CHICAGO, IL – National infrastructure builder F.H. Paschen marked the 11th year of its Paschen Engineering Scholars Program this week, welcoming a new class of students and graduating six seniors from the Chicago-based initiative.
Launched in 2015 as a partnership with George Westinghouse College Prep, a selective-enrollment high school operated by the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) District in the Garfield Park neighborhood, the Paschen Scholars program provides hands-on construction and engineering experience to students. To date, more than 60 CPS students on the city’s West Side have participated.
The three-year Paschen Scholars program selects six students annually through a competitive process, with 20 to 24 students enrolled at any time. Scholars gain exposure through jobsite visits, technical training and mentorship.
At the company’s annual “Hard Hat Ceremony” this week, new scholars begin the program while graduating seniors are recognized as they prepare for college.
“We built this program to give students real exposure to the work we do every day,” said Chuck Freiheit, COO at F.H. Paschen. “Eleven years in, we’re seeing students turn that experience into college opportunities and careers in construction and engineering both here at Paschen and across our industry.”
At the Hard Hat Ceremony, students, family and educators from Westinghouse took part in a headquarters tour, overview of the organization, heard from past participants and kicked-off the program along with F.H. Paschen representatives Michael Campbell, Project Manager in the Building Department, F.H. Paschen Chief Operating Officer Chuck Freiheit, Mia Dadian, F.H. Paschen’s College Recruiting Manager and retired Paschen executive Joe Scarpelli.
The newest class of Paschen Scholars kicks-off the program this summer with site visits to projects across Chicago. Over the next three years, they’ll build technical skills and industry experience as they prepare for college and future careers in construction and engineering.
More information about the Paschen Scholars Program can be found here.
