The RCI Foundation Canada and RCI-IIBEC Foundation are excited to announce the eight winners of its 2023–2024 Robert W. Lyons and RCI Lewis W. Newlan academic scholarships. The $5000 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 $2500 and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students—again for studies in construction or building sciences, architecture, or engineering. Altogether, the 2023–2024 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

Perla Cornelio is an undergraduate studying architecture at the University of Texas-Arlington. She is from Dallas, Texas and plans on pursuing a masters in architecture.

Fatima Oriane Sow is studying architecture at the University of Virginia. She is originally from Brooklyn, NY. Her activities and awards include serving as a 2023 global summer intern at the High Atlas Foundation and recipient of the Pierre and Tana Matisse Scholarship (UNCF) 2023, the Horatio Alger 2021 National Scholarship recipient, the 2021 New York Regional Award in Scholastic Art and Writing (two Silver Keys), and the Dedalus Foundation 2021 scholarship. Her art exhibitions have included the Bronx Museum as well as the Met Museum.

Juan Perez from Aurora, Nebraska, is studying mechanical and civil engineering at Doane University in Crete, Nebraska. Perez is active with Delta Kappa Pi as vice-president, the Entrepreneurship Club president, Doane University Football, Aurora Legion Baseball coach, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and the Cardinal Key Honor Society.

Tyler Seiwert is an undergraduate studying construction management at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Seiwert is from Wichita, Kansas, and pursues extracurricular interests in physical fitness and automotive repair.

RCI Lewis W. Newlan Recipients

Cesar Bedolla Hurtado from East Wenatchee, Washington, is a master in civil engineering student at Washington State University. He is a member of ASCE, past president of the WSU American Society of Civil Engineers, and team captain of the Design Build Institute of America.

Hannah Power from Newark, Delaware, is completing her doctorate in structural engineering at the University of Delaware. Power is active with Engineers in Action, Engineers without Borders, and American Society of Civil Engineers.

Marcus Puste is from Taylor, Michigan, and is completing his master in architecture at the University of Detroit-Mercy. His interests include fabrication, living building design, furniture design, and music composition. Additionally, Puste serves as a School of Architecture + Community Development Shop assistant for the Material Investigation Lab and as graphic design director of the Dichotomy Student Journal.

Caleb Springfield

Caleb Springfield is a master’s student in architecture at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. Springfield, from Rogers, Minnesota, is an assistant director for Freedom By Design and a member of NOMAS (National Organization of Men Against Sexism),

Since these scholarships were established in 2018, the foundations has donated $185,000 to support 52 students. Thanks 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 or contact Foundations Development Officer Rick Gardner at 919-859-0742 or rgardner@iibec.org.

Albert Duwyn, RRC, F-IIBEC, longtime chair of the RCI Foundation Canada, has announced his retirement, and Dr. Ralph Paroli has been elected the new chair of the RCI Foundation Canada.

At the beginning of April, Duwyn announced his retirement from Rimkus Consulting Group (formerly IRC Building Sciences), which he founded in 1983 in Mississauga, Ontario. “The success of IRC Building Sciences is a result of the hard work, loyalty, and contributions by its many employees,” said Duwyn. “I am proud of the support I received from the employees when I had the opportunity to sell the company (and become part of Rimkus Consulting Group).”

Asked about his retirement plans, Duwyn replied, “I plan on spending more time with my family, especially my grandchildren, playing more golf, and working on getting in better physical shape. My greatest success (in life) has been my marriage and family. I am fortunate to have had their support and excited to share in the growth of our grandchildren.”

Reflecting on his favorite experiences with IIBEC, Duwyn replied “My favorite memory is the establishment of the Lizard Lounge at convention. My second favorite is visiting it every year.”

Duwyn helped to establish the RCI Foundation Canada in 2010. “The success of RCI Foundation Canada is a result of the cumulative efforts of the IIBEC Board of Directors and the generosity of the donors,” Duwyn said. “We are all proud of the money raised and spent on supporting research and other initiatives.”

Duwyn’s advice to Paroli is to “continue to be the person he already is” now that Paroli is the chair of the foundation.

Mike Blanchette, F-IIBEC, RRC, RRO, chair of the RCI-IIBEC Foundation and longtime friend of Duwyn, said, “We have lost a true and successful businessman to retirement. I am happy for him, but he will be missed by all.”