C.E. Bernhauer Jr. Scholarship Winners

2024 Scholarship Winners

The Woodwork Institute’s C.E. Bernhauer Jr. Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships to these three outstanding students.

Christian Herman

Christian is a student from Paola, KS, that will be attending Pittsburg State University in Kansas to pursue a degree in Wood Product Manufacturing. He has been a member of the National Honor Society from 2022-2024 as well as a member of SkillsUSA and the FFA. Christian started a company in 2020 that creates woodworking projects, laser engraving and welding. In the last year, he has balanced these endeavors while adding employment at a local ranch. Christian plans to continue his woodworking company while he completes his college degree, with plans to expand his company into a large woodworking shop.

Elliott Natura

Elliott is a student from Park Ridge, IL, who will begin pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor this year.  He plans to focus on sustainability within the practice of residential architecture, after a career introduction program through UC Berkeley.  Elliott has taken leadership positions within high school clubs while actively involved on the tennis team and as a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo.  He has been successful in his educational and personal pursuits while taking employment positions whenever possible.

Linnea Carlson

Linnea is a student from Houston, TX, attending the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, SC.  She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural carpentry and plans to work in historic preservation.  Linnea completed an internship through the Manassas National Battlefield under the Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program where she focused on historic preservation projects in historic homes.  She has also completed an apprenticeship with the Black Creek Workshop, LLC, in Toano, Virginia in historic preservation and with the Architects of the Capitol, in Washington DC, which preserves and maintains the historic buildings, monuments, art and gardens on the Capitol campus. 

2023 Scholarship Winners

The Woodwork Institute’s C.E. Bernhauer Jr. Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships to two outstanding architectural millwork students. The following students received scholarships:

Juan Granados

Juan is studying Construction Management in the Applied Technology Department at Fresno City College. He participated in his high school’s Construction Management Academy and also had an industrial technology internship. These experiences helped him narrow down his career goals.

Eric Zyglocke

Eric is working toward a Bachelor of Applied Science in Architectural Carpentry with an emphasis in historic preservation at the American College of the Building Arts in Charleston, S.C. His interest in woodworking has grown during the past few years, while he was using mostly hand tools rather than power tools and machinery. His goal is to make a living from architectural carpentry.

2022 Scholarship Winners

The Woodwork Institute’s C.E. Bernhauer Jr. Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships to three outstanding architectural millwork students. The following students received scholarships:

Allison Van Houten

For the past four years, Allison has been a speech-language pathologist for Detroit Public Schools. After much reflection and 10 years of refinishing furniture as a hobby, she decided to embark on a new career in woodworking. She is the first woman to pursue the Woodwork Manufacturing Specialist apprenticeship and certification program registered through the U.S. Department of Labor. She will complete a four-year apprenticeship at Burke Architectural Millwork in Livonia, Michigan, while also completing extensive coursework at Schoolcraft College.

Claire Koettker

Claire is pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in architectural manufacturing management and technology at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. She is an active member of the Society of Architectural Woodworkers and serves as its event planner. She credits her high school woodworking classes and her participation in the national student organization, SkillsUSA, with fueling her passion for woodworking.

Nathan Dean Minuth

Nathan is studying architectural manufacturing management and technology at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. He earned the program’s Outstanding Student of the Year Award in 2022 and has held leadership positions at the Society of Architectural Woodworkers. Nathan began woodworking at a young age with his dad who is a cabinet maker. After graduation, he plans to work in the custom side of the industry.

2021 Scholarship Winners

The Woodwork Institute’s C.E. Bernhauer Jr. Scholarship Foundation has awarded scholarships to six outstanding architectural millwork students. The following students received scholarships:

Gage Davis

Gage is majoring in architectural manufacturing management and technology at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. In addition to making Dean’s List and serving as a student government senator, he is an active member of the student-led organization, Society of Architectural Woodworkers. Outside of his many student responsibilities, Gage also works as a part-time handyman. After graduation, he plans on becoming a draftsman or project manager.

Jacob Graff

Jacob is studying architectural manufacturing management and technology at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. His passion for woodworking began in middle school, and he excelled in his engineering design and drafting classes at London High School in Corpus Christi, Texas. While in high school, Jacob was a member of the American Association of Woodworkers and a volunteer at the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, where he helped design and rebuild animal enclosures.

Tyler Kleinsasser

Tyler is a graduate student at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, where he is studying for his Master of Science in construction engineering and management. In addition to maintaining a 4.0 GPA as an undergraduate and graduate student, he also serves as student government president and a resident advisor. He has already passed the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and has completed several internships in the field. By 2030, Tyler plans to start his own construction business and follow in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.

Claire Koettker

Claire is a sophomore at Pittsburg State University in Kansas. She is pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree in architectural manufacturing management and technology. She is also the event planner for the student-led organization, Society of Architectural Woodworkers. Claire credits her four years of high school woodworking classes and her participation in the national student organization, SkillsUSA, with fueling her passion for woodworking.

Deion Ortiz Martinez

Deion is majoring in advanced manufacturing technology at Santa Rosa Junior College in California. He is also a cabinet-maker apprentice at Myra Millwork. Deion grew up making wood projects with his grandfather, a carpenter, and was inspired by his work. His high school woodworking classes were also instrumental in shaping his career path. In the future, Deion plans on owning his own woodworking business.

Brandon Paleo

Brandon is enrolled at Texas Tech University, where he is studying for his Bachelor of Science degree in architecture. He earned the First Year Design Leadership Award for exemplary achievement and made the Dean’s List and President’s Honor List. He plans on graduating in May of 2023 and continuing on to graduate school. His dedication for the field stems from a passion for serving others.

Previous Scholarship Winners

Stewart Chipman

Stewart already works for Mission Bell, an architectural millwork firm. He began as an apprentice and has since moved into the office. He is pursuing an associate’s degree in order to become a full-time drafter.

Angelique Elia

Angelique is planning to be an architect who specializes in preservation and restoration. She has worked as an assistant at DLR Group and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of Washington. She ultimately plans to obtain a master’s degree.

Niles Wertz

During high school, Niles grew a woodworking hobby into a business and took architectural design classes. These interests have led him to pursue a degree in architecture at California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo, where he is currently a freshman.

Bryce Ahlers – $2,000

Bryce found his passion for woodworking his first year of high school. He ended up taking woodshop all four years and graduated from high school with a 3.9 GPA. He’s planning to take the four-year Wood Technology program at Pittsburg State University in Kansas.

Marianne Ganzer – $500

Marianne learned to love woodworking from her grandparents. She has spent her professional life repairing and restoring violins and is looking to increase her skill set to include architectural woodwork.

Cole Morgan – $1,500

Cole already has a bachelor’s in business administration and is attending the Wood Technology Center at Seattle Central College, where he has earned a reputation for an excellent work ethic. After receiving his associate degree, he hopes to eventually work in new home construction.

Moriah Ross – $2,500

Moriah is currently in the Wood Technology Program at Pittsburg State University with a minor in Business and has a 3.9 GPA. She is vice president of the Society of Architectural Woodworkers.

Katherine Roux – $1,000

Katherine Roux has a bachelor’s degree in fine art and design. She is planning to attend Seattle Central College to earn an associate degree in applied science in cabinetry so she can marry her art and design skills with cabinetry making.