FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Registration Is Open ↗

Beck awarded the 2014 Marble Institute of America Natural Stone Scholarship Award

Words: Helen BouchardStephen Beck, assistant project manager, Connecticut Stone Supplies in Milford, Conn., has been awarded the 2014 Marble Institute of America (MIA) Natural Stone Scholarship Award. The scholarship is awarded annually to provide educational opportunities to further careers in the stone industry. Beck will earn a degree in construction management later this spring from Central Connecticut State University.

“My eyes have been opened to the vast applications of stone I never saw possible,” Beck wrote in his application essay. “While I have always had an interest in design and architecture, the stone industry has given me the opportunity to draft and design bathrooms, countertops, bar tops, accent walls, and backsplashes. I believe the opportunity to attend StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas will boost my knowledge of the industry to new levels. This knowledge will help me improve not only myself, but the company I work for.”

“Stephen Beck is talented, passionate and hardworking,” said Tyra Dellacroce, Connecticut Stone Vice President. “It is very exciting to work with a passionate young professional who is at the beginning of what I believe will be a very successful career in the stone industry.”

Beck received the award at the January MIA Awards Luncheon at StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas in Las Vegas. His travel and registration costs were covered by the scholarship, whose funds are made available through a sponsorship from MIA member, Coldspring and the generous donations of MIA members worldwide. The selection was made by a panel of five judges, consisting of MIA board members and past presidents.

Applications for the 2015 Scholarship Award are available on the MIA website: www.marble-institute.com/awards.
 0
From Day One to Long-Term Success: Onboarding Strategies for Contractors
January 2026

The construction industry is facing one of its toughest challenges in decades. Companies are struggling to find enough skilled workers while competing to keep the ones they have. At the same time, projects are becoming more complex, deadlines are tighter,

Matt Dibara
Business Management
Read More
Finding the Right PPE for Your Work
January 2026

When it comes to PPE, one thing’s for sure: safety isn’t one size fits all. The work you’re doing, where you’re doing it, and even what time of year it is, can all make a big difference in what gear actually works. Price, comfort, and job performance all

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Back Injuries: The Real Cost and How to Prevent Them
January 2026

The mention of back injuries makes mason contractors cringe, and for good reason. Masons lift heavy objects every day, all day long. When a person sustains a back injury, it is serious. It affects every part of their life, from their ability to perform wo

Zach Everett
Safety Library
Read More
Detailing for Durability: The 2026 Guide to High-Performance Stone Veneer Transitions
January 2026

Some of the most expensive failures involving manufactured stone veneer installations don’t come from the stone at all, but rather from the material transitions and flashing around it. Transitions are weak points in the overall cladding where water can fi

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More