You are helping me finish my goals of a degree and having a career in a field I’m passionate about.
I want to thank you again for this support. I humbly want to say that it is an absolute honor.”
Ethan Hile
UTSA, Senior
“I humbly thank you for giving me the opportunity to accept this generous scholarship. I am grateful for the support.
Like other students, I have struggled to find a balance between work and school, but with this scholarship my anxiety will be relieved. It is a great honor to accept this scholarship and I vow to put it to good use. Sincerely, I thank you, my wife thanks you, and my entire household thanks you. I know that my senior year at UTSA will be my least stressful because money will no longer be a factor. This will allow me to graduate, get a job, and transition into the field. It’s not just the money as to why I am grateful, it is also the fact that I am being recognized for academic excellence. I thank you all for being the first people to do that for me.”
Ryan Trejo
UTSA, Junior
“I want to take some time aside and thank the donor of the Nikolas Andreas Romano Legacy Endowed scholarship. It means a great deal to me and I can’t thank them enough. It makes my family proud and it brings me immense gratitude. I have put a lot of dedication and hard work into my future career since graduating from high school, and I feel like it is finally paying off. To be recognized and selected for this opportunity fills me with joy. I didn’t think I was going to be awarded any scholarships while I was attending college, so this is a great honor.
Throughout my college experience I have had to use loans to pay for my schooling. Receiving this scholarship takes a big burden off of my shoulders. The generosity from the donor is much appreciated and something special I will hold within me. Their kind and thoughtful gift brought me a smile when I found out I was selected. If I could see them in person, I would reassure them that their donation will not be in vain and I will make sure it doesn’t go to waste. Finishing college will be a great accomplishment that nobody can take away. Thank you!”
Gerry Garza
UTSA, Sophomore
“I am writing to express my biggest thank you for selecting me to be a recipient of the Nikolas Andreas Romano Legacy Endowed Scholarship award. I am honored to receive this award and want to pay my respects to Nikolas Andreas Romano’s family. I cannot imagine what it is like to lose your child, and I will keep you in my prayers to persevere through these hard times. I read a bit into the life of Nikolas and would like to say he seemed like a cool and genuine human being. I can tell if I had met him during my time at UTSA, I would have been friends with him. I would like to add that a few days before I got offered this scholarship, I had applied to Catamount Constructors and after reading his story online I had discovered that he worked there, I was mind blown. It could have been a coincidence but who knows.
Again, I want to say a big thank you again for choosing me to be a recipient of this scholarship, it means a lot to me and will help relieve my family’s financial stress. Without people like the donors of this scholarship the world would be a lot more stressful and overwhelming. I plan to reach a point in which I too can help someone in need and help the communities around me to make the world a better place.”