// MESSAGE FROM the school head
This has been another busy year in the McWhorter School of Building Science. This past fall and spring we continued to have a record number of students in the undergraduate program and we predict we will have over 700 students in the undergraduate program by Fall 2024 There continues to be strong demand for our graduates, with record company participation at our career expos and 100% career placement This past year we welcomed several new faculty and our first-ever researcher to Gorrie We have included articles on Jake, Bob and Ken so you can get to know them
This issue’s cover features Auburn’s new Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, which several of our faculty and students had the opportunity to work on during its construction This state-of-the-art facility will play an important role in the upcoming 60th Associated Schools of Construction International Conference, which we are hosting for the fourth time in April 2024 This edition of Quoin includes information about the conference and the role Auburn’s faculty have played in this organization’s leadership
When Dr Christopher B Roberts was installed as Auburn’s President last April, he set a goal of creating the best student-centered experiences in the nation This is something we believe in very strongly You will see many examples within these pages of how we are trying to meet these expectations. There are articles on student internships and our study abroad programs that are up and running again after the pandemic We also have an article on how annual networking events between students and industry help fund scholarships
It is always good to hear what our alumni are doing in this great industry of ours, and this issue contains several features on both recent and more experienced alumni Shannon Sapp ‘94 is giving back to industry in many ways, most notably in the leadership role he plays with the AGC Education and Research Foundation, which oversees the awarding of scholarships that many of our students receive
We also have a feature on the innovative research that Associate Professor Junshan Liu is doing in the area of digital reality capture for historic preservation Finally we salute the wonderful staff in the school who go above and beyond to promote our programs at various conferences and conventions around the country
Richard Burt, Ph.D.
McWhorter Endowed Chair and Head
McWhorter School of Building Science
Auburn University
cadc auburn edu/construction
/auburnbuildingscience
@au_bsci @au_bsci
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SHANNON SAPP �94
Shannon Sapp is President and CEO of Merit Construction in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Shannon Sapp graduated from the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) in 1994 and started working at Merit Construction in Knoxville, Tennessee, just two years later Fast forward 27 years and Sapp is now President & CEO at Merit having worked his way up through the company in various positions like Project Manager, Estimator and Chief Operating Officer “Looking back , there are a lot of people along the way who prepared me for this role,” he stated “It’s an honor to be here, and I have a lot of appreciation for the people who worked alongside me in my career and helped me to get here ”
As President & CEO of Merit , Sapp currently oversees the operations of the company and its more than 85 employees While most of his focus is on the overall company operations, he does maintain involvement in the business development , pre-construction and project management aspects of the company’s work “It’s fun to be a part of the bid day energy,” he said “I’m regularly out on our job sites, meeting with clients and helping our project teams get what they need to be successful ”
Over the years, Sapp has been involved with a wide variety of projects, from medical and educational to commercial and retail Merit has built three proton therapy centers in Knoxville, Nashville and Orlando These cutting-edge healthcare facilities require specialized construction, and Sapp says Merit developed that expertise when a long-time customer approached them with a project “At the time, there weren’t very many proton therapy centers in the U S ., so there weren’t many people who had that experience Figuring out how to build something that specialized meant working with some really brilliant people It’s fun to be able to build unique projects like that ”
Looking back, there are a lot of people along the way who prepared me for this role. It's an honor to be here, and I have a lot of appreciation for the people who worked alongside me in my career and helped me to get here.”
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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT
SHANNON SAPP
When he’s not managing operations at Merit , Sapp is very active with Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and was elected to serve as Chair of AGC’s Building Division for 2022-23 Shannon currently serves on the boards of the AGC Education and Research Foundation, the AGC of Tennessee and the Knoxville AGC He is a past president of the Knoxville AGC and also served as Chair of AGC’s National Steering Committee for the Construction Leadership Council He is grateful to have been involved with AGC both from a professional and a personal standpoint “The AGC advocates for our industry, promotes programs like Auburn’s and stands behind the students and the faculty with scholarships and learning opportunities,” he stated “One of the best things that’s come out of my involvement are the relationships with my peers in the industry Some of my best friends have been people I’ve met through the AGC ”
Sapp makes a point to meet with Auburn students every year at the AGC annual convention He encourages them to remain involved with AGC after graduation and advises them to get out in the field and gain experience through internships “The most important lesson I learned at Auburn was the importance of internships BSCI has really ramped up its internship program, and I think that’s invaluable for the students Internships connect the dots and bring to life those lessons learned in the classroom ”
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JAKE ELBRECHT Hired as Mass Timber Researcher
Auburn alum Jake Elbrecht has been hired as a Visiting Assistant Research Professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI).
His primary responsibilities include researching mass timber construction and teaching courses on mass timber to both building science and architecture students
Elbrecht graduated from Auburn with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Science in Architecture with an emphasis on Public Interest Design As a student Elbrecht spent five semesters at Rural Studio, including his undergraduate thesis year and his graduate studies While at Rural Studio, Elbrecht worked with faculty members, external partners and other students on the Breathing Wall Mass Timber Research Project , studying the engineering theory that conduction losses through a building’s envelope can be greatly reduced or eliminated through intentional heat recovery efforts in the structure of the wall “Our design-build research focused on two parts: how you design the connections between different types of mass timber elements, like floors and walls, and how the inherent thermal properties of wood reduce the need for additional insulation and building systems,” he explained After graduating with his master’s Elbrecht held a 12-month research fellowship with New Orleans design firm EskewDumezRipple He then spent a year and a half as a Research Associate at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat before joining BSCI in Spring 2023.
Having a solid education in this field will make Auburn graduates more competitive with their peers immediately after graduation.”
JAKE ELBRECHT
Elbrecht feels it is vital that Auburn grads have experience in mass timber design and construction especially given Auburn’s location in the Southeast “This region of the United States has the natural resources and manufacturing facilities coming online to support greater amounts of mass timber construction,” he said “Having a solid education in this field will make Auburn graduates more competitive with their peers immediately after graduation ” He will be teaching an interdisciplinary undergraduate seminar for building science and architecture students so both disciplines have a firm understanding of the roles, responsibilities and perspectives of the other
Though his background is in architecture, Elbrecht says he’s excited to begin his academic career in BSCI in an interdisciplinary fashion. “The scope of my position allows me to look at everything from cost estimating in the preconstruction phase to evaluating increases in the speed of construction after completion,” he stated “Among many other things, I’m looking forward to researching alternative connections so mass timber buildings can be disassembled at the building’s end-of-life ”
“We’re thrilled to have Jacob join our faculty,” stated BSCI School Head Richard Burt “His research background is impressive, and his knowledge and experience in mass timber construction will help the school and the college build a strong research program in this growing area ”
Learn more about the Auburn Mass Timber Collaborative at aub.ie/AMTC
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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS
Welcome to BOB MUIR
Bob Muir has been named as BSCI’s newest Senior Lecturer.
Muir joined the faculty of the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) in Fall 2023. He holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech as well as a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Drexel University.
Prior to joining the faculty at Auburn, Muir spent five years at Virginia Tech as a professor and Chair of the Construction Engineering & Management Program. He also spent ten years at Drexel as an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Construction Management Program. Having coached plenty of Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) competition teams in the past, Muir was eager to do the same at Auburn. Last fall, in his first semester as an Auburn Building Science faculty member, he led a team of students at ASC’s Region 2 competitions. Muir’s team participated in the Concrete category and placed first. “The prevailing culture at Auburn promotes student engagement and professional development and is a hotbed for student competition teams. Coaching student competition teams at Auburn is the opportunity ofa lifetime!”
Muir worked 30 years in industry before entering academia for 15 years. He has worked the last three years as resident engineer at HDR, a position he began in 2020. “The uncertainty when COVID hit presented the ideal timing to go back out into the field for one last hurrah,” he said. “Now that the project is nearing completion, it’s time for me to return to what I believe is my true calling: teaching, coaching, mentoring and leading service learning projects.” He will initially teach undergraduate courses in Contract Documents, Structures II and Construction Field Lab.
“We are so glad Senior Lecturer Muir has joined our faculty,” stated BSCI School Head Richard Burt. “I have known Bob for several years. I know his vast experiences in industry and coaching competition teams, as well as his love of service learning, make him a very valuable addition to our faculty.”
The prevailing culture at Auburn promotes student engagement and professional development and is a hotbed for student competition teams. Coaching student competition teams at Auburn is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
BOB MUIR
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FACULTY/STAFF NEWS
Sands joins the faculty at BSCI as Assistant Professor. Welcome to KEN SANDS
Ken
Welcome to new Assistant Professor Ken Sands! Sands joined the faculty of the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) in fall 2023 He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in construction management from Florida International University as well as a Ph D in Environmental Design and Planning from Virginia Tech
Prior to joining the faculty at Auburn, Sands spent the last four years teaching in the Department of Construction Management at Florida Gulf Coast University He also spent seven years teaching at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, both as an adjunct and a faculty member In addition to teaching, Sands has worked in the industry as a Project Coordinator and Estimator for general contractors in Miami and Miramar Florida His research focuses on construction safety and health, microcredentials for construction, construction education and workforce development and enhancement programs for construction
Professor Sands will be teaching Construction Information Technology I as well as Estimating and Costing classes Having coached students in competitions in the past, he was eager to become involved in BSCI's competition teams. In February, he led a team of Auburn students at the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) competition in Las Vegas. The team secured third place overall. “I believe co-curricular experiences like competitions and networking events as well as out-of-class discussions and informal mentoring are essential to the teaching-learning relationship,” he stated. “I thoroughly enjoy being part of those experiences and that aspect of teaching.”
“We are very excited to have Assistant Professor Sands joining us,” stated BSCI School Head Richard Burt. “His experiences in academia and industry along with his enthusiasm for teaching make him an excellent addition to our faculty.”
I believe co-curricular experiences like competitions and networking events as well as out-of-class discussions and informal mentoring are essential to the teaching-learning relationship. I thoroughly enjoy being part of those experiences and that aspect of teaching.”
KEN SANDS
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NEWS
FACULTY/STAFF
BSCI Students Gain HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN INTERNSHIPS
McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) students have an impressive 100% placement rate for postgraduation jobs.
Aside from the great education they get at Auburn, why is it so easy for BSCI grads to find work? The answer may lie in the quality and quantity of internships they complete Whether they end up back at their same employer after graduation or find a completely new firm young graduates have said that internships are a valuable part of a building science education
KAMERON MATHEWS , who is planning to graduate from BSCI in December 2024, has completed two internships so far in his college career Mathews secured his first summer internship with MorrisShea Bridge Company Inc in Birmingham Alabama at the career fair in the spring of 2022 , his first semester as a transfer student at Auburn “It was my first time going , so I followed the advice of my professors who highly recommend speaking with as many companies as possible at the career fairs ,” he explained “MorrisShea was actually the last company I spoke to that day ” His second internship with McCarthy Building Company in Atlanta in the summer of 2023 came by the way of connections he made in Associate Professor Lauren Redden’s Intro to Construction class , when Shannon Lightfoot , Director of VDC for the Southern Region from McCarthy came to speak to the class “I want to work in Building Information Modeling (BIM), which is a specific but not super common department ,” he explained . “McCarthy's BIM team is not only established and robust in their services and capabilities , but they are growing in terms of personnel and what benefit they can provide to the client and project Their culture and the type of work I'd be doing is what attracted me the most ”
At Morris-Shae, Mathews’ duties including doing initial estimates on documents as they came in, counting and recording quantities that were needed quickly and reviewing spec sheets and drawings for any points of concern When he was on site, his job was to document how much concrete was used in a day along with other data like additives and time “At Morris-Shae, I originally expected to be doing random tasks or punch list items on the jobsite every day,” he stated “While that did become the case later in my internship, I was actually a part of their Estimating team for a majority of the summer That was a completely different beast compared to any other job I've had, but I learned a lot about preconstruction and what needs to be done well before groundbreaking ”
At McCarthy Building Company, Mathews’ main duty was to produce lift drawings for the concrete teams on site Using a 3D model of the building , Mathews separated the concrete into individual pours and created construction drawings with plan, detail and isometric views allowing the foremen on site to have clear and detailed visuals of potentially complex or difficult pours “At McCarthy, I expected to be in the office the entire summer, and while this was true to an extent it hardly felt like it We went on multiple trips to active jobsites around Atlanta, always with other interns who I could compare experiences with Additionally we went to the vertical expansion of a hospital multiple times , which showed the complexities and risk of working in such an active and delicate environment Personally, that project revealed to me the effect my work had on coordination and efficiency in the field
Mathews says both internships gave him the opportunity to use Excel tools to manage data and produce metrics that give insight into how time and materials are being utilized “For Morris-Shae, I created a tool that allowed users to input the concrete data we were keeping in notebooks and then automatically produced a cumulative daily report At McCarthy, I worked on a tool to analyze employee timesheet data I coded the bases for both in Visual Basic and used Power BI for the latter's graphs and pie charts ” Beyond the technical skills and on-the-job training he gained in these internships , Mathews says he learned how vital communication skills are and how important coordination between employees , internal and external, is to be successful in the industry “The number one thing I learned is to ask questions! People want to help and teach but if you stay quiet and let the summer ride by then it will ”
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CAREER SERVICES
Kameron Mathews (center)
PARKER TURNER interned with JE Dunn Construction in Salt Lake City, Utah, for an entire year. U pon graduating last May, he was surprised to find himself back out west , this time as a Project Engineer at GE Johnson Construction Company in Denver, Colorado Turner said that his initial connection with JE Dunn came at the BSCI Career Fair and eventually led to his current position with GE Johnson “After a couple dinners and three interviews , I was awarded an internship that took me to northern Utah to work on an industrial factory just 30 minutes south of the Idaho border,” he stated “I later got in contact with GE Johnson through connections I had made in Utah They reached out to me via LinkedIn and sent some Auburn graduates to come to campus and meet with me ” As a student in BSCI’s co-op program Turner was able to take a full semester of classes in the summer that allowed him to do his internship in Utah in the fall then remotely in the spring , pushing RFIs and Submittals while finishing his classes on campus He then returned to Utah to complete his internship in person again over the summer
It’s important to learn to take criticism well, and don’t be afraid to fail as failure on the jobsite is inevitable. You will learn from both your own mistakes and the mistakes of others.”
PARKER TURNER
Turner’s original post-graduation plans were to end up somewhere on the east coast , like Nashville, Tennessee, or Charlotte, North Carolina But when his internship took him out West , he said he fell in love with the mountains and the culture “I do believe one day I will move back to the South, but I also believe there is no better time to travel and see a different part of the world than when you’re young When I was first asked to go out west , I was very hesitant to step away from a semester at college and the South, as I have lived here my entire life However, I learned that I wanted to be somewhere new and that I was ready to consider making a big move across the country for an extended period of time ”
Turner says that some of his responsibilities as an intern included tracking RFIs , managing the submittal log , taking meeting minutes , creating and running punch lists and creating and confirming that all closeout documentation had been completed He was able to learn about industrial construction and how projects go on through snow and ice Turner recommends that incoming freshmen actively pursue every opportunity available to them, especially career fairs “Always try to get out of your comfort zone , as this is where you will grow the most It’s important to learn to take criticism well, and don’t be afraid to fail as failure on the jobsite is inevitable You will learn from both your own mistakes and the mistakes of others ”
HALEY SEYMOUR did four separate internships as a student with Layton Construction in Nashville, Tennessee Originally from the Chicago area, she discovered Auburn’s BSCI program while attending Building Construction Camp while in high school BSCI Career Services Specialist Angie White said she knew Seymour would be successful from the first time she met her “She’s amazing ,” White said “She was a go-getter from the very beginning , and we could all see that She’s such a hard worker and has always impressed me with her drive ” Seymour completed a study abroad program last summer that allowed her to graduate a semester early, and she now works as a Project Engineer with Layton
Seymour attended her first career fair as a college freshman having been encouraged by faculty members to see what was out there “I came to Auburn having very little construction background, so I was determined to gain hands-on experience as soon as possible,” she stated “I wanted to make sure this was the career choice for me, and the only way I would know for sure was getting out there!” She was most interested in learning about the healthcare sector of the construction area and she knew that Layton was very involved in that area
When she began her first internship, her one goal was simply to learn about the industry “I remember walking to the job site on the first day and finding out I was the only female there ” she said “That was an intimidating experience at first , but over time I learned to love the intern role and I had gained respect from all of my coworkers ” That first year she learned to read construction documents on site and helped with checking pay applications , flying a drone and revising submittals She said her next internship on a healthcare new build job, was quite different from the previous summer’s . “I had two women working as my supervisors and they threw as much work my way as they could! They were the first ones to believe in me fully, assigning me subcontractors to call and schedule deliveries , write up submittals , send out RFIs to the architect , conduct punch lists and gather closeout documents ” In her third internship she requested to be placed with a superintendent in the field so she could learn more about processes like daily safety checks , coordination between subcontractors , deliveries and installations and doing a final punch list walk-through with owners
In her fourth and final internship, Seymour was assigned to Layton’s corporate office where she worked closely with the estimating team as well as marketing and business development She learned the software used to estimate jobs , collected bid packages from subcontractors and even got to hand deliver a completed bid package to an important client “Having this final experience helped open my eyes to all the possibilities within the construction industry,” she stated “Now business development is something I have a keen interest in
After four years of interning Seymour accepted a full-time job with Layton’s healthcare division, where she now works on hospital renovations and new builds While she learned about all sides of the industry during her internships , she says the most important skill she learned was problem solving “Nothing will go as planned in construction There is only so much we can control but being able to think fast and bring forth solutions to help save time and money is crucial to the company you work for and the owner you are trying to build lasting relationships with!”
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BSCI Students and Alumni Work on NEW CULINARY SCIENCE CENTER PROGRAM
The Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, Auburn University’s one-of-a-kind hospitality management education facility, was built from March 2020 through September 2022 at a cost of $110 million.
The 142 ,000 square-foot complex , designed by national architecture firm Cooper Carry, stands six stories tall at the corner of East Thach Avenue and South College Street where it combines education with real-life experience for students studying in the state’s only professionally accredited hospitality management program
The building includes spaces for wine education, distilled spirits , a micro-brewery, a bakery and various training kitchens and lecture rooms as well as both a teaching restaurant and hotel and spa The facility’s roof-top amenities include an event center, a garden and a pool When the Rane Culinary Science Center opened in the fall of 2022 , several students and alumni of the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) were able to say they helped bring the building to life
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HIGHLIGHT
Photography: Jonathan Hillyer
CALEB CAMP
Caleb Camp, a 2012 graduate of BSCI , is an Operations Manager with HPM , the firm that served as project manager on the Rane Culinary Science Center project HPM provided project management support for Auburn University Facilities Management during the pre-construction and construction phases of the Rane Center The company has been the Project Manager for several major projects on campus , including the new Pharmacy Research Building and the new College of Nursing building , so he has spent plenty of time at his alma mater since graduating However he said that the Rane Culinary Science Center project was special “It is a great facility,” he said “I got to experience it before the public did, and I got to see Samford Hall every day from the construction site ”
As Project Manager, Camp was responsible for refining the scope and budget alignment that allowed the project to begin, a role that gave him a seat at the table before anyone knew what the facility would look like “We had to help develop what it would become, because at that point Auburn didn’t know,” he explained Camp spent that time meeting with the executive team from the University as a facilitator for pre-construction development He and his team would apply Auburn’s budget to the architect’s design and go back to the executive team for feedback , then refine the budget/ design alignment as necessary In June of 2023, the South Atlantic chapter of the Construction Management Association of America named HPM a Project Achievement Award winner, an honor recognizing HPM’s outstanding achievement in the practice of construction management during the construction of the Rane Culinary Science Center
Looking back, it will be one of those once-in-a-career type of opportunities. I had the privilege to work there every single day.”
CALEB CAMP
“We were there for the initial design through construction completion,” Camp stated “Early on, as design was progressing , we had to prepare by relocating the existing parking area to a parking deck down the street and traverse new utilities under and across the intersection of Thach and College All of that had to be done in alignment with the building’s utility location needs while the surrounding area remained heavily used by the public and the university Overall, the project was a huge undertaking and required significant manpower ” After the project was awarded to a contractor, Camp was on site daily helping the Auburn Facilities Department monitor and document construction activities
Camp said the scale of the project and the impressive final product required an incredible amount of effort from a lot of people “It took a special team It was a great project The contractor, the architect and the Facilities Department all did a great job Everyone was all in and did what it took to get it across the finish line Looking back it will be one of those once-in-a-career type of opportunities I had the privilege to work there every single day
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Above: Caleb Camp (left) served as Project Manager for the Rane Culinary Science Center, while David Aguirre (right) completed a co-op learning experience with HPM in the fall of 2021. Pictured center is Angie White, BSCI's Career Services Specialist.
Right: The Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center features spaces for wine education, distilled spirits, a micro-brewery, a bakery and various training kitchens and lecture rooms as well as a teaching restaurant and hotel and spa.
As a student , recent BSCI graduate David Aguirre completed a co-operative learning experience with HPM in the fall of 2021 He was assigned to work on the Rane Culinary Science Center, assisting Project Managers and the Program Development Manager with construction drawings specifications and other documents along with change orders , monthly cost reports and meeting notes Being a current student who was working on site meant that Aguirre made a perfect tour guide for all of the guests coming through and he says it became one of his unofficial duties “It was incredible seeing so many different people come together and get excited for a project ,” he stated “I really enjoyed giving tours because it allowed me to engage with so many great Auburn alumni and stakeholders ”
Since he was working on site every day, Aguirre enjoyed being able to see the daily progress of the project “Seeing a room develop from a blank box to a luxury space impressed me every day ” he recalled “The owner contractor and architect all had bought into creating the highest quality building possible Every detail imaginable was thought of, and it was great seeing the means and methods to construct such a unique building ” Since the project was about family and cooking , the building was a very personal project for many of the stakeholders , and Aguirre said that he saw the “people” aspect of the construction process in a new light “The biggest lesson I took with me was to take time to understand what the project means to everyone , and I mean everyone It was truly incredible working on such a unique project for the university I love I appreciate all the lessons that everyone at HPM taught me ”
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Photography: Jonathan Hillyer
DAVID AGUIRRE
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AMNA SALMAN
Amna Salman is an Assistant Professor in BSCI and also a recent graduate of Auburn’s Ph D in Building Construction program As a recipient of the Associated General Contractors’ Robert L Bowen Industry Resident Fellowship, she completed an internship with Bailey-Harris Construction Company, general contractor on the Rane Culinary Science Center project This fellowship program is intended to give educators the opportunity to gain field experience that can transfer to the classroom “Through this residency I not only gained hands-on experience but also learned about the current issues related to project management , procurement , site logistics and site safety,” she said “By bringing construction field experience to the classroom, I can enrich my course material with relevant field examples That way my students will be more knowledgeable and can better understand the challenges ”
Working with Bailey-Harris’ Project Manager and Superintendent , Salman was able to not only observe but also assist the team in problem solving “I worked with the VDC team, introducing them to Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies which Bailey-Harris plans to utilize in future projects I also observed visualization issues during owner-architectcontractor meetings and believe that VR/AR/MR technologies can aid in problem-solving and communication,” she stated
Salman said that she took away plenty of information to share with her students , but there is one experience she had on site that now serves as the perfect class exercise During her residency, four columns on the sixth floor failed a strength test , and it was found that the concrete supplier had provided concrete with a much lower strength than designed After detailed discussions and analysis the structural engineer allowed the contractor to retain two columns but required the removal and reconstruction of the other two. “Addressing this structural issue involved concrete cutters , extensive scaffolding to ensure safety and the removal of formwork from the floor above,” she explained “To illustrate the situation to my students , I share videos and images and initiate a class discussion on how they would tackle the structural problems manage the financial burden and handle the relationships among various stakeholders involved Eventually, I reveal the real solution and the party responsible for the fault ”
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JACK SOMMER
BSCI alumnus Jack Sommer was happy to be on the Rane Culinary Science Center site every day working as a Senior Project Manager with Bailey-Harris Construction “It's a fascinating thing to watch a building come to life , especially one that transforms a community,” he stated “It starts with digging in the dirt , and in no time your foundations are in, hinting at what's to come ”
Sommer, who has been with Bailey-Harris for six years , is a 2009 graduate of Auburn’s Master of Building Construction program While the company has completed plenty of projects on campus this was Sommer’s first time working at his alma mater “I returned to Auburn in 2017 after being away for eight years , and it's incredible to see the changes that have taken place on campus in that short amount of time,” he stated
Bailey-Harris broke ground on the Rane Culinary Science Center construction in March of 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was exploding Sommer says that impacted the project in a myriad of ways , from labor shortages and supply chain issues to increased costs of the materials used in every facet of the project “When you have so many parts and pieces coming together into one project , challenges are endless ,” he said He credits the university’s trade partners and contractors’ sheer grit and determination with the on-time opening of the long-awaited facility
Sommer said that with so many locals working on the project , everyone was well aware of how special the facility would be “Many of my co-workers drive by the Rane Culinary Science Center on a daily basis I think they would agree with me that it will never be ‘just another project’ for us ” he said Sommer knows that most every building he helps to create will be standing for decades to come, but the experience of working on the Rane Culinary Science Center felt different because of the sheer scope of the project and the outsized impact it makes on campus “Two and a half years later, I’m standing in front of this amazing new structure grinning ear to ear being one of only a select few that truly understood what it took to accomplish I also know full well that the project is a dream come true for many, some of whom have been thinking about and planning for this project for years , long before the first excavator was even mobilized onsite
Two and a half years later, I’m standing in front of this amazing new structure, grinning ear to ear, being one of only a select few that truly understood what it took to accomplish.”
JACK SOMMER
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Auburn University Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center
PROJECT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
General Contractor: Bailey-Harris Construction Construction Management Firm: HPM
Architect: Cooper Carry—Brian Campa, Lead Architect
Food Service Design Firm: Ricca Design Studios
Special thanks to Jonathan Hillyer, architectural photographer
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Photography: Jonathan Hillyer
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT
MACY WALKER �22
Macy Walker may have graduated from Auburn’s McWhorter School of Building Science fairly recently, but she’s already covered a lot of ground—quite literally.
Walker, who graduated in May of 2022, spent her first year working in industry on the road “Although it was a crazy year, it was a great experience and gave me so many opportunities I never thought I would have ” she stated
Every project has presented itself with different challenges and I have learned so much from each one. "
MACY WALKER
Having interned at Layton Construction in Nashville, Tennessee, during college Walker happily accepted a full-time position there as a Project Engineer after graduation She jumped right back into the same project she worked on as an intern, which was the construction of Rothschild College This building is Vanderbilt University’s newest residential college, an on-campus facility in which students and faculty live alongside one another When that project was completed in the fall of 2022, Walker headed south to Florida and was assigned to work on the vertical expansion of a hospital in Miami However Hurricane Ian soon hit the Gulf Coast of Florida and Walker was sent to Port Charlotte, Florida, to help with remediation work on a community hospital
Her next assignment took her to Austin, Texas, to complete work on a data center and then to Dallas for the expansion of a women’s hospital “Every day looks different for me,” Walker said “My responsibilities include managing RFIs, submittals and change orders but also helping in the field by coordinating with subcontractors and solving problems ”
As a student at Auburn Walker was involved with Design-Build Institute of America, Sigma Lambda Chi and multiple competition teams, competing in divisions that included concrete, international designbuild and Virtual Design and Construction “The class that helped me the most was Professor Paul Holley’s Contracting Business,” she stated “Professor Holley is very knowledgeable and was able to share his personal experiences about how contracts can be used to benefit you Every day I am referring to contracts to have a better understanding of each subcontractor’s scope ”
Walker said that eventually she will return to her home base of Nashville, but for the time being she will continue exploring new cities as she travels to a variety of work sites for Layton “Every project has presented itself with different challenges and I have learned so much from each one I have gotten to see so many different places that I never would have visited otherwise ”
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RESEARCH
AMNA SALMAN
With a profound commitment to research Salman has proven to be a catalyst for innovation and positive change as she received two curriculum grants in her first year She first received the Precast Concrete Institute (PCI) Foundation grant as the Principal Investigator (PI) The PCI Foundation provides $100,000 grants for schools of architecture engineering and construction management to create new precast concrete education programs in coordination with the local precast industry partners “I hold a strong belief that our Building Science and Architecture programs will witness the development of an exceptional precast concrete curriculum This confidence stems from our compelling pool of industry partners, which includes Metromont Precast, Gate Precast, PTAC Engineering and Contech Engineered Solutions ” she stated Assistant Professor Amna Salman is a dynamic scholar at the forefront of reshaping construction education and enhancing health and well-being in the built environment.
Her expertise lies in exploring novel approaches to construction education, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application Through her research, Salman envisions a future where graduates are equipped not only with technical skills but also with adaptability and innovation
The second grant is the Gulf Scholar Program (GSP), designed to enhance the capabilities of colleges and universities in the Gulf of Mexico region by equipping undergraduate students with the skills and mindset to create a more sustainable equitable and resilient future The GSP is funded via a $550,000 grant (based in the College of Liberal Arts) from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Salman will serve as the innovation and entrepreneurship lead on the project team and will organize the virtual learning projects in partnership with Auburn’s Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning “I am so excited about the Gulf Scholars Program because of the impact our students and graduates will make on the region and because it is the type of program Auburn is perfectly suited to build,” she stated “With the collaboration of the College of Liberal Arts, the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, we can tackle topics at the intersection of design environment sustainability and technology in our courses and class projects that directly impact this region ”
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STUDENT EXPERIENCE
BSCI STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS Back to Full Speed in 2023
Students in Auburn’s McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) have study abroad opportunities year-round.
After some interruptions due to COVID-19, BSCI’s study abroad programs are once again running at full speed This past year, several different groups of students and faculty members traveled halfway across the world to expand their knowledge of design and experience new cultures
SPRING 2023
Instead of hitting the beach for a week, a group of BSCI students opted to spend their spring break in Quito, Ecuador, working on a service learning project Under the direction of Associate Professors Alan Bugg and Jeff Kim, the students earned three credit hours while working on the construction of a day care center in an economically disadvantaged Quito suburb They worked alongside local builders using local building techniques When they weren’t working, the students were able to tour historic Quito, hike in the Andes Mountains and take a quick trip to visit the Equator
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Quito, Ecuador
As soon as the spring semester ended, a group of students spent two weeks with Bugg and Associate Professor Lauren Redden traveling around Europe They completed six elective credits studying international construction as well as the historical, legislative, cultural, social and economic factors that influence the conservation of cultural heritage They also learned about the British non-profit Considerate Constructors Scheme, an organization that works to support and guide positive interactions between the construction industry and the general public This trip took the students to London, Paris, a tour of the Normandy beaches Ypres Belgium and Amsterdam
During their travels abroad, the students found real life examples and case studies that helped them to compare construction practices between the U.S. and Europe.”
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London, England
Quito, Ecuador
SUMMER 2023
Also in the summer semester, Associate Professor Mark Tatum led a group of senior BSCI majors on an extended five-week tour of Europe Due to the amount of credits they earned, this study abroad program allowed participating students to graduate a semester early in August 2023 Prior to leaving the country, they enrolled in a two-credit course in which they worked toward completing the majority of their senior theses During their travels abroad, the students found real life examples and case studies that helped them to compare construction practices between the U S and Europe Upon returning to campus, students had the rest of the summer to complete their theses before graduation
Tatum and his students began their trip with a week in Paris where they toured the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, Versailles and the Louvre and then spent four days in Normandy visiting World War II D-Day sites including Omaha Beach Next, they headed to London where they visited Buckingham Palace London Tower and Hyde Park with a side trip to Stonehenge and Bath From England, they traveled to Krakow, Poland, to see the Schindler’s List Factory and Auschwitz, and Prague, Czech Republic They finished the trip with six days in Munich, Germany, studying German engineering at the foot of the Alps In addition to local attractions, the group toured several construction sites throughout their travels The students earned nine credits in electives studying Global Construction Management Multicultural Issues in Construction and Construction Law while also completing work on their theses
In the fall semester, Associate Professor Anoop Sattineni led a group of students to complete a semester of studies in the historical walled city of Urbino, Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site They lived in the University of Urbino dorms while taking trips outside the city to places like Rome, Florence and Venice They completed 13 credits in Italian culture and history, international construction and construction law in addition to working on their senior theses Students got to take excursions to places like Vatican City and the Colosseum
In early November, BSCI students attended Associated Schools of Construction’s Region 8 competition on the campus of Liverpool John Moore’s University in the United Kingdom Bugg and Associate Professor Tom Leathem both coached hybrid teams in the Design & Build division; Bugg’s included students from Auburn and Birmingham City (U K ) University, while Leathem’s was made up of students from Auburn and Liverpool John Moore’s University Professor Paul Holley coached a team of Auburn students in the Construction Management and Quantity Survey division In addition to the competition, students got to do some sightseeing in England
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Quito, Ecuador
FALL 2023
SPRING 2024
After his semester in Italy, Dr Sattineni crossed the globe once again, leading a group of students on a study abroad trip to Australia and New Zealand Students spent time in the Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as well as Auckland, New Zealand as they earned 13 credits They studied Global Construction Management, Multicultural Issues in Construction and Construction Law while also completing work on their theses In addition to academic studies, students took excursions to Olympic Park, Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge Blue Mountains Federation Square Australian Open Docklands, The Great Barrier Reef, Mount Eden and Hobbit Town
SUMMER 2024
In the summer of 2024 BSCI will offer a new study abroad program with an itinerary unlike any other Professor Salman Azhar and Associate Professor Keith Rahn will lead an exciting five-week trip that will have participating students traveling around countries in Asia and Europe This program is open to senior BSCI majors and Master of Building Construction students preparing for graduation
The group’s travels will begin with a week in London, England, and then several days each in Stockholm, Sweden; Berlin, Germany; and Zurich, Switzerland As they travel through these countries students will visit various construction sites as well as the Tower of London, Stonehenge, the Berlin Wall and the Acropolis in Athens From there the students will travel to Greece to see the cities of Athens and Santorini and then spend the remaining 12 days visiting Dubai and Abu-Dabi in the United Arab Emirates
The U.A .E. is home to over $100 billion in construction projects currently underway as well as hundreds of unique structures including the world’s tallest skyscraper and largest 3D printed building This country is home to a rich history that is reflected in art, architecture and cuisine as well as diverse landscapes ranging from skyscrapers to deserts to beaches
While studying construction management practices, students will be exposed to companies, projects, materials and methods different than those they’re familiar with in the U S They will also visit monumental and historic architecture and learn about the unique aspects of historic preservation and restoration in Europe and Asia
All students will earn six elective credits in Global Construction Management and Multicultural Issues in Construction Graduate students will complete a Graduate Capstone project while undergrads will finish their senior theses
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England
HUNTER WHITTEN �17
Auburn alum Hunter Whitten works hard at his job and equally as hard at giving back.
“Volunteering is something I have always been passionate about ” Whitten stated “As an Auburn student I held numerous leadership positions in volunteer organizations, and that prepared me to do the same after graduation ” Whitten, a 2017 graduate of the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI), is a Project Manager for Turner Construction Company in Nashville Tennessee, and a busy volunteer for a host of local organizations
During his time with Turner, he has worked on healthcare projects, commercial office spaces, commercial office renovations and high-rise apartment buildings He is currently working on Gulch Union Phase 2, a 31-story, 306-unit apartment building in downtown Nashville This exciting new concrete structure has two floors of below grade parking, four floors of above grade parking, a precast and glazing exterior skin and a host of amenities including a dog park and a rooftop pool “This has been my favorite project to date,” he said “I am challenged daily with supply chain disruptions competent soil issues and many other issues, but we have a fantastic team who works diligently daily to achieve our goals
During his time with Turner [Construction], he has worked on healthcare projects, commercial office spaces, commercial office renovations and high-rise apartment buildings.”
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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT
Whitten is heavily involved in the Tennessee chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) He has served on the Board of Directors for the Construction Leadership Council and was named Emerging Professional of the Year for Middle Tennessee's AGC in 2022 “AGC is a fantastic way to network and meet other people in our industry locally I have met many suppliers and trade partners at AGC events that have helped me on multiple projects,” he said In addition to AGC, he serves on the Board of Directors for ACE Mentorship Nashville and is Vice President of the Board of Directors of Rebuilding Together Nashville, an organization that makes critical home repairs for local citizens in need In addition to fundraising and organizational oversight he also leads a group of Turner Construction employees each year on an annual build day with the organization “Turner is very passionate about giving back to our communities, so they are incredibly supportive of the work I am fortunate enough to have a role in,” he stated
As a student at Auburn, Whitten enjoyed survey camp and field lab work, but his favorite course was Associate Professor Eric Wetzel’s class on scheduling “To this day I use most of the scheduling basics that he taught us I serve as the Turner ‘superuser’ for P6 in Nashville Huntsville and Memphis and I attribute most of that knowledge to what I learned at Auburn Having a true understanding of scheduling principles has helped me be a better builder and allowed me to succeed,” he said
Whitten says that his Auburn education means he has a solid grasp on what it takes to get work done in the construction industry “I am a firm believer that having a real understanding of how to build is absolutely required in our industry,” he said “It helps all construction managers to know the tasks they are asking the hardworking men and women on our sites to perform The Auburn BSCI program stands head and heels above other construction management programs in the southeast, and I can confidently say the students we hire from Auburn are more prepared than any other student we hire ”
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BSCI Faculty Work with Auburn’s MILLER WRITING CENTER PROGRAM
When students think about preparing to work in the construction industry, their first concern most likely is not their ability to write.
But Senior Lecturer Drew Yantis and several of his colleagues are working to make written and oral communication skills a higher priority for students in the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI)
Yantis has 33 years of industry experience, and his last position before he joined the BSCI faculty in 2021 was Senior Vice President of Holder Construction Throughout his career, he spent many hours on campus recruiting and hiring over 150 Auburn students for Holder A 1987 graduate of the program, he was also an active Auburn alum, serving several years on BSCI’s Industry Executive Board and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Executive Board, including two-year terms as president of each board “While I was in industry, I had a passion about our students’ ability to effectively communicate ” he said “Construction is really a business about people, and in order to be successful, you have to be able to effectively communicate both in writing and orally ”
Several years ago he found that the Miller Writing Center located in Auburn’s Ralph Brown Draughon Library, was a great resource for faculty members who want to help their students improve communication skills “I didn’t even know the Miller Writing Center was here when I started teaching!” he said “But it was a really good place for me to become engaged and to leverage their resources and their knowledge Their facilities help our students become better communicators, principally through writing but also through oral presentations.”
Yantis applied for the program’s “We Write” initiative and was accepted He began by surveying students and professionals in industry to see what academic areas in the BSCI program might need improvement
He and his colleagues were surprised to find that the industry professionals found communication to be extremely important while students did not When the Miller Writing Center launched its “Writing Across Curriculum” (WAC) Academy, Yantis and several colleagues, including faculty members Alan Bugg, Amna Salman, Tom Leathem and Hunter McGonagill, decided to sign up They were joined by teams of faculty and staff from various academic disciplines on campus to better develop expectations and assessment of student writing in assignments “We studied ways we could better incorporate writing strategies related to our discipline into our program ” Yantis said “To hear everybody’s reflection on the importance of writing within their disciplines was interesting While we all spoke different languages, the needs and expectations were all pretty comparable ”
Construction is really a business about people, and in order to be successful, you have to be able to effectively communicate.”
DREW YANTIS
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HIGHLIGHT
Yantis says that the group has presented the lessons they learned in WAC Academy to the other BSCI faculty While their experiences have been helpful to those faculty teaching BSCI’s Construction Communication class, they have been even more impactful on the Senior Thesis program In Senior Thesis, students do a major project that includes a 200-page written analysis and an oral presentation “WAC Academy has helped us to better articulate what the expectations are in terms of writing the thesis,” Yantis said “We have been working over the last two years to make modifications to our grading guidelines We are now including professional writing and delivery as part of the thesis grade instead of just assuming it was already included in each submission ”
Yantis said there is a culture of continuous improvement in the BSCI program, and it has been great to take advantage of the programs at the Miller Writing Center to aid in those goals He recalls a "disaster” early in his career when he had to give a presentation and realized he’d never done one before, and he and his colleagues will keep working to ensure their students don’t face that same problem “What we do now will help us down the road to emphasize and assess our students’ ability to communicate, both in presenting and writing There’s a lot more risk and pressure in the real world While they’re here in the program, it’s a great time to practice, learn and get better
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YANN COWART '88 ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT
Yann Cowart has made quite the transition in the time he’s spent associated with Auburn Athletics.
Cowart started his freshman year at Auburn in 1983 as a walk-on football player; This past year he was credited as the lead architect of the new Woltosz Football Performance Center, a massive 12-acre, $92 million facility that is the largest athletics project in Auburn’s history Cowart, who earned bachelor’s degrees in building science and architecture in 1988, is currently Vice President of Sports Architecture at Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood Inc He is also a member of the Industry Executive Board, a group of professionals who offer advice on industry trends to the faculty of the McWhorter School of Building Science
Cowart has spent much of his career designing sports facilities for collegiate and high school facilities throughout the Southeast Some of his recent projects include Protective Stadium and the UAB Football Performance Center/Legacy Pavilion in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as new football facilities at Clemson University and the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the basketball arena at Jacksonville State The sports design team at Goodwyn Mills and Cawood also recently completed the redesign of the Women’s Basketball locker room at Auburn which, along with the Woltosz Football Performance Center, was featured in Athletic Business Magazine’s 26th Annual Architectural Showcase
Cowart’s first project on Auburn’s campus was the McWhorter Center for Women’s Athletics in the late 1990s “It was the first real job that I had gone out and marketed, secured the client and won the job,” he recalled “It’s still a beautiful building ” He has also completed the football team’s Harbert Recruiting Center, the Yarborough Tennis Center and locker room renovations for the baseball, soccer and track teams He’s worked on several academic buildings as well including the Kinesiology Building the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment building and the Harrison College of Pharmacy laboratory
While the Woltosz Football Performance Center is not Cowart’s first project on Auburn’s campus, it’s certainly the largest The facility includes two full-sized natural grass outdoor fields, an indoor practice facility and a 25,000 square foot strength and conditioning space Cowart says that when designing for athletic teams, it’s important to understand both the physical needs of the athletes and staff as well as the core principles that create a team’s culture and identity However in today’s rapidly changing athletic landscape, Cowart considers industry trends and spends a lot of time interviewing stakeholders to determine how the needs of the team may change “We want to make sure the building has as much potential to do whatever they need to do in the future so it’s got to be flexible adaptable and durable ” he explained “Athletes can be pretty rough on the finishes of a building And the sports world is going to be completely different five years from now so we try to think about that ”
He also knows that the most important part of building athletic facilities is delivering a product that has immense value to the team, whether it helps a coach to recruit or an athlete to perform at a higher level. When he started working on the Woltosz Football Performance Center, he reminded the design team that this project was not about improving their portfolios but about creating a building that would benefit the customer “These buildings are about recruiting This is about presenting a building that prepares those athletes to be as good as they can be and makes them feel at home,” he stated
Between his academic experience, the lessons learned on the football field and the incredible design work he’s done on campus, Cowart says he owes a lot to Auburn University “I’ve been lucky to be associated with it since I was 17 Everything I have has got some tie to this university and the people here Auburn is home ”
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Everything I have has got some tie to this university and the people here. Auburn is home.”
YANN COWART
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Yann Cowart (right)
Newest Hot Spots for BSCI Grads: NASHVILLE AND TEXAS
Auburn Building Science tracks where graduates go each semester, and the data shows that McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) alumni are flocking to Nashville, Tennessee, and cities in Texas.
And if that’s where our graduates are that’s also where you’ll find BSCI’s Industry Advisory Council (IAC) At regional meetings, IAC members get to network with fellow alumni while also helping Auburn faculty to learn more about current challenges and changes in construction
Often hosted by major construction companies, the IAC holds regional meetings for members to share information with faculty and administrators During the day-long sessions BSCI School Head Richard Burt provides attendees with an update on the state of the program and collects feedback from IAC members This feedback helps to ensure that the course content taught in BSCI reflects the rapidly changing landscape of the construction industry
Burt, with the help of BSCI faculty members Tom Leathem and Drew Yantis, has recently started collecting detailed information on graduates’ first five years on the job by looking at recent grads’ job titles, job descriptions and day-to-day duties They are also collecting that same information from attendees at IAC meetings to help with strategic longterm planning Faculty will use that data to evaluate how well BSCI’s curriculum is preparing students to work in the industry and to decide if there are any academic areas that may eventually need an overhaul
This past fall IAC meetings were held in Atlanta Georgia and Birmingham Alabama, but with so many of our new grads heading to Nashville and Texas, the IAC is planning multiple meetings in these locations soon too. If you would like to join the IAC, or if you’re already a member and need to update your contact info, scan QR code below or visit aub.ie/IACjoin
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IAC HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT IAC MEMBERS ARE SAYING
ON THE IAC
Trae Compton Vice President Linbeck Group LLC AUSTIN, TEXAS
“Attending IAC meetings provides a beneficial feedback loop as BSCI Alumni, industry leaders and future employers are able to provide the program with industry trends which may impact those embarking in their careers or just starting the pre-BSCI program Similarly, we’re able to hear how the program is evolving and growing directly from program leaders It’s great discussing industry development with peers For those of us not in the Southeast, it’s wonderful to reconnect as Auburn and Building Science graduates Our experiences in the program and now in the industry, are able to help shape the next generation of builders ”
ON THE TEXAS MARKET
“The Texas market is very unique compared to the rest of the country As a Texas-based firm, we at Linbeck have always been excited to meet students who would be eager to move to Texas. Over the last few years, we have seen more students interested in moving to Texas, especially the Austin/Central Texas region I’m hopeful we will continue to see this trend,” Compton said
…it’s wonderful to reconnect as Auburn and Building Science graduates. Our experiences in the program, and now in the industry, are able to help shape the next generation of builders.”
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TRAE COMPTON
ON THE IAC
Hunter Whitten
Project Manager Turner
Construction
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
ON THE IAC
Justin Walker President CEI General Contractors
FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE
“I think alumni can really benefit from attending IAC meetings to get an understanding of what the students we are hiring are learning I think Auburn does a better job of this than most programs which allows our students to remain the best in the industry once they graduate For BSCI, the value is hearing what is happening in the construction world so the professors and Dr Burt can implement programs based on that feedback that will ultimately allow the students to be better prepared The IAC meetings I have attended have always resulted in new connections and a chance to visit with my former professors I am also a firm believer in staying in the loop with our BSCI faculty so that we can help assist them and current/future students ”
ON THE NASHVILLE MARKET
“The Nashville construction market is one of the best in the country right now As a young alumnus there is arguably no better market to start your career in as there are so many types of construction projects underway from big, $200M+ projects in the commercial sector as well as a significant amount of healthcare, retail and industrial work There are multiple $1B+ projects in the Nashville pipeline including the new Tennessee Titans stadium, Oracle’s office campus and future airport work at Nashville International Airport ”
“Whether it’s the latest technology or hands-on interactive projects that the department offers, BSCI creates a phenomenal foundation for the construction career and does an outstanding job utilizing industry professionals to help shape the program ”
ON THE NASHVILLE MARKET
“Nashville is the “IT” city right now, and major growth leads to a hot bed for construction This has brought a lot of the large major general contractors to open offices here to build hotel/office/retail and condo/ apartment buildings Not to mention it is a really fun and beautiful place to live with music, entertainment, professional hockey, football and soccer along with SEC football You are also in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains and the Tennessee state parks offer hiking, camping and fishing right at your back door
BSCI creates a phenomenal foundation for the construction career and does an outstanding job utilizing the industry professionals to help shape the program.”
JUSTIN WALKER
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The more connected we are as BSCI alumni, the greater impact we’ll have in the construction industry at a national level.”
JASON WEEKS
ON THE IAC
Jason Weeks Regional Vice President Brasfield & Gorrie
DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TEXAS
“Dallas-Fort Worth is over 700 miles away from Auburn, so being able to hear updates from BSCI leadership while being with fellow alumni is a great way to stay connected The more connected we are as BSCI alumni, the greater impact we’ll have in the construction industry at a national level I appreciate seeing familiar faces and catching-up with both fellow alumni and the BSCI staff I’m not able to make it back to Auburn near as much as I’d like, so the IAC meetings are a great way to create some energy around the BSCI program for alumni in certain markets Also I think most BSCI alumni have a strong sense of pride about their time in the program, so I’m excited and humbled to have any chance to be a part of serving and giving back to the faculty and students ”
ON THE TEXAS MARKET
“In the last two or three years, we’ve seen an uptick in grads from Auburn and other SEC schools interested in Texas What Texas lacks in tall trees rivers and mountains it makes up for in opportunity The markets here are very large, very diversified and very competitive, and we see a higher quantity of larger, complex projects throughout the Texas construction markets I think moving to Texas can be exciting for those young alumni who are interested in opportunity and complex projects while still being in a place that feels somewhat culturally Southern ”
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BSCI Staff HIT THE ROAD
The next time you’re at a trade show or industry expo, take a look around for representatives from the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI).
As the Administrative Support Specialist for graduate programs, Joline Landry is just one of the BSCI staff members you may spot at a show near you “We started going to conferences and expos in 2013 just to promote the distance program ” Landry said “Now we promote all of our programs as well as career placement and BSCI summer camps ” Along with Landry, staff members Eva Wesche, Brandon Clarke and Angie White all take turns attending conferences across the country They have attended expos hosted by a wide range of industry organizations, including Associated General Contractors of America the Construction Management Association of America, Design-Build Institute of America and World of Concrete
The staff members say that trade shows and conferences are a great way to get out the word about educational opportunities at Auburn Many companies that are looking for educational incentives for employees are pleased to learn about BSCI’s distance education programs The staff members also love meeting people from around the world and connecting with Auburn alumni “They always yell out ‘War Eagle,’” Landry said “They light up when they see us there, and we love to talk with them and promote our programs ” Wesche agrees that being noticed by alumni is always fun “They absolutely love it, especially when they see Aubie!” she stated “It connects them back to their Auburn Family ”
If you see these friendly representatives at a conference please stop by and say hi, and if you know of a conference that would be a good opportunity for promoting BSCI, please reach out and let us know!
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STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
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Brandon Clarke Administrator of Academic Programs
Eva Wesche Administrative Support Specialist
Joline Landry Administrative Support Specialist
Angie White Career Services Specialist
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer. Please Recycle Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 9 Auburn, AL Address Service Requested Quoin Newsletter of the McWhorter School of Building Science 1161 W. Samford Ave., Bldg. 8 Auburn, AL 36849-0001 // NOTICE This is the final printed version of the McWhorter School of Building Science Quoin. Those interested in receiving a digital copy of Quoin can submit their email address to Angie White at acw0084@auburn.edu.
