2027 Bob Cashner Memorial Scholarship Application

The 7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter provides an educational forum bringing together Information Services / Technology and Facilities / Engineering / Real Estate / Construction organizations to promote better understanding of the design, implementation and management issues involved in achieving high levels of uninterrupted infrastructure support. We Design / Build / Support data center facilities that run the world – AI, Cloud, the Edge, etc. Our goal is to provide the public as well as students the path of knowledge regarding the Critical Facilities Industry in addition to a Job Ladder for a path for future employment in this vastly unknown yet essential industry.

In that spirit, the 7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter will be awarding several scholarships in memory of Robert (Bob) Cashner. These scholarships will be awarded to students enrolled in an accredited college, university, community college, trade, or technical program and pursuing a course of study relevant to the data center industry.

Bob was a Senior Vice President with Wells Fargo's Corporate Properties team. With over 40 years of experience. Bob and his team supported the Technology and Operations Group for Wachovia and Wells Fargo until his passing in 2012. Bob loved the data center industry and was always one you could speak with about data center resiliency, cost effective and sustainable solutions, uptime requirements, and new technologies in the mission critical field.

Bob was a long-time member of 7x24 Exchange International. The Carolinas Chapter is honored to provide these scholarships in memory of Bob Cashner!

Scholarship Details

How to Apply

The following is the process for collecting all scholarship materials:

• All requested documents must be submitted with this application.
• You will be automatically disqualified if all of the application components are not included.
• The application must be submitted no later than Friday, April 9, 2027.

Contact for Questions

If you have a question, please send an e-mail to scholarship@7x24carolinas.org no later than Friday, April 9, 2027.

All questions should include your full name, email address and phone number. Please allow a 72-hour turnaround time for responses. 

Requirements for Submission

Applicants MUST use this application platform to ensure that you are fulfilling the mandatory requirements needed to maximize the potential of becoming a 7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter Award recipient.

PLEASE NOTE: All communications between 7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter and the applicant will be directly with the candidate only.

Please provide:

• Information requested on the form below.
• Please provide a copy of your UNOFFICIAL transcript and FINAL report card (OFFICIAL transcript will be required following the Spring 2027 Semester).
• Acceptance Letter from your University (necessary for high school awards or transfer students seeking scholarships).
• Resume (work experience, leadership, activities, etc.)
• One essay

Student must meet the above requirements to be eligible.

Value of Each Award:

Over $50,000 will be distributed among the multiple awardees from the 2027 Scholarship programs. (Quality of application drives the amount awarded)

Use of Award:

The scholarship may be used only for school-related tuition, room and board expenses for the academic year of 2027-2028. Funds will only be distributed to the institution the award recipient is attending.

• Institution Bill from the Financial Aid/Cashier’s Office at the institution (should break down expenses to attend) (Award Winners only – this will be required prior to disbursements of funds)

Eligibility Criteria

• Any Spring 2027 graduating high school senior through graduate school student. 
• Students must be enrolled in a 4- or 5-year accredited college or university or related community college program and interested in a career in the data center industry. (Such as but not limited to; Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Civil Land Development, Computer Science Programs, Cyber security, Construction Management or related field.) Students enrolled in Trade Programs will also be considered.
• Student must be registered as a full-time student in the Fall of 2027 to apply for this scholarship.

NOTE: The 7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter reserves the right to disqualify any application at its sole discretion. All decisions by the Scholarship Committee and/or the Board of Directors regarding the award of scholarships are final.

What to expect:

• Applications are due no later than April 9, 2027.
• The scholarship selection committee will review all applications and select finalist for interviews by May 7, 2027.
• Application finalists may be invited to participate in virtual interviews with the scholarship committee. Interviews will be conducted on or around the week of May 10, 2027.
• The Selection Committee will make the final award selections by May 28, 2027. Scholarship recipients will be notified via email no later than June 4th, 2027.
• Scholarship recipients will be invited to participate in a 7x24 Exchange Carolinas Chapter event in the Summer of 2027. Details to follow.

                                                                                                                                                          apply today