Amos Bridge Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Associate Builders & Contractors of Maine

Amos Bridge Scholarship Fund

Purpose
The Amos Bridge Scholarship Fund was created to assist students enrolled in the University of Maine’s Construction Engineering Technology program, the University of Southern Maine’s Certificate in Construction Management, or comparable undergraduate programs that focus on construction industry management.

Background
Amos D. Bridge emigrated to the United States in 1842 at age three and later founded Bridgecorp in Connecticut in 1875. Bridgecorp operated on a Merit (open) Shop principle, compensating employees based on their productivity. The company entered the Maine market in 1914 and relocated its headquarters to Maine during World War II. For roughly 90 years Bridgecorp was a leading force in Maine road construction until it was sold to Pike Industries in 2004. Following the merger, the company’s workforce and equipment became part of Pike’s Heavy and Highway Construction Division, and Pike has maintained involvement with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Both Amos Bridge and the founder of Pike launched their enterprises in the 1870s, and their corporate histories are now joined.

The scholarship was established in the 1980s by Amos’s great-grandson, John Bridge, a University of Maine alumnus who served as a national officer of ABC at that time.

Founder’s note
John Bridge encourages applicants to keep in mind that starting a construction business is still an achievable goal today, just as it was for his great-grandfather in 1875.

Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate program related to construction. Priority is given to students preparing for careers in the construction industry; students in architecture and civil engineering programs are eligible.
- Preference will be given to applicants who are active members of an ABC Student Chapter or who are employed by an ABC member firm.
- Candidates must have completed at least one year of study in an associate or bachelor’s degree program and must have at least one full academic year remaining.
- Academic minimums: overall GPA of at least 2.5 and a major GPA of at least 3.00. If an applicant has not yet taken courses in their declared major, an overall GPA of 3.00 is required.