Wabash Valley Contractors Association Celebrates Industry Leaders and 2026 Scholarship Recipients2/26/2026
Terre Haute, IN – The Wabash Valley Contractors Association (WVCA) brought together industry leaders, members, and community partners for its annual awards dinner, celebrating excellence in construction and investing in the next generation of professionals. “As Board President of WVCA, it is a privilege to recognize the individuals and companies who continue to strengthen our industry,” said Michael Shaw. “Our members do more than build structures; they build opportunity, innovation, and workforce pathways for the future. Tonight is about honoring that impact and supporting the students who will carry our industry forward.” Industry Awards This year, the prestigious Cornerstone Award was presented to Hannig Construction, recognizing the company’s leadership, quality craftsmanship, and lasting contributions to the Wabash Valley construction landscape. Hannig Construction continues to set the standard for excellence, innovation, and community partnership within the region. The President’s Award, the association’s highest individual honor, was awarded to Brian Stolt of Overhead Door Co. of Terre Haute for his exceptional dedication, service, and unwavering support of WVCA and the construction industry. 2026 Scholarship Recipients A highlight of the evening was the presentation of WVCA scholarships to outstanding students pursuing higher education across a wide range of disciplines. The 2026 WVCA Scholarship Award recipients are:
The program reflects WVCA’s ongoing commitment to workforce development, education, and strengthening the communities its members serve. The next round of scholarship applications will open this spring, with submissions due July 1, 2026. For eligibility requirements and application details, visit: www.wabashvalleycontractorsassociation.com/awards.html  Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Annual WVCA Christmas Party. We are sincerely grateful to our members, friends, and families who gather each year to celebrate the season and strengthen our community. A special thank you to those who generously donated raffle items, and our heartfelt appreciation to the board for their dedication and efforts in organizing another memorable evening. We wish you a joyful holiday season and look forward to a successful year ahead with WVCA.
Special guest Matt Graves, Head Coach of the Indiana State Men’s Basketball team, joined us for our October dinner meeting to share an exciting preview of the upcoming Sycamore season and the momentum building within ISU athletics. Coach Graves also offered valuable insight into how evolving NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) regulations are reshaping recruitment and the broader landscape of college sports.  The evening was filled with great conversation, industry camaraderie, and a shared passion for supporting our local community and athletics. Thank you to all who attended and made the night a success—go Sycamores! On October 8, the Wabash Valley Contractors Association proudly joined the Terre Haute Children’s Museum to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the Under Construction exhibit—an exciting new hands-on space designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of builders, engineers, and problem-solvers.  As part of this special event, WVCA presented a $10,000 sponsorship in support of the exhibit and its mission to introduce children to the world of construction, teamwork, and innovation through interactive play. This partnership reflects WVCA’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future workforce and supporting educational initiatives that build strong foundations—both in our community and in the construction industry. We are honored to help bring this vision to life and look forward to seeing young minds imagine, create, and build. WVCA members and friends hit the greens at Hulman Links for the 2025 Scholarship Golf Outing! It was a beautiful day filled with great weather, friendly competition, and even better company, all coming together to support the WVCA Scholarship Program. Thanks to our members’ ongoing involvement, we’ve been able to help local students pursue their education and build bright futures. Thank you for your continued support! Applications for the 2026 WVCA Scholarships are open. Check out the qualifications and apply here.
Indiana State University President Dr. Mike Godard, Ph.D., joined members of the Wabash Valley Contractors Association for the June bi-monthly dinner, where he shared the university’s vision for workforce development and regional collaboration. During the conversation, President Godard highlighted he importance of aligning academic programs with real-world industry needs and emphasized the university’s role as a key driver of economic growth in the region. The WVCA would like to thank President Godard for his commitment to improving the Wabash Valley through thoughtful and dedicated action. We appreciate you taking the time to come and share your insights with our members.  The WVCA prides itself on connecting local contractors to change makers across industries and facilitating conversations that matter for the prosperity and growth of our region. Last month, Indiana State University President Mike Godard, Ph.D., attended our bi-monthly meeting to share insights into the actions being taken by the university to invest in programs that strengthen our local workforce.
Read more about this speaker or past speakers at: https://www.wabashvalleycontractorsassociation.com/news Who will be next? Stay tuned to see! #WVCA #DinnerMeeting #JoinUs #BusinessDevelopment Commissioner Chris Switzer joined us to share project updates from Vigo County, giving our members valuable insight into the work shaping our counties future. We also honored our outgoing president, Don Nusbaum, whose leadership has propelled our organization forward. Don, thank you for your years of service and commitment! We’re proud to stand beside you as you receive this well-deserved recognition! Wabash Valley Contractors Association Honors Scholarship Recipients and Announces Member Awards2/22/2025
Terre Haute, IN – The Wabash Valley Contractors Association (WVCA) celebrated its members at the annual awards dinner, recognizing excellence within the industry and honoring outstanding students with scholarships. “As the Board President of WVCA, I am honored to recognize the dedication and achievements of our members and scholarship recipients,” stated John Collett. “Our industry thrives because of the commitment of individuals and companies that continue to invest in the future. Tonight, we celebrate those contributions and the next generation of industry leaders.” This year, Sycamore Engineering was honored with the prestigious Cornerstone Award, recognizing their progressive contributions within the construction industry. The President’s Award, the highest honor within the association, was awarded to Zach Wilhoyte for his exceptional support and dedication to the construction industry and the WVCA. The evening also featured the presentation of scholarships to outstanding students pursuing higher education. The 2025 WVCA Scholarship Awardees included:
Since its inception in 1999, the WVCA scholarship program has provided financial assistance to students in the Wabash Valley, supporting their academic and professional growth. The scholarships are made possible through membership fees, the annual golf outing in September, and the Christmas party. Over the past decade, WVCA has awarded more than $101,000 in scholarships to deserving students. The next round of scholarship applications is due on July 1, 2025. For applicant qualifications and the full application, visit www.wabashvalleycontractorsassociation.com/awards.html.   Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2024 Annual WVCA Christmas Party on Friday night. We are so grateful for our members, friends, and families who come together to celebrate each year. A special thank you to everyone who generously donated items for the raffle, and heartfelt appreciation to the board for organizing such a memorable event. Here’s to another fantastic year with WVCA!
 The Wabash Valley Contractors Association (WVCA) held an engaging dinner meeting last night featuring Nathan Christensen, the Athletic Director at Indiana State University (ISU). Christensen, who joined ISU in July, shared insights into his journey and his vision for the future of athletics at the university.
In his opening remarks, Christensen highlighted the importance of family, reflecting on his personal background and commitment to fostering a supportive environment for student-athletes. He emphasized the transformative impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on the collegiate sports landscape, explaining how it has reshaped priorities within athletic programs. Christensen outlined his key priorities, which include investing in student-athletes, enhancing facilities, and strengthening community ties. He expressed the significance of programming with local schools and the city, advocating for partnerships that can elevate both ISU and the surrounding community. Another crucial topic he touched upon was enrollment and its connection to athletic programs. Christensen emphasized that successful athletics can play a pivotal role in boosting enrollment figures, thereby contributing to the overall success of the university. He also shared moments of success, stressing the importance of preparedness and fundraising efforts to support ISU athletics. Christensen encouraged attendees to consider investments in the athletic program, noting that any contribution, regardless of size, is valuable from day one. He highlighted an upcoming Men’s Basketball kickoff event on November 7th, presented by RJL Solutions. “Sycamores Hoops Fest” will take place downtown from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and serve as a FREE event celebrating the start of the men’s basketball season. The evening concluded with a lively discussion, underscoring the potential for collaboration between the WVCA and ISU athletics to further enhance community engagement and support. Thank you to Nathan Christensen for his inspiring words and vision for the future of Indiana State University athletics! We look forward to continued partnerships that benefit both the university and our community. |
