NAMM Foundation Announces William R. Gard Scholarship and President’s Innovation Award Recipients

The NAMM Foundation announces seven recipients of the William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship and 73 President’s Innovation Award recipients. Both programs support college students pursuing careers in the music-products industry, an investment directly into the industry’s future.

“We all came into this industry through different doors, and thankfully found our place in it,” said Joe Lamond, president and CEO of NAMM. “By providing these opportunities for the next generation through the Gard Scholarship and the President’s Innovation Awards we are attracting the best and brightest young people into our industry and ensuring the long-term success of our member companies.”

Named for a former NAMM executive vice president, the William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship supports promising NAMM member employees, who are pursuing a career in the music products industry. The $2,000 scholarship goes toward academic expenses for these employees studying full time at accredited four-year universities. Scholarships are awarded annually and may be renewed for up to three additional years, provided the applicant continues to be employed by a NAMM member and maintains an overall 3.0 grade point average or higher.

Congratulations to this year’s William R. Gard Memorial Scholarship awardees:

Nicolas Falcetti
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
NAMM member: Falcetti Music

John “Jack” Finnegan
University of Iowa
NAMM member: Quinlan & Fabish Music Company

James Warren
Adrian College
NAMM member: Music and More Midwest, LLC

Jason Terry
University of South Carolina, Columbia
NAMM member: Rice Music House

Kelly Riordan
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
NAMM member: Hartland Music, Inc.

Brandon Eckroth
University of St. Thomas
NAMM member: Eckroth Music

Charles Lederer
SUNY Potsdam
NAMM member: Zoom North America

The NAMM President's Innovation Award is given to students currently enrolled in music business or music education courses. Recipients receive $600 to cover the expense of attending the upcoming NAMM Show. At the show, awardees participate in Generation Next programs, have countless networking opportunities with music industry leaders, and explore the show. Generation Next registration is now open to college students preparing for careers in the music product industry.

This year the NAMM Foundation saw a 35 percent increase in the number of President’s Innovation Award applicants over last year. Congratulations to the 73 2015 President’s Innovation Award winners listed here.

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About NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a non-profit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 9,200 members around the world. The NAMM Foundation works to advance active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.