The Finishing Contractors Association of Illinois (FCAI) has awarded $44,000 in academic scholarships to 22 local students through its Larry Nedrow Scholarship Fund.
Established in 1992, the FCAI Larry Nedrow Scholarship supports educational development within the painting, drywall, and glazing finishing industry. Each year, contractors who contribute to the Northern Illinois Painting and Drywall Institute (NIPDI)—an industry advancement fund promoting the union painting, glazing, and drywall taping trades—may nominate a student for this award.
Over the past three decades, the scholarship fund has helped hundreds of students achieve their educational goals. To date, 591 students have received a combined total of $688,250 in financial aid, underscoring FCAI’s ongoing commitment to developing talent in the markets served by its contributing contractors.
The NIPDI fund is managed by FCAI, a trade association representing union painting, glazing, and drywall finishing contractors across Illinois. FCAI works to strengthen the industry by negotiating and implementing collective bargaining agreements, and by promoting safety, education, training, and professional development. The Association’s 120+ member companies benefit from a range of programs, services, and tools designed to help them operate and grow successfully.
Scholarship recipients for 2025:
Lauren Andrews of Elburn, sponsored by Vogue Painting, Inc; Luke Berndt of LaGrange, sponsored by Ascher Brothers; Joshua Bickford of Oglesby, sponsored by All in Finish & Paint; Lillian Bostic of Big Rock, sponsored by Nedrow Decorating; Charlotte Brummel of Sandwich, sponsored by Heikotter, Inc; Travis Cole of Galesburg, sponsored by Dragoo Painting; Claudia Cronin of Crest Hill, sponsored by All-Tech Decorating; Jacob Deutsch of Naperville, sponsored by Oosterbaan & Sons Painting & Decorating; Logan Ehlers of Montgomery, sponsored by K & J Painting; Mia Geltz of Newark, sponsored by Burks Brothers; Raegan Haese of Ringwood, sponsored by International Decorators; Julia Martorano of Vernon Hills, sponsored by Clarion Construction; Cooper Matthews of Sycamore, sponsored by Midwest Decorating; Emmie Muccianti of Addison, sponsored by J & M Decorating; Sofia Neumann of Itasca, sponsored by Five Star Decorating; Lillian Pehr of Frankfort, sponsored by Lankford Construction Co; Russell Poor of Trivoli, sponsored by Riverside Interiors, LLC; Michelle Ramey of Malta, sponsored by Pecover Decorating Services, Inc; Graycin Slou of Sugar Grove, sponsored by Midwest Painting & Decorating; Faith Spoelstra of Ankeny, Iowa, sponsored by Neumann Co Contractors; Jolie Stuart of Maroa, sponsored by McLean County Glass & Mirror; Danny Thomas of St. Charles, sponsored by LeCuyer Painting;
—FCA of Illinois