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George J. Tamaro Manhattan University Civil Engineering Scholarship
2024 Submissions are closed | 2025 Applications will open Fall 2025
Established in 2016, the scholarship is named for George J. Tamaro, the first-ever DFI Legends-Engineer Award recipient and an innovator in solving difficult foundation problems.
The fund provides $15,000 in annual scholarships to undergraduate civil engineering students in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Manhattan University. Recipients must demonstrate academic merit, financial need and an interest in the deep foundations industry via civil or geotechnical engineering.
Zac Curanovic P.E., of Underpinning & Foundation Skanska and a trustee on the DFI Educational Trust Board, led the scholarship drive which raised over $200,000 for the Fund.
Eligibility & Requirements
The scholarship is exclusively for individuals at Manhattan University. Applications are made directly to the university through the civil and environmental engineering department, and the university selects the recipients.
George J. Tamaro
George J. Tamaro, P.E., is currently a consultant at Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers (MRCE). He joined MRCE in 1980 and was a partner from 1983 through 2006. Prior to joining MRCE, he was a vice president and chief engineer of ICOS Corporation of America and an engineer with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
As an expert in slurry wall construction, Tamaro was involved with the building of the first World Trade Center in New York and the rebuilding of WTC7 and Freedom Tower. He has been involved in the design and construction of several notable foundations and superstructures including the Messeturm in Frankfurt, Friedrichstadt Passagen in Berlin, JFK Light Rail Project in Queens. N.Y., New York City subway, Goldman Sachs Tower in New Jersey, and Times Square Tower in New York City.
Tamaro is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the recipient of numerous awards including the DFI Legends Award, DFI Distinguished Service Award, ASCE Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award, ASCE Homer Gage Balcolm Award for Excellence in Structural Engineering, The Moles Award for Outstanding Achievement, ASCE Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award, Ralph B. Peck Medal from the ASCE GeoInstitute, ASCE OPAL Lifetime Award for Design, ASCE and AAES Fritz Medal, National Society of Professional Engineers Award, ASCE Ernest E. Howard Award, and U.S. Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.
Tamaro received a B.S. in civil engineering from Manhattan College, an M.S. in civil engineering from Lehigh University and an M.S. in architectural technology from Columbia University. He also received an honorary Doctorate of Engineering from Manhattan College in 2011.

Founding Donors
Premier
- Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
Supporters
- Arup
- E.E. Cruz & Company
- Tom and Debbie Farrell
- GEI Consultants, Inc.
- Lally Pipe & Tube
- LMW Engineering Group
- Moretrench
- PJS Group
- Skyline Steel
- STV Incorporated
- Underpinning and Foundation Skanska
- Urkkada Technology Ltd.
General Donors
- Atlas Copco
- Donovan | Hatem, LLP
- Tony and Christina Canale
- David Coleman
- Zac Curanovic
- Alfredas Daugiala
- Sean Glynn
- George Tamaro
- Thomas Trochalides
- Frances and M. Byrl Williams
- Bill Ziadie