MBTA Educational Foundation Scholarships

The Maine Better Transportation Association has a separate 501(c)3 charitable organization, the MBTA Educational Foundation, to award scholarships to Maine students in relevant transportation-related degree programs at community colleges and universities. Deadline for applications is August 1, 2025 and awards will be sent to institutions for the account of the scholarship recipient in September 2025. Students must complete an application, and provide a resume, a copy of their transcript, and two written reference letters, along with contact information for the references. Students will need to submit two writing samples, each up to 100 words. 

The Foundation’s Board of Directors selects the scholarship recipients and gives preference to students attending Maine colleges or universities. Preference is also given to students who have worked in transportation, construction, engineering, or related fields and/or who have indicated that construction or transportation is their career of choice. Applicants must:

• Have completed high school or the equivalent and be enrolled in a relevant program of study.
• Be accepted into relevant academic programs such as civil engineering, construction management, construction trades, marine, rail or aviation studies, heavy equipment operation, electrical, diesel mechanic or similar majors.
• Provide two essays (up to 100 words each) describing:

1. What draws you to the transportation field?
2. What are your aspirations after graduation?

• Submit an official or unofficial copy of transcript.
• Provide two written references, with contact information of writer included.
• Provide a resume showing work history, honors, and any other information applicant may deem relevant.

The Selection Committee scores the applications as follows:

• Academics
• Work History
• Written Essay
• References/Other

Description of Scholarships

Below is a list of named scholarships. The Board may also award general scholarships for students in transportation fields.

Transportation Trailblazer Scholarship

The Trailblazer Scholarship may be awarded for up to four years. Current awardees are required to submit applications each year to be considered for additional awards and must still be enrolled in an undergraduate program in a transportation-related field. This award goes to a student attending college in Maine who has demonstrated leadership, has a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and is likely to remain in Maine’s transportation or construction industry.

Kenneth W. Burrill Scholarship

This award was created in 2008 to honor an MBTA past president and long-time advocate for construction and transportation investment. Ken Burrill had a long history with H.E. Sargent and affiliated companies and served as president of Bridgecorp. He had a passion for politics and served as finance chair for some of Maine’s most prominent politicians, including US Senator Susan Collins. Ken was the chief fundraiser for dozens of state highway and transportation bond referendum campaigns for over 30 years.

Timothy M. Folster Scholarship

Tim Folster worked for H.E. Sargent, Sargent & Sargent, and Sargent Corporation for over 40 years, retiring in 2019 as Vice President of Operations. To honor his significant contributions to the company, the state and to MBTA, Herb Sargent and the employees of Sargent endowed a scholarship in Tim’s name. A past MBTA president, Tim serves on the MBTA Board and chairs the MBTA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. He is widely respected in the transportation industry for his extensive knowledge and brilliant mind. This award may go to a current or prospective engineering student, preferably civil or mechanical, who is committed to seeking employment in Maine, particularly in the construction industry. Preference may be given to an employee or a family member of a Sargent employee.

Frank A. Healy Scholarship

The Frank A. Healy Scholarship was established by his two colleagues in the construction industry, Rodney Lane and John Wardwell, with contributions from MBTA members and Frank’s family and friends. A visionary past president of MBTA, Frank created the MBTA Infrastructure Development Fund to ensure that the association would have reserve funds for future education and advocacy campaigns.  A mentor to many inside and outside The Lane Construction Corporation, he retired after a long and distinguished career. In addition to his generosity, he was a fierce advocate for transportation and the industry. Preference may be given to students at community colleges or UMaine or who work for Northeast Paving, Dirigo Materials, Copiam, or any VINCI Construction USA company (formerly The Lane Construction Corporation).

Paul M. Koziell Scholarship

This scholarship was created by the MBTA Educational Foundation to honor MBTA Past President Paul Koziell, who died in October 2022 in an accident along with his father-in-law Eldon Morrison. Eldon was founder and CEO of CPM Constructors, and Paul was president of the firm. An attorney by trade, Paul fell in love with construction after joining the family company and threw himself into the construction and management of CPM, eventually rising to President. Paul was passionate about encouraging and mentoring Maine students to enter the transportation workforce. He helped grow the MBTA scholarship endowment annually when he and his friend Bruce Hubbard sold hundreds of Super Raffle tickets to fund scholarships.

Millard W. Pray

This fund was established in 2003 by Eldon Morrison of CPM Constructors in honor of his friend and long-time business partner, Millard Pray, who joined the company in 1986. MBTA members provided matching funds. Pray is a past president of MBTA and, along with his colleague Don Raye, was instrumental in expanding the scope and reach of the MBTA Educational Foundation. Millard was a self-taught, self-made individual who learned on the job and rose to the top of his profession. Preference for this scholarship is given to students who are affiliated with CPM Constructors.