April 05, 2023
Turner gives $45,000 grant
to assist MSU students
Turner Construction Company
established a $45,000 grant program at Morgan State University’s School of
Architecture and Planning’s Construction Management program. This grant
directly benefits students with financial need, scholastic merit, and those who
have an interest in the construction industry.
Turner has long been creative
and intentional in reaching out to people who historically have been
underrepresented in the construction industry. Morgan State University is one
of eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that Turner is
partnering with to offer students scholarships and professional development and
training led by Turner staff.
Charles Stewart, Vice President of Diverse
Recruiting and Outreach for Turner, said the grant program is about, “the
development of the student, helping the university enhance their pipeline and
develop their students to be prepared to step out in the communities where we
work, and be able to work with companies like ours.”
On March 29, 2023, Turner
hosted a “Turner Day at Morgan State” event in the School of Architecture and
Planning atrium. Turner moderated a panel of industry leaders and Morgan alum
and allies who discussed the importance of skill building and personal
branding. They also offered industry insight within construction and the
surrounding specialties. Turner also announced the three student recipients of
the Turner Tuition Assistance Program – scholarships of $10,000 each – that
went to Imani Singleton, Courtney Thompson, and Dariyah Pennix.
Breakout sessions were also
held on interview preparation and professional development. The event was open
to all members of the Morgan State University campus and free to attend.
Daymanuel Sampson, Community and Citizenship Leader for Turner Mid-Atlantic,
said “this event was a highlight in [his] career, allowing Turner to showcase
its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, all while acknowledging and
creating space for diverse candidates in the construction industry.”
Courtney Thompson, one of the
three scholarship recipients, emphasized the impact of receiving the
scholarship. He said, “I want to thank Turner Construction from the bottom of
my heart for this scholarship. It will afford me the opportunity to pursue my
dreams and to complete this degree. And faster than I was bargaining for. Thank
you very much.”
Chairperson of the Construction
Management program in Morgan State’s School of Architecture and Planning, Dr.
Lewis Waller who was a panelist for the event stated, “On this day we are honored
to look at the achievements and the accomplishments of our students and this
partnership that we continue to build on...we thank Turner for being the team
that continues to build and pave the way.