Give to the Wharton-Smith Endowed Scholarship

What began in 1984 as a leap of faith for two friends from Ohio has grown into one of Central Florida’s largest general contractor and construction management firms. George Smith and Bill Wharton met in 1966 during their tenure at a construction company in Ohio. The company opened a Florida office in 1975, bringing George and Bill to Central Florida. When the company announced they were moving back to Ohio, George and Bill made an offer to take over the firm’s unfinished Florida work. So, with just a handful of employees, Wharton-Smith was incorporated on April 2, 1984.  According to the Engineering News Record (ENR),  Wharton-Smith ranks 151st in the ENR Top 400 contractors in the United States.  

Part of their mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of those in the communities where we live and work. To prepare our next generation of construction leaders, Wharton-Smith established this scholarship to provide tuition and book assistance to students pursuing a degree in construction as well as sponsor Seminole State's construction program. 

Success Stories

Mauresha Atkins

Mauresha is passionate about design, interiors, and construction, and she brings that passion into everything she does. Atkins is a young mother and decided to continue her education to further her knowledge and skills. Her goal is to enter the workforce confidently and she believes that will be due to the education and experience received at Seminole State College.

"I am sincerely honored to have been selected as the recipient of the Wharton-Smith Scholarship. Thank you for your generosity, which has allowed me to further my education." - Mauresha Atkins

 Joseph Patchett

The construction industry has always sparked my interest, as one can create a visual landmark that defines the community around it and every day is full of unknown challenges and opportunities.  As I pursue my degree in construction management, I can enhance my interests to include the impact of sustainability through LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). I look forward to utilizing the skills and knowledge I obtained at Seminole State in my future career as a project manager.

"Receiving this scholarship to help me afford my fall semester is amazing and having it come from one of the best general contractors in the state of Florida, Wharton-Smith, is beyond words. I love the field of construction and being able to incorporate my academics on the job site, is all I could ask for from this career. Thank you for providing me with this opportunity."

Additional Information

A long-time supporter of Seminole State College, Wharton-Smith Inc. helps build communities - from delivering clean water, wastewater, state-of-the-art schools, fire and police stations to recreational parks and other development projects that enhance quality of life.