Building a Future
Meet 2026 USA Scholarship Recipient Zachary Brengle
Zachary Brengle of New Market, Maryland, understands the drive it takes to overcome life’s unexpected roadblocks. As the 2026 recipient of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) scholarship, he’s ready to channel that determination into a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Brengle is a proud member and instructor with Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 5 and a member of the USA. His union connections are rooted in education, community service, and a sense of brotherhood.
“I came from a blue-collar background, but when I first joined the union, I didn’t buy into the brotherhood thing,” Brengle said. “I held a grudge and didn’t think my role was valued. But my coworkers helped bridge that gap. When I was an apprentice sleeping in my car, a coworker found me a place to live. They showed me what the union stands for.”
After high school, Brengle initially attended college but placed his studies on hold until he could find a clear direction. He ultimately found his footing in an apprenticeship with Local 5, graduating near the top of his class.
While working full-time, he continued taking college business management courses on his own time. Along the way, a few computer science classes completely shifted his career outlook. He fell in love with the versatility and problem-solving challenges of tech, eventually earning his associate’s degrees in both computer science and cybersecurity.
However, his momentum was interrupted last year when he was hit by two semi-trucks in separate, non-fault vehicular accidents. The physical recovery and rigorous physical therapy schedule forced him to take the spring semester off, derailing both his academic timeline and his personal finances.
The $5,250 annual scholarship from the USA—which covers unlimited undergraduate courses online at Franklin University for up to six years and includes free textbooks—provides Brengle with the critical financial relief he needs to return to school this fall without interruption.
He plans to combine his real-world field experience with his degree in technology to create innovative safety solutions for the construction trades. Recognizing that the construction industry suffers from high rates of workplace accidents, he envisions programming sophisticated alert systems and equipment capable of identifying faults and flagging hazards before they become fatal.
Before being injured, Brengle regularly stepped up to volunteer, leading food drives at Frederick Community College, cleaning up the Frederick City Waterway, participating in “Christmas in April” projects, and volunteering for the Frederick Literacy Council. Whether he is donating to a union toy drive or participating in the PTK Scholar Dash for charity, he consistently seeks out new ways to serve those around him.
Going forward, Brengle wants to help on and off the job site. After losing a close, personal friend, mentor, and union brother to suicide, Brengle wants to develop technology that streamlines access to mental health resources. “We work with young men in the trades, and they’re not encouraged to handle this kind of thing,” he said. “I try to encourage them to talk to someone, anyone. I just try to reach out to anyone in my friend circle that I haven’t heard from in a while.”
For Brengle, the scholarship is the tool he needs for his next chapter. “I definitely had some tough times when I was younger, and I wasn’t always eager to take on new opportunities,” he said. “But after going through a six-month layoff a while back, I made a decision to learn everything I could—every tool, every technique. The union provides opportunity.”
Brengle with representatives from Franklin University and EBS at the 2026 USA Conservation Gala.
About the Union College Benefit
In late 2024, the USA partnered with Employee Benefit Systems, Inc. (EBS) to provide USA members with access to the Union College Benefit, designed to make higher education more accessible and affordable. By taking advantage of the benefit, union members and their families can pursue unlimited associate and bachelor-level courses online at Franklin University, with free textbooks and flexible scheduling to accommodate working adults. The program offers up to 50% discounted tuition rates at EBS network colleges and universities, supporting over 150 degree programs and certificates, including business, education, IT, and more.
The USA scholarship is valued at $5,250 per year for up to six years of continuous enrollment, empowering dedicated union members like Zachary to achieve their professional dreams while continuing to serve their communities.
