ELECTRI International and the Wisconsin Chapter NECA are proud to announce that Violette Simon, a student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has been awarded the Gerald Schulz Scholarship in Construction Engineering & Management.

The scholarship, established through a personal $100,000 gift from Gerald “Jerry” Schulz and his wife Mary, was created to encourage future engineers and managers to explore careers in the electrical construction industry. Jerry Schulz, former Vice President of Electrical Engineering and Project Development at Michels Power Division, was deeply involved in the Wisconsin Chapter NECA throughout his career, serving as Chapter President, Governor, and NECA District IV Vice President.

The Wisconsin Chapter NECA selects the scholarship recipient each year from the pool of applicants.

Simon has been actively involved in the Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC) as a member of the University of Wisconsin–Madison team this year. In addition to ECIC, she is involved with Engineers for a Sustainable World, studied renewable energy in Prague, interned with Kimley-Horn Consulting, and worked with SRF Consulting as a traffic engineering intern on projects across the Midwest.

“I have learned so much about the construction and electrical contracting industry through the Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC),” said Simon. “Our team put together an estimate, construction schedule, and BIM model for the electrical scope of a large medical research facility over the course of this semester. Working alongside my peers and seeking guidance from industry professionals helped me understand the electrical contracting industry, and how it connects to the construction industry as a whole.”

Simon added, “I’m so grateful for this scholarship because it will help me pursue my goal of earning a master’s degree in construction management at UW-Madison under the guidance of Dr. Awad Hanna.”

Congratulations to Violette on this well-deserved recognition.