Army Veteran Wins $8K Scholarship Days After Becoming a Dad

A new father and U.S. Army veteran is proving that determination knows no timeline.

Nicholas Rogers, a civil engineering student at Marshall University, received the top $8,000 scholarship from the Contractors Association of West Virginia Scholarship Foundation this month. What makes his achievement even more remarkable is that he began pursuing his degree mere days after welcoming his son into the world.

The CAWV Scholarship Foundation awarded $38,000 total to nine West Virginia students this year based on academic performance, leadership, work experience, and commitment to the construction industry. Rogers stood out among an exceptional pool of applicants.

"I want to thank CAWV for its continued support of young engineering students as they grow into the next generation of leaders and innovators," Rogers said. He added that the relationships he has built with Association leaders have been invaluable as someone who recently moved to West Virginia.

Rogers says his drive comes from a desire to expand his technical expertise and make a real impact in his community. His journey shows how veterans transition their leadership skills from military service to building careers that strengthen their communities.

Why This Inspires

Rogers represents thousands of veterans who bring discipline, leadership, and commitment to civilian careers. His choice to start school days after becoming a father shows the kind of dedication that builds strong communities. West Virginia is investing in people like Rogers who want to give back to their new home state.

The Foundation also awarded $30,000 to eight additional students, including first-time recipients of newly established scholarships. Scholarship Foundation Chairman Jason Hunter noted that every applicant this year demonstrated impressive academic records and leadership abilities, with some already gaining hands-on industry experience.

These students represent the next generation tackling West Virginia's infrastructure needs while building rewarding careers close to home.