The Contractors Association of West Virginia visits WVU Tech campus and awards a scholarship

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Members of the Contractors Association of West Virginia gathered on the campus of West Virginia Institute of Technology in Beckley on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, to hold its quarterly Board of Directors meeting and to tour the campus.

According to information posted to the CAWV website, the group is the only full-service organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the construction industry in the Mountain State.

James Dailey, president of W. Harley Miller and CAWV member, said being at WVU Tech was a good opportunity to further part of the group’s mission.

“The Contractor’s Association has been making pushes to expand educational opportunities in the state for students to get into the construction fields,” said Dailey. “So, when the opportunity arose for us to come down here, tour the campus, tour the facility, and get to meet some of the students and see things in action, we didn’t hesitate.”

Dailey said CAWV awards scholarships each year to encourage students to pursue degrees in the construction field.

Zachary Harrah, a WVU Tech senior and civil engineering student, was the recipient of the top award earlier this year.

Harrah said the organization awarded him a scholarship of $7,500 to help cover his college expenses.

“It made a really big difference in what I do for my financials for my last year in school. It really kind of took the burden of my financial side of my education this year off my shoulders,” said Harrah. “I could really focus on my last year in school and getting a steady job set up and really focus on the classes I was taking.”

The luncheon at WVU Tech also drew representatives of the Academy of Careers and Technology centers in the region.

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