At the beginning of 2019, American Society of Civil Engineers Michigan Section announced a fundraising campaign to increase its Mackinac Scholarship endowment.
P&N employees jumped at the opportunity to raise money in memory of two of their beloved colleagues Mark Lee, PE and Eric Westra, PE, both of whom were actively involved with ASCE Michigan during their careers. Together, P&N raised $3,150.
In 2013, Prein&Newhof suddenly lost friend and colleague, Mark Lee, who died from a heart aneurysm. Mark worked for Prein&Newhof for 27 years as a Project Manager and Civil Engineer. Mark was also a member of ASCE. After raising money, P&N Muskegon office employees, founder Tom Newhof, and wife Greta Newhof presented Mark’s wife Laura and one of his daughters, Bethany, with a copy of the Mackinac Bridge print that ASCE provides to Champion–level donor ($1,000+).
In 2016, Prein&Newhof lost Eric Westra to cancer at the age of 29. Eric had just begun his term as Treasurer of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Western Michigan Branch when he learned of his diagnosis. A group of Eric’s friends at P&N made a significant donation to ASCE in honor of their friend and colleague. They presented Eric’s wife Chelsea and his son, Arie, with a framed Mackinac Bridge print.
On an annual basis, the ASCE Michigan Section awards two scholarships to college students pursuing degrees in civil engineering. The Mackinac Scholarship is $10,000, and is awarded in two sums over two years. The Zuidema Scholarship is $1,500. To apply for these scholarships one must be a Michigan resident, a U.S. Citizen, enrolled as a full–time college student in the State of Michigan, and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5. Applications are due by Memorial Day each year.
