CWU construction program gets boost from AGC

With help from the AGC of Washington an endowment has been established at Central Washington University’s Construction Management program that provides continuous funding for classroom equipment construction outreach and education.

AGC recently made the last installment on a $50000 pledge for CWU’s program. Dr. Bill Bender Professor of Engineering Technologies Safety and Construction and Michoan Spoelstra Development Officer College of Education and Professional Studies updated AGC Board members at during its April meeting.

Thanks to support from AGC of Washington and AGC-member Lydig construction-management faculty are upgrading and implementing the 3D modeling curriculum” Bender said. “Students will become familiar with clash detection scheduling and project operations using NAVISWORKS. In addition construction management students at Central Washington University were able to attend a half-day lean-construction seminar with the help of these funds.

CWU’s program is supported by the AGC Education Foundation (AGCEF) as well as AGC. AGCEF has funded scholarships for dozens of Wildcats over the years in addition to providing grants to the program. With AGCEF support CWU students participate and excel at the ASC competition in Reno every year and gain access to large-scale projects and the individuals running those jobsites through an AGCEF mentorship program.

CWU offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management -- one of several in the universitys Engineering Technologies Safety and Construction Department which is part of the College of Education and Professional Studies.

The program has five faculty and graduates about 35 students per year -- about one-third in heavy/civil construction and about two-thirds in commercial construction.  With financial help from AGC and AGC members Lydig Construction Fisher & Sons and Allen and Inger Osberg students learn in one of the nation’s most advanced facilities for engineering technology. The Hogue Technology Addition opened in 2011 recreates real-world engineering working conditions features plug-ins for solar panels and enables students to see into the structure to understand the construction methods in the energy-efficient building. The building is LEED Gold certified and also provides a living example of “green” design and construction.

Photo: Students gather outside the “AGC Classroom” at CWU.