The AVIXA Foundation has announced the ten recipients of the 2026 Michael Vergauwen Scholarship, selected from a record number of applications for demonstrating academic achievement, unique perspectives and commitment to careers in AV and integrated experiences. Each recipient receives a one-time $2,500 contribution towards tuition supporting studies applicable to the pro AV industry.
The 2026 recipients are Logan Anthony, an AV technician supervisor at Pace University studying computer science; Ben Howard, who leads technical support for events at Western Carolina University; Taha Jamshidi, who has worked on lecture hall upgrades at the University of California Los Angeles; Jordan McPhee, who combines film studies with live events work at the University of Colorado Boulder; and Ana Olmeda, who has supported AV installations and technology integration at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The remaining recipients are Ethan Poon, a Rutgers University student and founder of a digital media nonprofit; Samantha Rosinski, a post-production lab assistant at Chapman University’s Dodge College; Tyler Stanga, an electrical engineering student aiming to specialise in AV control systems and power infrastructure; Doan Tran, an electrical engineering and computer science student; and Melody Vilitchai, a lighting designer working across local and regional theatre.
Joseph Valerio, director for the AVIXA Foundation, said: “This year’s winners have amazing personal stories, hailing from every part of North America. Each paved a unique path for themselves towards an AV career through some combination of hard work, studies, and sheer ambition. The AVIXA Foundation exists to make the talented workforce more visible to our industry. This scholarship is a tangible way we help encourage and empower future pros to achieve their potential in AV.”
You can subscribe to Installation magazine for free here and the daily newsletter here.
