American Water Announces Recipients of 2026 James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards
American Water (NYSE: AWK) announced the 2026 James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards, naming 10 college-bound students of full-time employees as recipients.
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American Water (NYSE: AWK) announced the 2026 James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards, naming 10 college-bound students of full-time employees as recipients.
Out of 96 applications, an independent third party selected recipients; each receives a $1,000 one-year scholarship, renewable up to three years based on academic progress.
Details
News Market Reaction – AWK
On Apr 16, the day this news came out, AWK closed 0.30% above the previous close.
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Key Figures
- Scholarship recipients
- 10 students
- 2026 James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards
- Applications received
- 96 applications
- Submitted for 2026 LaFrankie awards
- Scholarship amount
- $1,000 per student
- Annual LaFrankie scholarship per recipient
- Renewal period
- Up to 3 years
- Potential renewal of $1,000 scholarship based on progress
- Program start year
- 1991
- Year Board established LaFrankie scholarship program
- Career length
- 44 years
- James V. LaFrankie’s career at American Water
Historical Context
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2025 water quality reports showed compliance with all standards and recognition.
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Participation in Water Week 2026 policy fly-in to discuss infrastructure and affordability.
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Company highlighted large-scale U.S. water investment needs and its own capital plans.
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Award of $5,000 AWWA American Water Scholarship for graduate water research.
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$1.6M South Charleston project and broader 2026 and decade-long investments.
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"We are proud to support the academic growth and future aspirations of our employees' families through the James V. LaFrankie Scholarship Awards," said Lori Sutton, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, American Water. "Investing in our employees is fundamental to our values, and we take pride in supporting the advancement of the next generation of emerging leaders and innovators."
Out of 96 submitted applications, an independent, third-party organization selected 10 high school seniors based on their outstanding records, academic honors, participation in extracurricular activities and teacher recommendations.
The
Below are the scholarship award recipients and American Water employees:
- Nicholas Furia – Nick Furia, VP, Treasurer, American Water
- Vanessa Geist – Marie Geist, Principal, Supply Chain, American Water
- Meea Irwin – Ryan Irwin, Superintendent, Operations, Pennsylvania American Water
- Wyatt Kinman – Jason Kinman, Serviceman/Person, Indiana American Water
- Lily Lapham – Tony Lapham, Production-Treatment Operator II, California American Water
- Blaise Leonardo – Charles Leonardo, Sr. Manager, Meter Quality, American Water
- Katherine Liu – Yanjin Liu, Sr. Manager, Engineering Planning, American Water
- Gemma LoGrippo – Mark LoGrippo, Sr. Business Development Manager, New Jersey American Water
- Tyler Rotkowitz – Holly Rotkowitz, Sr. Director, HR Operations, American Water
- Benjamin Walker – Shannyn Allen, Lead Planning Engineer, Indiana American Water
The American Water Board of Directors established the scholarship program in 1991 in honor of former American Water president, James V. LaFrankie, who demonstrated the value he placed on college education by earning a degree at Georgetown University night school while working days at the Alexandria Virginia Water Company, now known as Virginia American Water. After that, LaFrankie excelled, climbing the ladder to increasingly responsible positions over his 44-year career with American Water, retiring as the company's president in 1991.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in
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SOURCE American Water
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