Congratulations to Our 2025 Scholarship Winners!
The National Corrugated Steel Pipe Association (NCSPA) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 scholarship program. Each year, NCSPA awards scholarships to exceptional students pursuing degrees related to civil engineering, construction management, or other programs that advance the future of the infrastructure industry.
These scholarships are part of NCSPA’s ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of professionals in the stormwater and drainage sector. After careful review of a competitive applicant pool, the following students have been selected for their academic excellence, passion for the industry, and commitment to making a difference:
- Robert E. Hall Memorial Scholarship Co-Winner: Nathan Zick, Milwaukee School of Engineering
- Robert E. Hall Memorial Scholarship Co-Winner: Valentina Celis, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Doyle F. Johnson Memorial Scholarship Winner: Payton Rude, North Dakota State University
- Donald L. Bibey Memorial Scholarship for Diversity Winner: Maximiliano Hernandez, Clemson University
Meet the Scholars Behind the Spotlight
We caught up with each of our 2025 scholarship winners to learn more about their goals, inspirations, and what this recognition means to them. Here’s what they had to say:
Nathan Zick, Milwaukee School of Engineering
- What are your long-term academic goals? Where do you see yourself after graduation, and how will your studies translate into your desired career path?
My long term goal is to earn a Master’s degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in environmental and water resources engineering. Later, I plan to earn my Professional Engineer license, so I can practice engineering in the area of stormwater and floodplain management. My goal as a civil engineer is to create innovative and practical designs to facilitate a growing and changing society, while protecting and enriching the many environmental resources we have. - What inspired you to apply for this scholarship, and what does receiving it mean to you?
I learned about this scholarship through my college. When I looked into it, I was inspired to apply by the many unique ways that corrugated steel pipe is being implemented. As an engineer, I always appreciate classic technology being applied in innovative ways, something that is exemplified by NCSPA. - The field of engineering and construction is constantly evolving. Describe a specific challenge you’d like to tackle in your future career, and how you envision innovative applications of CSP playing a role in your approach.
One of the major changes that I see in the future is the evolution of land use characteristics. Younger generations are increasingly interested in urban revival and low-impact developments. Green infrastructure, brownfield redevelopment, aging urban infrastructure, and population shifts away from suburbs would all significantly alter our built landscape and pose a variety of new challenges necessitating new solutions. - What advice or encouragement would you give to other students who are considering careers in engineering, construction, or related fields?
The biggest piece of advice that I would give to fellow or prospective students in civil engineering is to get out there. Joining student groups, attending career fairs and professional development events, job shadowing, going to site visits and conferences – anything you can do to make connections and learn outside of your classwork is incredibly important. - Who or what sparked your interest in your chosen field of study? Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your academic path?
My interest in civil engineering was sparked by my engineering teacher in high school, Mr. Gitter. In his classes, I learned more about the engineering design and development process, and I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in engineering. As a college student, all of my professors at MSOE have been very influential and have provided amazing guidance in the classroom and in my career prospects. - Describe your ideal work environment or project in your chosen field. What kind of impact do you hope to make on the world through your career?
The ideal work environment for me in the future would be partially in an office doing design work, and partially out in the communities where those projects are – doing client outreach or research work. Through my career, I want to enrich the natural and built environments to better society through the design of water systems. From drinking water to wastewater treatment and urban runoff management to innovative irrigation practices, water is central to our survival and success. Through my work, I want to further our progress in these areas for generations to come.
Valentina Celis, Georgia Institute of Technology
- What are your long-term academic goals? Where do you see yourself after graduation, and how will your studies translate into your desired career path?
I plan to complete my Master’s in Structural Engineering, Mechanics, and Materials. After graduation, I plan to move to South Florida and begin work as a bridge engineer. Through my current studies, I’m learning about the specific design processes for different materials and structures which will prepare me for my full-time job. - What inspired you to apply for this scholarship, and what does receiving it mean to you?
Through my research as an undergraduate, I felt drawn to this scholarship and wished to share my experience with material properties and their functionality. Winning this scholarship feels like a true testament to the research I participated in and its importance within structural engineering. - The field of engineering and construction is constantly evolving. Describe a specific challenge you’d like to tackle in your future career, and how you envision innovative applications of CSP playing a role in your approach.
With the challenges we will face in the future brought on by climate change, engineers must design for the future considering exacerbated weather conditions and how that will affect structural stability. As an engineer, I hope through material selection to be able to design for these conditions. Using materials like CSP will allow us to design and build resilient structures. - What advice or encouragement would you give to other students who are considering careers in engineering, construction, or related fields?
ASK QUESTIONS! There’s so much to learn across all these industries and by being curious you get to learn so much about each field. - Who or what sparked your interest in your chosen field of study? Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your academic path?
My dad has always been my inspiration. His entire family has worked within the construction and engineering industry. When I began taking STEM courses like Calculus and Physics, he was my biggest supporter whenever I struggled. He motivated me to keep asking questions which eventually led to my finding civil engineering. When the time came to select universities, he was also the first one to push me to follow my dream of studying out of state, here I am four years later at the university with the best civil engineering program. - Describe your ideal work environment or project in your chosen field. What kind of impact do you hope to make on the world through your career?
I’m very tied to my community back home and I believe that is why I have enjoyed my internships so much, because I get to see the direct impact of new infrastructure on my community. My ideal work environment would be to continue growing my community and increasing its connectivity to neighboring communities. Through this, I hope to foster collaboration and accessibility and eventually further this mission through the global development of developing communities.
Payton Rude, North Dakota State University
- What are your long-term academic goals? Where do you see yourself after graduation, and how will your studies translate into your desired career path?
Currently, I am planning to continue my undergraduate degree in civil engineering at North Dakota State University. I hope to complete all my courses at a high standard while also participating in organizations that are related to the field. Following graduation, I hope to join a structural consulting firm. I would like to work with structural steel and its applications in the construction industry. My studies will certainly be incorporated into this field due to the availability of structural steel and other structural courses that NDSU offers. - What inspired you to apply for this scholarship, and what does receiving it mean to you?
I was inspired to apply for this scholarship after my advisor and the CCEE department at NDSU brought it up to me. I felt that this was a great scholarship for me to apply to because of my interest in the construction field. Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me and I am beyond appreciative. This scholarship will allow me to continue my studies and involvement in extracurricular activities without the worry of the cost of tuition. I am extremely grateful for the NCSPA. - The field of engineering and construction is constantly evolving. Describe a specific challenge you’d like to tackle in your future career, and how you envision innovative applications of CSP playing a role in your approach.
In my future career, I hope to take on many challenges as an engineer. One specific aspiration of mine is to work on the design for a new sports stadium. Stadiums need to be designed to hold large capacities of people while maintaining safety and a clean facility. Corrugated steel pipe is something that I could certainly employ the use of in a project like this. First, it can be used in a vertical application to support the structure. It can also be used as piping for a water retention system, like its use in US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Corrugated steel pipe is surely something that I can incorporate into my designs in the future. - What advice or encouragement would you give to other students who are considering careers in engineering, construction, or related fields?
A piece of advice that I would give to students considering careers in engineering and construction is to have a good work ethic. By showing you are willing to work hard on projects, school, and other activities, you will be rewarded. I would also encourage students in these fields to join organizations that align with their respective studies. Through these organizations, you get experience with what you might potentially be doing in the field, and they look good on your resume. Leadership skills are also a valuable thing that you can get out of clubs and activities which will help in your future career. - Who or what sparked your interest in your chosen field of study? Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your academic path?
My dad has certainly been a role model for me and influenced me to enter the field of civil engineering. He graduated from NDSU with a civil engineering degree and now works for a company that provides structural steel. As a young child, I was always exposed to construction projects where his company’s steel was being used when he would check sites. Being around the field for most of my life is surely a driving factor to my decision to study civil engineering. This is also why I am most interested in the structural and construction fields. - Describe your ideal work environment or project in your chosen field. What kind of impact do you hope to make on the world through your career?
In the future, I hope to work for a structural consulting firm. I would like to work with a flexible firm that is willing to work for and support me in my career and life. As I mentioned earlier, designing stadiums is something that I would like to strive for in my career. Apart from this, I hope I can make an impact in my community and others through my career. I want to improve upon and build infrastructure in communities to encourage economic growth and the happiness of its citizens. I hope my impact will be felt around the world because of my awareness and support of people that will one day use the space I design.
Maximiliano Hernandez, Clemson University
- What are your long-term academic goals? Where do you see yourself after graduation, and how will your studies translate into your desired career path?
After earning my Bachelor of science in Construction science and management from Clemson University. I plan on working with Holder Construction for 5-6 years. Starting as a field coordinator and, hopefully, working my way up to become a superintendent. With my education on how construction is logistically done, my education will help me coordinate construction projects more efficiently so that projects can be finished on time. Plus, the training I received on how to read drawing, plans, and specs will help me better understand whatever project I will be working on; which of course will also help me better coordinate and communicate with subcontractors. - What advice or encouragement would you give to other students who are considering careers in engineering, construction, or related fields?
Any career that is intertwined with the construction industry can be extremely rewarding, but tough, so it’s important to remember to look at the positive contribution it will give to the community. You will help build homes that people can call “home” for generations, and create more jobs by constructing the building where those people will work and have their own successful career. - Who or what sparked your interest in your chosen field of study? Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your academic path?
For me, it was my father that inspired me to choose construction as my career. He is a superintendent, and he would always get me to help him whenever I had the free time and I learned a lot from him. Every time I’m in the truck with him, he will always point out the houses and apartments that he helped build. I always get a sense of pride, knowing that my father has such a positive influence in my hometown and I want to do the same.
Inspired to Follow in Their Footsteps? Ready to Invest in Your Future?
At the NCSPA, we’re proud to support the next generation of engineers, innovators, and infrastructure leaders. If you’re passionate about civil engineering, land surveying, or the corrugated steel pipe industry, one of our scholarships could help you take the next step.
🎓 Robert E. Hall Memorial Scholarship
For undergraduate students pursuing a degree in civil engineering or a related field.
🎓 Donald L. Bibey Memorial Scholarship for Diversity
For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in engineering or land surveying, with an emphasis on supporting diversity in the industry.
🎓 Doyle F. Johnson Memorial Scholarship
For undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in civil engineering with a focus on the corrugated steel pipe industry.
The 2026 application cycle will be open soon! Visit ncspa.org/NERI to explore eligibility requirements and get started on your application today. Your future starts here!
Past Winners
2024 Scholarship Winners
2023 Scholarship Winners