NAMM Foundation Rewards Industry-Driven Students with William R. Gard Scholarship

Awards help bolster the music products industry by assisting future leaders with costs of college

September 8, 2015

The NAMM Foundation is supporting the promising careers of seven hard-working students who have earned the William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship for 2015. The award is one of several contributions that NAMM makes to strengthen the future of the music-products industry by investing in college students who wish to lead NAMM member companies.

“With this scholarship we honor the legacy of a man who guided NAMM through some of the most tumultuous decades in its history,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “We also recognize our future leaders who exemplify the spirit of service that Bill Gard displayed though his long career at NAMM.”

The William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of Gard, a former NAMM executive vice president. It rewards full-time students with $2,000 to help cover costs associated with higher education. To qualify, applicants must be employed by a NAMM member, and must be studying full-time at an accredited four-year university. Recipients can renew the scholarship for three more years, granted they maintain employment by a NAMM member as well as a 3.0 grade point average.

Congratulations to the new 2015 William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship winners:

  • Jonathan Blanchette
    Berklee College of Music
    Rick’s Musical Instruments, Inc. - Cumberland, RI
  • Michael Mullins
    University of Massachusetts, Lowell
    Performance Music Center – Woburn, MA
  • Jacob Erie Stiemann
    University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
    McCaffrey Audio – Wausau, WI
  • Daniel Cavazos
    Hartnell College
    AGDM Music - Salinas, CA
     

Congratulations to the 2015 William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship renewal winners:

  • Nicolas Falcetti
    University of Massachusetts, Lowell
    Falcetti Music – Springfield, MA
  • Kelly Aileen Riordan
    University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
    Hartland Music, Inc. – Hartland, WI
  • John “Jack” Finnegan
    University of Iowa
    Quinlan & Fabish Music Company – Burr Ridge, IL
  • Brandon Eckroth
    University of St. Thomas
    Eckroth Music – Bismarck, ND

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About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit organization funded in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9,900 members. The Foundation’s mission is to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about the NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

About NAMM

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of approximately 10,300 members located in 104 countries and regions. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music, and advance active participation in music making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org, call 800.767.NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.