The Facilities Staff–Kane Brothers Scholarship to be awarded for the first time this spring.
Back in 2005, the disposal of scrap metal from campus renovation and construction projects was an expense. Angelo Mazza, a plumber and steamfitter at Westfield State, recognized that there were dollars going into the dumpster and contacted long-time friends Patrick and Robert Kane of Kane Scrap Iron and Metal in Chicopee. A plan for a new scholarship was conceived.
“The Kane brothers agreed to both give the University free use of a dumpster and money from the scrap metal, as long as the funds went to support student scholarships” says Mazza. “We have collected any and all metals, such as plumbing, electrical piping, old micro fridges, stoves, lighting fixtures, bed frames, fencing, kitchen equipment, lawn mowers, and snow blowers.
“We even had a Family Day, during which Westfield State staff could bring in metal items from home and put them in the dumpster, free of charge. It was a great success,” Mazza adds.
With the fund now fully endowed at over $10,000, the Westfield State University Facilities Staff–Kane Brothers Scholarship is ready to be awarded for the first time this spring. The project began with the support of then Interim University President Elizabeth Preston, Ph.D.; Lisa McMahon, director of Advancement and Gifts; and Mike Knapik, former executive director of the Westfield State Foundation, Inc.
Robert Kane says, “If we can come in and help some organizations like Westfield State out, we’re more than happy to do it. We try to help out as much as we can within the community.”
Mazza adds, “This was a combination of a lot of people working together. The tradespeople and maintainers’ dedication to ensuring the metal gets to the dumpster to be recycled is what has made the difference.”
According to McMahon, full-time undergraduates who are residents of Massachusetts with a GPA of 2.80 or higher are eligible for the scholarship, with preference for students who are involved in community service. She explains that all available scholarships are posted on the University website and, this year, students can apply online for the first time. Members of the campus AFSCME Local 1067 will be on the committee that helps select the Facilities Staff–Kane Brothers recipient.
