Marble Institute of America: Press Room

Marble Institute Names Robert Smith Winner of the 2004 Migliore Natural Stone Education Scholarship

Smith of Detroit Area's Great Lakes Granite & Marble is First Recipient of Scholarship Established by the Leading Natural Stone Association

Cleveland, OH, October 18, 2004 – The Marble Institute of America, Inc. (MIA) today announced the winner of its 2004 Migliore Natural Stone Education Scholarship: Robert Smith, a Lead Installer and Field Supervisor at Great Lakes Granite & Marble of Redford, Michigan.

Smith’s application was among many received by MIA and evaluated by a committee of the MIA Board of Directors, MIA staff, and industry veterans. Selection was based on the applicant’s commitment to a career within the natural stone industry as demonstrated through a written essay and a letter of recommendation from their employer.

The education scholarship is named for the late Vincent R. Migliore, a world-renowned stone expert who served as MIA's Technical Director from 1997-2003. The scholarship pays for Smith’s travel and registration expenses to attend StonExpo 2004, the natural stone industry’s premier exhibition and educational event being held this year in Los Angeles from October 28-30. Smith will also attend a number of special events tied to the MIA Annual Meeting, which is held concurrently with StonExpo.

Smith, who has worked at Great Lakes Granite & Marble for three years on residential stone projects in the greater Detroit area, expressed great appreciation upon receiving the scholarship. “I’ve been captivated by natural stone since childhood and I continue to be amazed by its beauty in applications old and new,” he said. “My goal is to continue to learn everything I possibly can about natural stone and to one day be able to say that I truly am an expert in all facets of the natural stone industry. Attending StonExpo 2004 will enable me to build my knowledge and increase my potential within this field.”

In his letter of recommendation, Smith's supervisor described him as “an excellent craftsman with strong leadership skills” and “a person any granite company would value highly.”

“We’re delighted to recognize Robert’s commitment to the natural stone industry and his dedication to a successful stone career,” stated Garis F. Distelhorst, Executive Vice President of MIA. “The intent of the Migliore Natural Stone Education Scholarship is to provide educational opportunities for aspiring natural stone professionals, and the opportunities to expand one’s knowledge at StonExpo are unsurpassed.”

In addition to gaining valuable technical and practical knowledge from MIA-sponsored educational seminars presented at the show, Distelhorst noted, “Robert will also have the opportunity to meet and learn from leading stone professionals from around the world.”

About the Marble Institute
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2004, the Marble Institute of America (MIA) is the world’s leading information resource and advocate for the natural stone industry. MIA members include marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and other natural stone producers and quarriers, fabricators, installers, distributors, and contractors around the world.

MIA publishes a monthly newsletter, markets a range of technical publications and consumer pamphlets on natural stone, sponsors meetings and seminars on industry-related topics, both business and technical, provides educational programming for architects and construction specification professionals, and sponsors an annual Pinnacle Awards competition celebrating excellence in natural stone design and workmanship. MIA also operates two natural stone web sites, www.marble-institute.com and www.usenaturalstone.com.

For more information, contact MIA at (440) 250-9222, e-mail MIAinfo@marble-institute.com, or visit www.marble-institute.com.