By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture
PULLMAN, Wash. – A student team from the Washington State University construction management program took third place at the regional Associated School of Construction student competition, the largest construction management competition in the U.S.
It was the fourth year in a row that the commercial team from WSU placed in the competition, which is held annually in Nevada. More than 1,300 students from 44 universities and 17 states participate.
“This group of students came together like no other team I have worked with in the past,” said Jason Peschel, assistant professor in the WSU School of Design and Construction and ASC club advisor. “It’s difficult to clearly express how proud I am of their hard work and dedication.”
WSU’s team took third in the commercial category, which consisted of 15 teams from schools in California, Oregon and Washington. Students were required to develop a proposal for a real-life construction problem in less than 24 hours. The problem was provided by the industry sponsor, Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
Students used construction management skills, such as scheduling, estimating, site logistics, site safety and technical writing. The following day, the team gave a formal presentation to competition judges, supplemented by a question and answer session.
WSU teams also competed in the design-build and heavy civil categories. Teams predominantly consisted of construction management students, with two architecture and construction management double major participants.
The winning student team included Kyle York, Jordan Alcafaras, Kelsey Gardner, Matt Paonessa, Michael Ruether and Brad Neudorfer.
Contacts:
Jason Peschel, WSU School of Design and Construction, 509-335-2648, jpeschel@acm.wsu.edu
Tina Hilding, communications coordinator, WSU Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, 509-335-5095, thilding@wsu.edu