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K-State Today

February 17, 2017

K-State Associated General Contractors student chapter awarded chapter of the year at national level

Submitted by Frank Sandoval

The K-State Associated General Contractors student chapter was awarded the 2016 National Student Chapter of the Year award by Associated General Contractors of America. The award will be presented at the Associated General Contractors National Convention March 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The student chapter also was recognized at the 2017 Associated General Contractors of Kansas board of directors meeting and the KanStuct/Associated General Contractors of Kansas state convention awards program Feb. 1-3 in Wichita for its achievement.

This award is based on the body of work performed by the student chapter during the 2015-2016 school year, with a special emphasis on volunteer community service projects. The three primary projects of local and national significance included the alternative break service project for Habitat for Humanity's Collegiate Challenge program in Taos, New Mexico, Jan. 10-16, 2016; construction of the Story Store sound booth for the Chapman Center for Rural Studies' "Going Home: Hidden Histories of the Flint Hills" exhibit that was displayed Sept. 24, 2016, through Jan. 9, 2017, at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan; and assisting with the construction of a Habitat for Humanity home in St. George. These projects allowed the student chapter to apply its members' construction experience and expertise, as well as educate younger members, to help communities in need of these skills. The K-State student chapter takes pride in its nearly 50-year history of community service projects for local and national not-for-profit organizations.

In addition to the strong support of Associated General Contractors of Kansas, its members, and the architectural engineering and construction science department, the student chapter received generous grants from Target, the K-State Student Government Association and the College of Engineering, as well as funding from the Chapman Center for Rural Studies, directed by Bonnie Lynn-Sherow, to underwrite the service projects. These successful collaborative relationships greatly contributed to the selection for this award.

Associated General Contractors of America, in conjunction with regional chapters in each state, supports nearly 200 student chapters nationwide. Student chapters exist at accredited two- and four-year schools offering programs in construction management, construction technology, and construction-related engineering. Schools must be accredited by Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology or the American Council for Construction Education. Membership in an Associated General Contractors student chapter provides young professionals with an opportunity to learn, observe and develop their skills with current leaders in the industry.

Eleven officers from K-State's student chapter, along with faculty advisors Shannon Casebeer, assistant professor, and Ray Buyle, associate professor, in the architectural engineering and construction science department, will travel to Las Vegas for the annual Associated General Contractors student chapter meeting and presentation of the chapter of the year award at the National Convention.

These current chapter officers include the following construction science and management students: Sean Mitchell, president; Andrew Eigsti, vice president; Tanner Lund, treasurer; Nate Sterns, secretary; Matt Hastert, Co-Open House chair; Sam Roldan, fundraising; Hayden Borth, director of chapter activities; Frank Sandoval, public relations; Branson Kocher, alternative break chair; Demetri Praderio, work projects chair; and Phinehas Adams, freshman/sophomore representative.

Other chapter members who were instrumental in achieving this national award include: Bryce Yohn, 2015-2016 president; Tyler Coonrod; Drew Deters, current webmaster; Jordan Heinen; Ross Henry; Doug Lazarus; Cole McDowell; and A.J, Wertzberger.