ICIF Recognizes Vergauwen Scholarship Winners
Nov 19, 2013 2:39 PM
The International Communications Industries Foundation (ICIF) awarded the Michael Vergauwen Education Fund Scholarship to Dustin Stout, rental technician at Ford Audio-Video and a student of sound design at the University of Central Oklahoma, and Mitchell Walker, former electrical engineering intern at LED display manufacturer NanoLumens and a student of electrical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
“Dustin and Mitchell represent the future of the audiovisual industry,” said Duffy Wilbert, CTS, CAE, Executive Director, International Communications Industries Foundation. “They are bright, dedicated, innovative thinkers who love AV and will play significant roles in propelling AV forward.”
Dustin Stout began work at Ford AV in August 2012 as a rental technician focused on audio production. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Music Production from the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma and is pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Technology, also at UCO. Stout is an accomplished musician and runs a recording studio out of his home.
“Dustin attacks his duties energetically, displaying superior intellect and initiative,” said Claire Ford, CEO of Ford AV. “Whether Dustin pursues a career as an entrepreneur, musician or both, it is our expectation that he will help improve the AV industry over the next many years.”
“The excitement of event production, the chance for collaboration and the constant opportunity to learn are what keep me coming back for more,” said Stout. “This is just what I am — very excited about my career in the AV industry.”
Mitchell Walker joined NanoLumens as an electrical engineering intern in May 2013 and in June he represented the company at InfoComm 2013 in Orlando, Fla. Within weeks of his hiring, Walker was configuring field-programmable gate arrays for NanoLumens controller cards and color-calibrating displays. Even before Walker entered Georgia Tech to pursue his engineering degree, he was a student assistant for the school’s in-house AV design team and a certified AMX Control Designer.
“Mitchell has in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience designing, installing and troubleshooting audiovisual applications,” said Richard Cope, CEO of NanoLumens. “He also has a natural ability to ‘tinker’ with electronics that assisted him in excelling at NanoLumens.”
“My studies in electrical engineering will provide me the fundamental knowledge to support my AV industry pursuits,” said Walker. “My father, Scott Walker, entered the AV industry at a young age. InfoComm International and AV have always played an important role in my life.”
The Michael Vergauwen Education Fund Scholarship fosters educational opportunities, enhancing the audiovisual industry’s service to the public through scholarships, curriculum development, community engagement and the promotion of careers in the AV field. The fund honors Vergauwen’s career achievements in the AV communications industry and his participation in and leadership of InfoComm International.
Companies and individuals wishing to contribute to the fund should send donations to: Michael Vergauwen Education Fund, ICIF, 11242 Waples Mill Road, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Checks should be made payable to the International Communications Industries Foundation. Donations will be tax deductible as provided by Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
