Scholarships
Every year, the AVIXA Foundation awards thousands of dollars to students and emerging professionals from secondary, undergraduate and graduate programs, who show a keen interest in pursuing careers in the audiovisual industry.
The 2022 scholarships are now closed. View the recipients below.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
This scholarship supports the growth of women and gender equality in the audiovisual and integrated experience industry.
This scholarship is intended as encouragement for women to become active leaders and role models in the industry. The award recognizes a young adult or student determined to leave her mark as an AV professional. This person demonstrates grit and a commitment to her future, displaying a passion for creative solutions to challenges she faces in life.
This scholarship is a one-time award towards tuition for an applicant studying a subject related to AV anywhere in the world. This person is enrolled at a community or technical college, entering at least their third year of undergraduate, or graduate study at a recognized, accredited program. This scholarship may alternatively act as stipend for a certified internship or apprenticeship during secondary/high school.
In addition, recipient receives complimentary AVIXA Student Membership and an invitation to an annual AVIXA trade show.
*Recipients under 21 may bring a parent or guest.
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Completing secondary/high school, enrolled in vocational, undergraduate, or a graduate program related to the audiovisual and integrated experience industry
- Show proof of enrollment as a full-time or substantial part-time (minimum 6-9 credit hours) where the student plans to complete their degree
- Demonstrates keen interest in an AV career through studies and extracurricular activities
- Special consideration will be made for candidates showing involvement in diversity and inclusion programs and/or leadership positions
- Is not currently employed full-time by an audiovisual company
- Previous winners are ineligible
Applications are judged by a panel composed of industry leaders. Winners are considered holistically and selected based on:
- Presentation of application
- School performance and standing in community
- Demonstrated leadership
- AV-related experience
- Any work experience
- Written essay
- Recommendation letters
Madison Pierce – Belmont University
The 2022 recipient Madison Pierce is a sophomore at Belmont University and is currently enrolled in the Audio Engineering Technology program with business administration and physics minors. She is also part of the Women in Audio group on the university’s campus. Pierce believes that music can make the world a happier place and bring people together, which is why she focuses on equipment design. She says that an important part of achieving these goals is diversity.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
This scholarship honors the legacy Michael Vergauwen, late COO of AVI Systems and long-time AVIXA board member. It is aimed at students in pursuit of a technical or advanced degree towards an audiovisual career.
Michael firmly believed that growth in our industry comes from providing opportunities to anyone with the passion and desire to build a career as an AV professional. This scholarship is a one-time award paid towards tuition for an applicant studying a subject related to AV at a community or technical college, entering at least their third year of undergraduate, or graduate study at an accredited program.
In addition, recipient receives complimentary AVIXA Student Membership and an invitation to an annual AVIXA trade show.
*Recipients under 21 may bring a parent or guest.
- Completing secondary/high school, enrolled in vocational, undergraduate, or a graduate program related to the audiovisual and integrated experience industry
- Studies relate to audiovisual field(s), such as audio, video, music production, radio/television/film broadcast, IT, media and content, retail design, or another program related to careers in the audiovisual industry
- Show proof of enrollment as a full-time or substantial part-time (minimum 6-9 credit hours) where the student plans to complete their degree
- Demonstrates keen interest in an AV career through studies and extracurricular activities
- Is not currently employed full-time by an audiovisual company
- Previous winners are ineligible
Applicants are judged by a panel composed of industry leaders. Winners are considered holistically and selected based on:
- Presentation of application
- School performance and standing in community
- Demonstrated leadership
- AV-related experience
- Any work experience
- Written essay
- Recommendation letters
Faith Pierce – Berklee College of Music Graduate Program
The 2022 recipient Faith Pierce is pursuing Interdisciplinary Music at Berklee College of Music. She is focused on music business, music production, songwriting, and film scoring. Her hope is to be either an audio engineer in a recording studio or a re-recording mixer for TV and film. Pierce is committed to always listening, learning, and advocating for historically marginalized communities by encouraging inclusion and representation in the industry.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Our motto is AV is for everyone. We strive for a future where our industry fully represents the world in which we live. The more perspectives shared, voices heard, and onramps we can build, the more we can achieve together.
This scholarship was conceived by AVIXA's Diversity Council to
support further inclusivity within our community. It recognizes individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, races, gender identities, sexual orientation, religious affiliations, veterans status, disabilities, and national origins, whose
imagination and thinking will influence the future of our global industry.
It is a one-time award towards tuition for an applicant studying a subject related to AV anywhere in the world. This person is enrolled at a community or
technical college, entering at least their third year of undergraduate, or graduate study at a recognized, accredited program. This scholarship may alternatively act as stipend for a certified internship or apprenticeship during secondary/high
school.
In addition, recipient receives complimentary AVIXA Student Membership and an invitation to an annual AVIXA trade show.
*Recipients under 21 may bring a parent or guest.
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Completing secondary/high school, vocational, undergraduate, or a graduate program related to the audiovisual and integrated experience industry
- Show proof of enrollment as a full-time or substantial part-time (minimum 6-9 credit hours) where the student plans to complete their degree
- Demonstrates keen interest in an AV career through studies and extracurricular activities
- Special consideration will be made for candidates showing involvement in diversity and inclusion programs and/or leadership positions
- Is not currently employed full-time by an audiovisual company
- Previous winners are ineligible
Applications are judged by a panel composed of industry leaders and members of AVIXA's Diversity Council. Winners are considered holistically and selected based on:
- Presentation of application
- School performance and standing in community
- Demonstrated leadership
- AV-related experience
- Any work experience
- Written essay
- Recommendation letters
Nathan Erthal – University of Miami Graduate Program
The 2022 recipient Nathan Erthal is working towards his master’s degree in Music Engineering Technology from the University of Miami. He won the silver award for the AES Saul Walker student design competition. Erthal is interested in developing better and new ways for society to experience audio. He aspires to give back by dedicating his work to the audio industry, while also fostering more diversity in the industry.
Akash Mungra – University of Massachusetts Amherst
The 2022 recipient Akash Mungra is studying software engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is a leader at the university’s OSTEM club and has interned with the Travelers Insurance Broadcast and AV Engineering Team. He plans on paving the way to success in the AV industry for others with similar backgrounds to him by showing them the versatility of AV technologies. He hopes to keep the AV industry bustling with divergent thinking by welcoming a wide range of backgrounds.
AJ Panepinto – Full Sail University
The 2022 recipient AJ Panepinto is a freshman at Full Sail University majoring in film. He has a passion for telling stories behind the scenes and spent 6 years taking video production classes. Panepinto would like to contribute to the industry by becoming a videographer and postproduction editor. He loves learning new technology and being a part of an industry where there’s a place for everyone. Panepinto wants to encourage others, mentor future film makers, and shine a light on the stories of those who feel their voice is being silenced.
Katharina Sawatzky – American University
The 2022 recipient Katharina Sawatzky is a freshman at American University. She plans on devoting her time to classes on physics and audiovisual technology to gain knowledge on the science that goes into media development. Sawatzky has a few years of experience running the audio in community theater and mentoring other young girls. She believes that flexibility and experience are more important than ever in an industry with quick technical and ideological advancements. Sawatzky has worked hard to become a good leader and technician, not despite who she is as a person, but because of it.
Previous Recipients:
- 2021 - Irene Ataifo - Howard Community College, Angelina Jonkaitis - Valencia College, Carter Kucier - Lebanon Valley College
- 2020 - Iris Douka, New York City City College of Technology, Adam Waldmiller - Rochester Institute of Technology, Esmeralda Monroig, Lincoln Technical Institute
- 2019 - Rachel Brown, University of Minnesota & Ryan DeMello, Oregon State University
- 2018 - Marc Carbon, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt; Matthew Hancock, CTS-D, College of Charleston & Rishabh Waghela, Vidyalankar Institute of Technology (Undergraduate), Northeastern University (Masters)
- 2017 - Jacob Faber, University of British Columbia
- 2016 - Lauren Koske, University of Central Missouri & Sarabeth Mullins, Biola University
- 2015 - Dean Philip, University of South Carolina
- 2014 - Rebecca Nattress, University of Wisconsin-Stout
- 2013 - Mitchell Walker, Georgia Institute of Technology & Dustin Stout, The University of Central Oklahoma
- 2012 - Jeong Sik Yoo, CTS-D, Yale - School of Drama, Technical Design and Production
- 2011 - Kevin Rhodus, CTS-D, Ohio State University
- 2010 - Dawne Meade, CTS, University of Maryland - University College
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 [email protected].