| Scholarship Recipients |
2025 Scholarship RecipientsIn 2025, the WIA Education Committee and Board of Directors awarded a total of $24,500 in scholarships to 19 college students continuing their education in the woodworking industry. 
Richard Berthiaume, North Branch, MNHennepin TechFor my 19th birthday I received a handmade furniture piece from a friend's grandfather. He had made the piece in his garage shop. I thought it was the coolest thing! I knew then that I wanted to become a cabinet maker. When the opportunity to attend the program at Hennepin Technical College came about, I jumped at the chance. I love this work and I find it very satisfying. I can't wait to keep learning and creating more! 
Brady Cook, Silver Lake, KSPittsburg StateMy name is Brady Cook and I am going into my junior year at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. I am very involved in my major's student organization, Saw Club. While being in Saw Club I have had the opportunity to go to AWI Spring Leadership Conferences and IWF in Atlanta. As I am in school, I am also working and averaging 25 hours a week to pay for tuition and rent. The opportunity to accept this scholarship is something that I am grateful for. This industry is truly amazing. 
Tyler Cook, Pittsburg, KSPittsburg StateMy name is Tyler Cook and I am about to enter my Junior year at Pittsburg State University. I have always had a passion for building with wood and being hands on. At my high school, we were fortunate enough to have a woodshop and this is where I fell in love with woodworking. If it weren't for my shop teacher, I wouldn't have the opportunity of being in the woodworking industry. I am eager to learn more and hone in my skills at Pittsburg State University. 
Sarah-Maude Couture, Val-des-Sources, QCENMEI have always been passionate about manual work and that is what brought me to the School of Furniture and Cabinetmaking in 2022. I am now in my third year, and I will continue my studies in this field with a Professional Study Diploma for next year. I have always managed to keep a good balance between studies and sports and that is what brought me several distinctions. 
Sang Cung, Lewisville, TXPittsburg StateSang is heading into his fourth year at Pittsburg State University. Ever since beginning his first year in woodworking as a high school freshman, his interest and skills in woodworking kept growing, and he’s continued into college with the same mindset. He will be heading into his fourth internship at KRG Enterprise as an engineering intern and is looking forward to the experience and knowledge they have within the woodworking industry. 
Caroline DePauw, Hopkins, MNHennepin TechCaroline DePauw just finished her first year at Hennepin Technical College in the Cabinetmaking program and will be completing her last semester this fall. She has loved woodworking and working with her hands since taking shop classes in high school. She plans to work at a cabinet shop after graduation with the ultimate goal of opening her own shop. 
Mia Epler, Winnipeg, MBRed River College PolytechnicMia is finishing her Cabinetry and Woodworking program at Red River College Polytechnic. Mia's passion for woodworking first sparked as a kid when her father and her rebuilt the deck in their backyard. From then on, she could always be found doing renovations with her father or spending hours designing and building projects in her spare time. Mia's passion for her trade grows everyday and with every new skill she learns. Mia plans to get a Red Seal in Cabinetmaking and develop the skills to work in custom millwork. 
Gannon Friess, Pittsburg, KSPittsburg StateMy name is Gannon Friess I will be starting my sophomore year at Pittsburg State University next fall. I’m from a small town in Southeast Kansas called Parsons where I spent summers working general contracting. I found wood working to be a perfect way for me to continue to work with my hands while also pushing myself to overcome unique challenges every day! Lane Harne, Minneapolis, MNHennepin TechMy name is Lane Harne and I’m going on to my second year at Hennepin tech for cabinetry. I have always enjoyed building things because it gives me a sense of accomplishment to see the finished product. After looking for jobs to get me into this career field, I learned that Hennepin Tech had a program to learn the skills I have been wanting to learn. I’m excited for my second year in the program, and very excited to see where my degree takes me. 
Matthew Jacobson, Rogers, MNHennepin TechHi my name is Matthew Jacobson. I am going into my second year of the Cabinetry and Wood Product Design program at Hennepin Technical College. I have always enjoyed working with wood and working with my hands as well. My passion started very young when I was helping my dad and grandpa with small little projects around the house. I hope to have my own business in the future selling custom wood products and cabinets as well. 
Jaczin Kelvington, Gardner, KSPittsburg StateI'm Jaczin Kelvington, I'm a double major at Pittsburg State University studying Wood Product Manufacturing and Construction Management, Emphasis: Residential. I added the second major in the 2024 - 2025 school year to help give me a better understanding of everything woodworking. Striving to achieve more knowledge to become the best I possibly can in my field. I believe this will help give me a unique perspective within the industry, allowing me to understand more about every project and how it should come together start to finish, maintaining excellent quality once complete. Always making sure to fix any mistakes along the way, learn from them, and understand different ways to overcome challenges. 
Maxim Leduc, Montréal, QCENMEMaxim grew up surrounded by heritage architecture, which inspired her to pursue a degree in architecture with a specialization in heritage conservation. Wanting to engage more directly with the material aspect of preservation, she is now studying woodworking in Montreal, with the goal of focusing on wood conservation in the future. Bridging academic knowledge with traditional craft, Maxim is passionate about preserving cultural legacy through thoughtful and skilled craftsmanship. 
Ryan Loera, Wilmington, CACerritos CollegeDrawn to woodworking for its unique blend of artistic expression, intricate challenge, and demanding focus, Ryan is currently pursuing a major in Furniture Making and Design at Cerritos College. He is fascinated by the process of transforming raw materials into functional art and is dedicated to honing the skills necessary to create exceptional pieces. He also aspires to share his passion and expertise by teaching woodworking, making this rewarding craft accessible to a wider audience. 
Emile Morin, Montréal, QCENMEMy name is Emile Morin, and I’m a designer-woodworker from Quebec City, Canada with a deep passion for furniture, hands-on craftsmanship, and design. After earning a bachelor’s degree in product design from the Université Laval in Quebec City, I felt the need to expand my technical skills. That’s what led me to pursue a diploma in woodworking and cabinetmaking at the École nationale du meuble et de l’ébénisterie, allowing me to combine creative thinking with precision craftsmanship. 
Brandy Overholt, Eldorado, WIFox Valley Technical CollegeHello my name is Brandy Overholt. I found my passion for wood working after I retired from 21 years of military service. I enjoyed the ability to design and build furniture that functioned better for my family, and fit within our lifestyle. Unfortunately, my limited knowledge made it hard to build what I really wanted to. I went looking for a place and teachers who could help me pursue different techniques and teach me what I needed to know to be successful. I found the perfect program at Fox Valley Technical College. My teachers are amazing people that have guided me, and helped show me my potential. With their guidance I know that I have a great future in the wood working industry. I am very grateful for the opportunity they have given me. 
Hannah Reilly, Wichita, KSPittsburg StateHannah Reilly is preparing to enter her third year as a student at Pittsburg State University. She has always had a profound love of woodworking due to her many years in 4-H in Wichita, Kansas, and is very grateful to have discovered this program at Pittsburg State University. She is excited to see how she can continue to grow in her professional life and within the wood product manufacturing industry. 
Trevor Shanely, Silver Lake, KSPittsburg StateHi, I am Trevor Shanley and am attending Pitt State in the fall of 2025 as a freshman. I am so excited to attend and pursue my passion and a career in woodworking. I will be majoring in Wood Product Manufacturing and will plan on pursuing a custom furniture occupation after I graduate. 
Raphaël Smith Bujold, Victoriaville, QCENMEI joined l’École Nationale du meuble et de l’ébénisterie 3 years ago. Since then, I have had the chance to create, design and fabricate multiple woodworking projects during classes and after classes too. This time spent in the workshop accentuated my passion for woodworking and continues to do so every day. My dream is to have my own workshop one day and have my own woodworking company! I would love to create original furniture for client that allow me to use my talents and my creativity. 
Osianna Ward, Mulberry, KSPittsburg StateI’m Osianna Ward, a senior at Pittsburg State University studying wood product manufacturing. I grew up learning woodworking and construction from my mom, which inspired my passion for building and creating. I chose this program because it felt like a natural fit, and while I’m still exploring my career path, I’m excited to find a job that aligns with what I love doing most. PREVIOUS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTSLearn MoreAre you a student currently studying or interested in studying woodworking in college?If so, the Wood Industry Association (WIA) is here to help. Every year, we award scholarships to college students pursuing studies in wood technology, machinery, and related fields. 
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