George J. Tamaro Civil Engineering Scholarships Awarded at Gala Fundraising Dinner. Event Raises $110,000 for the Scholarship Fund
The 11th Annual DFI Educational Trust Gala Fundraising Dinner on November 3, 2016, at Terrace On The Park in Flushing Meadows Park, N.Y., was attended by a record-breaking 168 guests and raised more than $110,000. Proceeds from the dinner benefit the newly-established George J. Tamaro Manhattan College Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund.
The first Tamaro scholarships were presented to two students at Manhattan College by Zac Curanovic P.E., Underpinning & Foundation Skanska, Trust board member and chair of the scholarship drive.
Alexa Raffaniello is graduating with her undergraduate degree in civil engineering in May 2017 and will be pursuing a master’s degree from Manhattan College in geotechnical engineering. Raffaniello is involved in ASCE and is currently leading the effort to begin a DFI Student Chapter at Manhattan College. She plans to begin her career in geotechnical engineering and pursue a P.E. license.
Felipe Demelo expects to receive his B.S. in civil engineering in May 2017. He has been involved in research to create self-healing concrete while taking an analysis of the restoration process, and to reduce steel corrosion in reinforced concrete by using a byproduct of mining operations. He was awarded the Mahony and Antonio S. Limbardo Scholarships for his research work. A native of Brazil, he is involved in ASCE. Demelo plans to obtain a LEED AP credential in building design and construction, and to work in a field where reducing, reusing and recycling is one of the main priorities.
George J. Tamaro, P.E., consultant at Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, delivered the Keynote Presentation “Student, Contractor, Engineer…My Career and the Importance of Education.” During the presentation Tamaro shared his experience at his alma mater, Manhattan College, and how he became a slurry wall expert.