BRPH Supports the Next Generation of Architects and Engineers by Awarding Seven College Scholarships

Melbourne, Fla, Sept. 27, 2022 – BRPH, a nationally ranked architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firm, announced today it has awarded seven college scholarships—ranging from $1,000 to $5,000— to deserving college students majoring in architecture or engineering.

The inaugural Andy Miller Scholarship was given to Jacob Nguyen, a senior undergraduate civil engineering student at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The $5,000 scholarship was created in honor of current BRPH employee, Andy Miller, vice president, chief engineer, principal, and Georgia Tech alumnus who celebrated his 40th anniversary with the firm in 2022. Miller is the longest-running employee of the company which was founded in 1964. The scholarship will be awarded annually to an engineering student at Georgia Tech pursuing a degree in civil engineering with a specialization in structural engineering.

Nguyen was selected from more than 100 applicants. In his application essay, Nguyen, naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Vietnam, described what inspired him to change his major from software engineering to civil/structural engineering.

“Visits to New York City and Toronto meant visiting landmarks like the Empire State Building and CN Tower, which ignited in me a desire to contribute to a monument or structure that would stand the test of time,” Nguyen recounted. “After a fire damaged a critical interstate bridge in Atlanta, I would pause to watch crews working day and night to replace the decks in less than two months. I wanted to know how to fix it and how to make it stronger to prevent a future disaster. A few years later when the condo tower in Surfside, Florida, collapsed due to water penetration and corrosion, my first thought was how to build it back to prevent this damage and protect the people living there.”

Nguyen felt especially honored to be named the first recipient of the Andy Miller Scholarship and was able to meet virtually with Miller as well as Eric Bradford, BPRH’s national practice leader for structural engineering and principal.

“I am honored to be chosen as the recipient of this scholarship, which will make a significant contribution to my expenses in my final semesters at Georgia Tech,” said Nguyen. “Winning this scholarship also boosts my confidence and tells me that I am on the right path for my future as a structural engineer.”

Earlier this summer, six scholarships of $1,000 were awarded to minority graduate and undergraduate students through BRPH’s Future Achievers Scholarship program, now in its third year. These recipients, too, had the opportunity to meet virtually with BRPH leadership in their respective disciplines.

Future Achievers Scholarship recipients include:

  • Ephraim James, an architecture student at Florida International University
  • Daniela Pujala, an architecture student at Florida International University
  • Melanie Garcia, an architecture student at the University of Florida
  • Mercy Sammy, a civil/structural engineering student at Tennessee State University
  • Allanah Matthews, an electrical engineering student at the University of Michigan
  • Jordan Wilkerson, a mechanical engineering student at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

“Our firm’s culture is built upon mentorship and a commitment to training the next generation of architects and engineers, so we are proud to expand our scholarship program this year with the addition of the Andy Miller Georgia Tech Scholarship and to continue to help minority students achieve their dreams through the Future Achievers Scholarship,” said Janie McDermott, BRPH vice president, chief human resources officer and principal. “We applaud our scholarship recipients for 2023 and hope to see all seven of these bright young people working at BRPH one day soon.”

ABOUT BRPH – BRPH is a technically focused, creative AEC firm dedicated to solving clients’ most challenging problems through architecture, engineering, design, interior design, construction and mission solutions. The firm partners with mission-driven clients in the aerospace, defense, manufacturing, commercial, education, entertainment and hospitality markets to identify gaps in their program delivery, then plans, designs, manages and constructs facilities and solutions that get the job done – beautifully and intelligently. Founded in 1964 to support America’s space program, BRPH is consistently ranked among the nation’s top firms and has completed a wide range of projects across the United States and throughout the world. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, BRPH operates regional offices in Orlando; South Florida; Atlanta; Charleston, South Carolina; Huntsville, Alabama; Seattle; Phoenix; and Palmdale, California. For more information, visit brph.com.