A commitment to the values of the IBEW and organized labor, as
well as academic achievement, personal character and financial need each were all
factors in determining this year’s IBEW recipients of the
Union
Plus scholarships
for the 2019-2020 school year.
“We’re pleased to announce that 11 talented sons and daughters of union electrical workers will be getting some much-needed financial help this school year to pursue their educational dreams, thanks to the undeniable power of union membership,” said International President Lonnie Stephenson. “Helping these young men and women offset some of the skyrocketing costs of a college education is also a terrific way to acknowledge their hard work inside and outside the classroom.”
Union Plus is the non-profit benefits program operated by the AFL-CIO’s Union Privilege organization, which was founded by the federation in 1986 to provide a wide variety of benefit programs exclusively to active and retired union members and their families.
The recently announced one-time cash awards, which do not have to be paid back, range from $500 to $4,000. These 11 scholarships in particular are part of the nearly $170,000 in grant money given to students representing the IBEW and 33 other unions. It’s an exclusive group: more than 7,100 applications were submitted to Union Plus, but only 108 recipients were selected.
The children of IBEW members who won scholarships are:
Beth McIlquham
Daughter of Eau Clair, Wis., Local 14 member Brent McIlquham
Beth is pursuing a degree in communications from Chippewa Valley Technical College, and she plans to eventually attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She hopes to one day coordinate youth programs such as 4-H, and she recognizes the effect her father’s IBEW membership has had on his own life and his family’s. “Not only does the IBEW make jobs safe, but it also gives all workers a powerful voice,” Beth said. “The IBEW is proof that when people work together, great things can happen. There is so much to be appreciated from the IBEW and how it has not only helped my family but families everywhere.”
Lydia Luginbuhl
Daughter of Peoria, Ill., Local 34 member Scott Luginbuhl
Lydia received an associate degree in science from Illinois
Central College in 2018 and is now an education major at Illinois State
University who expects to graduate in 2021. “Lydia is motivated to learn and
strives for perfection,” said Dr. Wendy O’Hanlon, a mathematics professor at
ICC. “She treats people with dignity and never overlooks an opportunity to
assist others, offer words of encouragement, or uplift someone with her smile.”
Leigh Anne Tiffany
Daughter of Philadelphia Local 98 member Scott
Tiffany
Leigh Anne graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with an
undergraduate degree in pre-veterinary biology, and she holds a Master of
Science degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She
recently began her doctoral work in science communication while working as a
communications specialist for the nonprofit Defenders of Wildlife. “Leigh Anne
has an ability to take scientific findings and convey them in ways that
maintain accuracy and tell a story,” said Jared Saylor, vice president of
communications at Defenders of Wildlife. “These two components — accuracy and
storytelling — form the backbone of good advocacy, and Leigh Anne excels in
both.”
Victoria Carson
Daughter of Paterson,
N.J., Local 102
member William Carson
Victoria is an aspiring certified public accountant who
expects to graduate in May from Syracuse University with a degree in
accounting. Her father is a third-generation union member, so Victoria
appreciates the security his IBEW membership has provided her family. “The
medical benefits available to IBEW members are both critical and reassuring to
my family as my mother is disabled,” she said.
Aileen Coen
Daughter of Boston Local 103 member Christopher Coen
Aileen expects to graduate from the University of New
Hampshire in 2021 and eventually become an occupational therapist. Her father
has been unable to work since 2016, when he was diagnosed with early-onset
Alzheimer’s disease. “He taught us what it meant to work hard, how much a
hard-earned dollar is worth, and why protecting the rights of workers was
important,” she said. “To my father, these characteristics were the backbone of
the IBEW and the labor movement.”
Reiley Drake
Daughter of Decatur, Ill., Local 146 member Jason
Drake
Reiley, who graduated high school in May and started college
full-time this fall, is weighing majoring either in project management or
business administration. She aspires to be part of the team that puts Americans
on Mars. “Unions have made comfortable living possible and have instilled
important values into my family members and myself,” Reiley said. “My father
and grandfather [a United Automobile Workers member] have learned the importance
of those who came before them and how they spoke up or went on strike to
protest unjust treatment.”
Riley Blankenship
Son of Folsom, N.J.,
Local 351
member Christopher Blankenship
Riley is an Eagle Scout and rock climber who expects to
graduate in May from Stockton University with a degree in sustainable studies. “The
IBEW has helped my father earn better wages through collective bargaining and
training,” he said. “Also, his working conditions are better compared to
non-union workers. I never had to worry about my dad being put in an
unnecessarily dangerous position while at work.”
Darren Klaas
Son of Alton, Ill., Local 649 member Timothy Klaas
Darren wants to follow in the footsteps of the many
electrical workers in his family, including his father, grandfather and uncle,
all IBEW members. To that end, he recently started studying electrical
automation at Ranken Technical College and is considering working toward a
management degree. “My dad’s IBEW membership has benefited my family
tremendously by allowing our family to survive on his income while my mom
stayed home with my sisters and me when we were young,” Darren said. “My dad
has the benefit of working reasonable hours and the ability to take time off so
that he may attend our athletic events and take family vacations each summer.”
Sean Doyle
Son of Lisle, Ill.,
Local 701
member Joseph Doyle
Sean is a political science major who expects to graduate
from the University of Notre Dame in 2021. The U.S. Army ROTC cadet plans to
serve in active duty after graduation and then continue his education
afterward, with an ultimate goal of working either for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation or the U.S. State Department. “Sean is of high moral character
and makes sound decisions in a sea where opportunities to falter abound,” said
Ronald Smith, a teacher at Benet Academy in Lisle, where Sean was a 2017 graduate.
Claire Harmon
Daughter of Paducah,
Ky., Local 816
member Brandon Harmon
Claire recently started attending the University of
Louisville and plans to major in political science. She hopes to work one day for
the National Archives or the Library of Congress. “Claire quickly became a
central figure in the [Young Adult Advisory Panel] and was always willing to
work hard toward the goals of the group,” said Tammy Blackwell, branch manager
of the Marshall County [Ky.] Public Library. “She’s brave enough to be no one
but herself, confident enough to eschew the norm, and passionate enough to
follow her heart toward what she knows is right.”
Payton Leintz
Son of Hazen, N.D.,
Local 1593
member Scott Leintz
Payton is pursuing a degree in electrical instrumentation
and control technology at Bismarck State College, and he hopes to work
eventually in a power plant, a process facility or an industrial location that
uses automation. “Our area of North Dakota has many power plants, coal mines
and a gas plant,” Payton said. “The IBEW is like a family; the brothers and
sisters all come together to make things better for their family. My father was
able to provide a good life for our family by having great benefits and pay, as
well as good, safe working conditions.”
Since 1991, Union Plus has awarded more than $4.5 million in
educational funding to over 3,000 union members, spouses and dependent children
attending a college or a recognized technical or trade school. Visit
unionplus.org to learn more.