NORMAL — Turner Construction has awarded $10,000 scholarships to six Alabama A&M University students majoring in civil engineering and construction management for the spring and fall 2026 semesters.
The awards continue Turner’s partnership with the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences, which began in 2023 and has since provided more than $180,000 in scholarships, along with additional support for student conference travel, competitions and departmental initiatives.
The 2026 recipients are:
• Camryn Cooper, rising junior, civil engineering, Douglasville, Ga.
• Ashanti Sterling, junior, civil engineering, Anniston
• Christelle Sanwidi, junior, civil engineering, New Market
• Bryce Howard, senior, civil engineering, Farmington Hills, Mich.
• Raymond Wilson, sophomore, construction management, Louisville, Ky.
• Jayden Head, junior, construction management, Montevallo
Each student will receive $5,000 per semester.
Wilson said he learned of the award just before heading to class.
“I kind of screamed when I saw the email,” he said. “I was extremely excited and grateful. Being a student here has opened so many doors.
“AAMU gives us opportunities that prepare us to succeed long after graduation.”
Wilson is a University Echo Student Ambassador, a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and a singer in the University Choir.
Cooper said she applied for the scholarship after hearing about it from Dr. Mebougna Drabo, chair of the civil engineering department.
“He told me there was an opportunity based on GPA, so I went for it,” she said. “When I found out I received it, I was thrilled. It removes a huge financial burden from my parents, and my mom was especially excited.”
Cooper, a rising junior, is considering pursuing an MBA after graduation and hopes to build a career in consulting.
Turner Construction has served Huntsville and the North Alabama region for more than 70 years, leading major projects in aerospace, commercial development, federal facilities and industrial infrastructure.
The company also played a key role in shaping AAMU’s modern campus, constructing the Andrew and Abbiegail Hugine Living Learning Complex and the AAMU Event Center, completed in 2022.
Gerald L. Vines, faculty associate for student achievement in the College of Engineering, Technology and Physical Sciences, said the scholarships reflect Turner’s long-standing investment in AAMU students.
“Turner’s support goes far beyond financial assistance,” said Vines. “They are helping develop the next generation of engineers and construction leaders. Our students see these scholarships as both a reward for their hard work and a reminder that industry partners believe in their potential.”
