Neal Communities, southwest Florida’s premier, private homebuilder, is donating $25,000 to Florida Gulf Coast University to fund a scholarship to the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering Construction Management program. The donation will be given in increments of $5,000 per year for the next five years, and it will endow a $1,000 per year scholarship in perpetuity.
There are currently more than 300 students in the program, which began five years ago and offers a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, emphasizing the application of new technology, innovation and industry-proven tools and procedures. The first class of around 30 students graduated last May, and around 45 are expected to graduate this year.
“Our program is designed to attract students from the five-county region, offer excellent education, great internships and help them secure multiple job offers when they graduate so they stay in the area,” said Angela Kunkle, director of development for FGCU. “Neal Communities is investing in our university and our students, promoting the construction industry and building those relationships for future job opportunities.”
The five-counties FGCU primarily serves are Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades, and Lee, although admission is open to students from any location. Within the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, the Stock Development Department of Construction Management has 5-7 full-time faculty and employs adjunct faculty from local construction companies to provide real-world training.
“We appreciate that donors like Neal Communities are seeing the value in this program and investing early to help the program grow,” said Kunkle. “We really want these students to graduate and be successful in the construction industry in the local area, and we know our partners like Neal Communities want that, too. It’s refreshing and exciting to build these partnerships.”
“This is an investment in the future of the construction industry in Southwest Florida,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “This scholarship will benefit hardworking students and help them get their degrees in Construction Management. We look forward to meeting these students and being part of the future of this program.”
Neal Communities has a philanthropic culture and a core belief that “Where You Live Matters.” The latest giving is part of more than $8 million Neal Communities has donated to local charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.
