The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) announced today the three recipients of its 2021 Scholarship Awards for undergraduate students:

• First-Place Winner: Albert Hotzel, Kansas State University, $12,000, sponsored by Stella-Jones Corporation.
• Second-Place Winner:, Madison Lopez, Saint Joseph’s University, $6,000, sponsored by: Railroad Construction Co.
• Third-Place Winner: Margaret Konczak, St. Ambrose University, $3,000, sponsored by: Progress Rail.

The NRC has awarded nearly $250,000 in tuition assistance for undergraduates since the awards were started in 2013.

The association awards the scholarships each year to provide higher-education tuition assistance for children or grandchildren of employees of NRC member companies. Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students at an accredited two-year college offering an associate degree or an accredited four-year college or university offering a bachelor’s degree.

“The NRC and our Scholarship Committee were overwhelmed by the quantity and quality of the applications this year,” says Zach Hansen, assistant vice president-sales, with Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc. and chairman of the NRC Scholarship Committee. “Congratulations to our three winners – to Albert, Madison and Margaret – for their outstanding applications and exemplary undergraduate performance.”

The NRC is a U.S. trade association that advances the mutual interests of railway contractors and suppliers who construct, maintain and supply freight railroads and rail-transit and passenger lines. Founded in 1978, the NRC connects members with other railway industry professionals and government officials and policy makers. The NRC collaborates with its members, government, and industry leaders to create a positive business climate and to make railway construction and maintenance safer and more efficient.