Scholarships
Michael Vergauwen Scholarship
Applications for the 2019-2020 academic year are now closed.
About the Scholarship
The scholarship is open to third- and fourth-year college students, or those in their last year at a two-year school, who are dependents of employees or employees of
Application Completion Checklist
To ensure your application package is complete, enclose the following:
- A copy of your student ID number, and date of birth
- One signed letter of recommendation on letterhead from a current/previous employer and one from school faculty/administrator (or two letters of recommendation from faculty/administrator if not previously employed)
- Typed essay — handwritten essays will not be considered
To complete your application, your college or university must also forward the following directly to the AVIXA Foundation:
- An official transcript that includes the current semester/quarter.
Scholarship Awarded for 2018
Marc Carbon
Marc Carbon is a senior at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics with a focus on management and marketing. A fascination with innovative technology led Carbon to a position as a science teacher. He later worked for his mother’s digital media consulting firm, and recently spent six weeks interning with Prowise, which creates software and hardware education solutions. His interest in AV developed from his father’s role with the Global Presence Alliance. Carbon plans to pursue various training opportunities, such as CTS® certification, to help spur his career as an AV professional.
Matthew Hancock
Matthew Hancock is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems at the College of Charleston. After high school, Hancock joined the United States Army as a satellite communications systems operator and worked his way into an elite Special Operations unit, where he first learned about videoconferencing systems, networking, and network security. He currently works at Cambridge International Systems designing, engineering, and implementing AV systems in government buildings. He enrolled in the computer information systems program to learn the skills to program AV solutions. Hancock recently earned his CTS and plans to pursue his CTS-D in the future.
Rishabh Waghela
Rishabh Waghela is enrolled in the engineering management master’s program at Northeastern University in Boston. After earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from Vidyalankar Institute of Technology in Mumbai, Waghela worked as an AV engineer at Crestron Electronics Asia, where he cultivated his skills and identified concepts he wanted to pursue further. The program at Northeastern University provides the opportunity to develop the technical expertise needed to manage small-to-large-scale projects and the business competence that is required in the AV industry. Waghela also works part-time as an AV technician-in-training at the university.
Michael Vergauwen's Legacy
The memorial fund honors Michael Vergauwen's career achievements in the AV communications industry and his participation in and leadership of the association. Vergauwen's dedication to the industry and to its members serves as a role model for all AVIXA members.Michael Vergauwen was the COO of AVI Systems and a long-time board member of AVIXA.
Michael took pride in awarding $200,000 in scholarships to deserving recipients. He strongly believed that growth in the AV industry comes from providing opportunities and support to those wanting to enter the industry and those seeking to develop their careers.
His talent — and his kindness — strengthened the AV community. After his death in 2009, AVIXA created this scholarship to carry on his beliefs of strengthening and growing the AV industry through education.
"Michael Vergauwen was a valued member of the Board of Directors and was a tireless advocate for the audiovisual industry. He offered wise counsel and was a good friend to so many of us in the association's family. He will be missed greatly." — Jay Rogina, CTS, CEO Spinitar
Do you have a Michael Verguawen memory you would like to share? Email membership@avixa.org.