Coscan Awards Two FIU Scholarships

NORTH MIAMI, FL-October 16, 2006-Lauderhill resident Personna Myrie, 30, and Arthur (AJ) Meyer, 20, who lives in Sweetwater, have been awarded the Coscan Homes Scholars Program Scholarships at the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University for the 2006/2007 terms. These scholarships were created in November 2003 to expand educational opportunities for superior students in need of financial help who are seeking a career in construction management. Coscan co-owners Mike Neal and Al Piazza chose FIU as a partner because of the university's significant contributions to the construction industry.

“This scholarship,” says Piazza, CEO of Coscan Homes, “represents the future. It is something we are doing now that will have a definite positive impact in the construction industry tomorrow.”

Vish Prasad, Executive Dean of the College of Engineering and Business Administration, believes that because of this partnership and input given by Neal and Piazza, the quality of education their students receive will be strengthened. Both parties agree that this partnership will produce the kind of employees who will be prepared to work in the industry.

This nationally accredited program at FIU provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for managerial and supervisory positions in the construction industry. Emphasis is placed on technical essentials such as, construction cost estimating, project scheduling, site development, construction materials and methods, environmental controls for buildings, as well as heavy equipment utilization in earthwork. In addition, there is on-site-training that the two students will receive working on the various Coscan developments.

Myrie is finishing his last year at FIU and working full time as an assistant administrator at Pistroina & Alem, an engineering consulting firm. Myrie, who was encouraged by his father to get familiar with many different careers before making a choice, selected construction because he liked the fact that you get to see a finished product. “This scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for me and I appreciate Coscan’s generosity.”

Meyer says that he always wanted to be an architect but was not artistic enough. Working for his brother’s construction company, he discovered that he had a knack for building and really enjoyed it. “What I find most satisfying in construction,” says Meyer, “is that you have one goal—to finish the project. And it feels so good when you actually see the end product. The Coscan scholarship will help me tremendously and I am very grateful.”

Coscan has been in South Florida for 30 years and is known as one of the largest and most reliable builders of luxury residential high rise condominiums and single family homes in Florida. Owned by Al Piazza and Mike Neal, the company has built homes in more than 20 diverse communities and has gained a reputation as an exclusive boutique operation that is respected for its expertise and professionalism.

For further information please call Coscan at 954-620-1000 or visit on line at www.coscanhomes.com