The foundation is planning to award $42,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers in the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical industries. Scholarships vary in value, ranging from $1,000 to $6,000. The application deadline is March 31.

“The vision of the Nexstar Legacy Foundation is to inspire people to discover the prestige, earning power, and stability of careers in the plumbing, HVAC, and electrical industries by being the leading resource for information on careers and training, as well as a source of financial aid,” said scholarship committee chair Julie Wieman of MacGregor Plumbing and Heating (Harbor Springs, Mich.). “This year we are pleased to offer four additional scholarships thanks to the generosity of our members and vendor partners.”

Scholarships will be awarded to students based upon merit, chosen by a scholarship selection committee comprised of industry leaders both inside and outside of the Nexstar network.

The largest award is the $6,000 Frank J. Blau Jr. scholarship. Blau, a retired plumbing contractor from Milwaukee, founded the Nexstar Network (formerly identified as Contractors 2000) in 1992.

Approximately $10,000 in scholarships will be awarded in memory of master plumber John J. MacGregor of Harbor Springs, Mich.

The $5,000 Barnett scholarship is named after one of the nation’s leading distributors of over 40,000 plumbing, electrical, and HVAC products.

The $5,000 George Brazil Scholarship honors the creator of one of the plumbing industry’s largest franchise operations, George Brazil Services.

The $2,000 Jill Pomroy Reed Woman in Business scholarship is available to women who are planning a marketing career in the plumbing, HVAC, or electrical industries.

Donations are accepted for existing scholarships and the creation of new, named scholarships, at a minimum $5,000 level. For more information, call Renée Cardarelle at (651) 789-8518 or visit www.nexstarfoundation.org.

Publication date: 3/5/2012