Children of Fallen Transportation Construction Workers to Receive College Financial Assistance

(WASHINGTON) – Seven children of transportation construction workers killed on the job will receive post-high school financial assistance for the 2025-26 school year thanks to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation scholarship initiative.

The program was established with a major gift from two Roanoke, Va. highway contractors and their companies—Stan Lanford (1999 ARTBA chairman) of Lanford Brothers, and Jack Lanford (1991 ARTBA chairman) of Adams Construction Company. Scholarships have a value of up to $10,000 annually.

More than 225 “Lanford Family Transportation Construction Worker Memorial” scholarships have been awarded to worthy students from 33 states to pursue undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as technical training.

The 2025 class includes:

Amy McNeil Stepan, Lumberton, Texas

Amy’s father, Jeffrey McNeil, was killed in 2005 while working for the Texas Department of Transportation. Amy is a graduate student at Texas Woman’s University pursuing her master’s degree to become an acute care gerontology nurse practitioner.

Breana Jones, Gaston, S.C.

Breana’s father, Stan Jones, Sr., died in 2007 after being struck by a vehicle while at work for the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Breana will be a senior at Winthrop University studying graphic design.

Katie & Christopher Hutt, Cleveland, Tenn.

Katie and Christopher’s father, Chris, was struck and killed in 2006 while installing signage for United Rentals in a highway work zone. Katie will be a senior studying architecture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where her brother will be a sophomore.

Zoe Watts, Marshall, Ark.  

Zoe’s father, James “Kirk” Watts, was killed by overturned equipment while working for the Arkansas Department of Transportation in 2018. Zoe will be a sophomore majoring in nursing at the University of Central Arkansas.

Bailey Edwards, Gadsden, Ala.

Bailey’s father, Keith, was killed in 2020 when he was struck by an 18-wheeler while placing road work signs for Vulcan Materials Company. Bailey will be a freshman studying biomedical sciences at Auburn University.

Toxey Voudrie, Trussville, Ala.

Toxey’s father, Darin, was struck and killed while working for Jefferson County Roads and Transportation Department in 2015. Toxey will be a freshman studying sports and medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Two Graduations 

Multi-year Lanford Scholarship recipient Jenna Jares graduated in May with a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.

Another 2024-25 awardee, LaToya Hood, will receive her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from Texas Southern University this summer.

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2025, the ARTBA Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt entity designed to “promote research, education and public awareness” about the impacts of transportation investment. It supports an array of initiatives, including educational scholarships, awards, management and education programs, roadway work zone safety training and certificates, special economic research and reports, and an exhibition on transportation at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.