Evan Andrews and Thaddeus Luke Receive Associated General Contractors of New York State Scholarships
“I’ve always wanted to be in construction and I’ve never thought about anything else."
Utica University Construction Management majors Evan Andrews ’27 and Thaddeus Luke ’27 have been awarded scholarships by the Associated General Contractors of New York State (AGC NYS), recognizing their academic achievement and potential as future leaders in the construction industry.
Awarded to New York residents pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in construction management, civil engineering, or construction technology, AGC NYS scholarships reflect students’ commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and the construction profession.
“This is my third year receiving the scholarship. I’m really grateful,” Luke says. “I’ve always wanted to be in construction and I’ve never thought about anything else. Coming from an organization like AGC, (the scholarship) shows how much opportunity there is within the industry. It’s really nice to see how committed they are and how much they’re willing to help the generation coming up.”
For Andrews and Luke, the recognition also affirms the hands-on education and industry-focused preparation they have received at Utica University – experiences that have positioned them for success in the field.
This summer, Andrews completed an internship with John W. Danforth Company, a mechanical contractor in Tonawanda, NY, while Luke interned with Tioga Construction in Herkimer, NY. Andrews participated in large-scale rooftop air conditioning installation projects and contributed to the demolition of the old Highmark Stadium, the previous home of the Buffalo Bills. Luke balanced administrative responsibilities with hands-on field experience, including structural steel installation.
"I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without not only the internship experience itself, but also the preparation and the push from our faculty to make the most of that opportunity,” Andrews says. “I’ve just learned and grown so much since the first summer.”
Andrews and Luke will be featured in the AGC NYS Cornerstone Magazine this fall.
