Christiansburg — The New River Valley Home Builders Association (NRVHBA) has awarded the 2021 Rick Whitney Memorial Scholarship to Ben Schmitt of Blacksburg.
. The mission of the NRVHBA Scholarship Committee is to support the future growth of the construction industry by providing aid to deserving students planning to enroll in construction-related studies at Virginia’s colleges, trade schools and within working internships.
The association requests applications from graduating high school students in Montgomery, Giles, Pulaski, Floyd, Wythe, and Carroll counties and the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg and the City of Radford.
According to the association, Schmitt became interested in the construction industry after building homes while on a mission trip in Mexico. He then started his own business doing small construction and renovation projects. He has been accepted to Virginia Tech and plans to major in building construction.
Rick Whitney came to the New River Valley area in 1997 and was employed as Vice President of Construction for SAS Construction, LLC. Whitney was instrumental in developing and constructing Knollwood Townhomes, the Glen, The Meadows at Northside Park, Cedarfield Subdivision, and Cedarfield Apartments.
He became an avid member of the New River Valley Home Builders Association in 1997, the Builder Director in 1997, Vice President in 1998, and President of the association in 1999. As a father, Rick recognized the importance of education to young people. To encourage others to pursue their dreams, this scholarship was established to honor his many accomplishments.
The New River Valley Home Builders Association is a professional trade organization serving the residential and commercial building industry of the New River Valley since 1976. As the voice of the building community, the NRVHBA advocates, educates, and gives back to better homeownership for all.
