Quoin Spring 2021

vol. 32

spring 2021

REMEMBERING ROGER RICE 1951–2020

04

06

08 20

03

Message From The School Head Richard Burt

17

Building Science Students Compete in Virtual Competition

04

Building Science Students Remember Senior Lecturer Roger Rice

18

Auburn Building Science Faculty Honored With Awards

20

Rising to the Challenge: Building Science Programs Thrive Despite Pandemic

28

Faculty and Staff Changes Taking Place in the McWhorter School

29

Building Science Program Honored

by Associated General Contractors

30

Questions from Colleagues Q&A with Tom Leathem

06 Auburn Launches Doctoral Program in Building Construction 07 Kathryn Crowley '13 08 Building Science Opens Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab 12 Milwaukee Tool Donates Field Lab Equipment 14 Building Science Awards Endowed Professorships 15 Renovations Complete in Gorrie Room 227

// QUOIN Richard Burt / Head and McWhorter Endowed Chair,

16 Paul Hedgepath '05

McWhorter School of Building Science Madison Champion / CADC Graphic Designer Brandon Clarke / Lead Administrative Assistant, McWhorter School of Building Science

// CONTRIBUTORS Kelley Young / writer

2 \\

// MESSAGE FROM the school head In the last edition of Quoin I wrote that 2020 would be an exciting year for the school. On March 4, 2020 I was driving back from the dedication ceremony for the Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab and thinking to myself how great things were in the school. Earlier that week we had hosted a visiting team from the American Council for Construction Education chaired by Dr. Abdol Chini, the former head of the Rinker School at the University of Florida. Over three days his team evaluated our program against the accreditation criteria, and we received an outstanding review. The next day I attended the dedication ceremony with the university leadership and many of our industry supporters. The following week I was set to attend the AGC National Convention in Las Vegas, where eight of our students would receive national scholarships and the school would pick up a community service award. With spring break around the corner, life was good! Except for COVID! This horrible virus hit the school hard in April, when our much-loved senior lecturer, Roger Rice, died within days of testing positive for the virus. His passing has left a huge hole in the school. In the short time he was with us, his impact was significant. This is evident in the many thoughtful memories we received from students after his passing, some of which you can read throughout this issue. The photograph of Roger

This past year we have also seen the first group of Ph.D. students

on page four captures his personality perfectly; always happy,

enter the program and a number of faculty receive university, state

always positive, always smiling. We all miss him very much.

and national awards. We also welcomed Angie White as our new

You will also read about how the school has adapted to teaching and learning during this pandemic. The shift to remote instruction during the spring semester was a major

Career Services Specialist and Industry Executive Board member, Drew Yantis, as a new Senior Lecturer.

Here’s to a better year in 2021!

undertaking with the faculty successfully adapting to the skills and technologies needed for remote instruction. During this

WDE!

time, our unit technology support team, led by David Royer, worked tirelessly to support faculty and students. During the summer, the school was one of the first programs to get approval to return to face-to-face teaching under strict

Richard Burt

COVID protocols for our summer surveying camps. Paul Holley was able to put together a program that provided a safe environment for the students and allowed them to continue with their scheduled studies uninterrupted. By the fall semester, the vast majority of BSCI classes had a face-to-face component to them and we were able to use the Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab as a base for our service learning projects for the semester.

// 3

IN MEMORIAM

Building Science students remember SENIOR LECTURER ROGER RICE After a lengthy career in industry that took him across the country, Roger Rice returned to his alma mater in the fall of 2017 as adjunct faculty to inspire a new generation of students in the same way that his professors had kindled enthusiasm in him. He had checked off the "bucket list" wish to become a teacher, but his impact on the lives of students had only just begun. He would go on to obtain a senior lecturer position with the school in January 2019.

Few were more engaged in the building construction program than Roger. He was the first to arrive, spent immeasurable amounts of time assisting students with their course work, and always had time for everyone. He often spoke of how his time and money were not his own, but rather a practical means to serve those around him. From the smallest gesture such as learning the names of every student in his often-large classes, to writing a personal check for the materials needed to complete a student service project, he was a man of generosity and action.

Roger never met a stranger. As a building

As one student put it, “The world lost

For those who had the honor of knowing

science faculty member, he made mean-

one of the greatest men I have ever

Roger Rice personally, his passing cuts

ingful connections with everyone he

known. Professor Rice taught me so

deep. Yet in these difficult moments we

met. APLA Associate Professor Emeri-

much more than what he was paid to

are reminded that we are members of

tus Scott Finn shared, “I could tell that he

teach. He shared life lessons, stories,

the Auburn Family. The Auburn Creed

would be one of those teachers who

knowledge, and was always available to

meant a lot to Roger, who truly lived

cared deeply about the students and

talk if we needed advice about anything.

Petrie’s words: “I believe in the human

would help them to succeed, first and

He knew every building science student

touch, which cultivates sympathy with

foremost. This was not about his own

by name and loved them for who they

my fellow men and mutual helpfulness

academic advancement, not about publi-

were. He represents all things that the

and brings happiness for all...And be-

cations or P&T, but about teaching,

CADC strives to be, and never asked for

cause Auburn men and women believe

teaching individuals, and sharing with

recognition because of it.”

in these things, I believe in Auburn and

those students the things about which

love it.”Roger’s tenure at Auburn was

he was passionate.”

short, but his legacy will live on for years to come.

4 \\

“He

helped

me

understand

many

concepts that I had not been able to grasp in other courses. He knew every single student's name he ever had and went out of his way to learn and remember where they were from.

Professor Rice truly embodied what I think is a great Auburn man.”

- Hayley Hendrick

Every day he would say how thankful he was to have the opportunity to teach us, but the opportunity to have him in my life was what I am thankful for. His passion and eagerness to see us succeed and his kind spirit are what I will miss the most.”

WILL TANNER

“My first impression of Roger Rice was the passion he had for teaching. He talked about how he was once in the building science program at Auburn, and he talked about the great professors

“A story I like to tell about him involves

“Professor Rice touched the hearts

he had and how they inspired him to

the career fair. On career fair day,

of every student he taught. He loved

come back and teach in the program.

students park and walk 20 minutes to

each one of us so deeply, cared about

The last class day he brought in pizza

the career fair location. Professor Rice

our

for all 200 students. I cannot say I

would pick students up in his vehicle

University but also in life. He left a

have heard of another professor that

and drop them off at the front door so

lasting impression on every person he

would do something like that for such

they would not be soaked in sweat.

came into contact with and knew each

a large class. He had a heart of gold

When he arrived at the career fair, he

of our names, which meant more to us

and was extremely generous in every

would grab you and hype you up to as

than he ever knew. I looked up to

way possible.”

many companies as possible. This was

Professor Rice because his actions

not a job to him, it was a calling.

were louder than his words, he always

Although Professor Rice is no longer

seemed to know just the right thing to

with us, his impact and legacy will live

say and his smile could cheer me

on forever.”

up even on the hardest of days. I will

- Jack Graffeo

“I remember right before our test retake he had a review session and saw that I

- Justin Wilkes

was almost in tears. He came up to me,

success

not

only

at

Auburn

never forget my professor and friend Roger Rice.”

put his hands on top of my head and

- Alex Ferguson

told me to breath and that he would

“One specific memory that I have is

help me get through it. He didn’t leave

when Professor Rice took us to the top

my desk until I fully understood the

of the parking deck overlooking the

“Professor Rice is one of the greatest

material. He really cared so much about

construction site at Parker Hall. He

people I have ever had the honor of

all of us and constantly did more than

encouraged us to take pictures of

knowing. Over the three courses and

anyone else in his position would do.”

construction sites and to learn from

competition team I took with Professor

them, to spot errors or slapdash work

Rice, I have learned so much. Most of

and to admire great work.”

the things I retain from his lectures are

- Amie Sardinha

- Mitchell Eddleman

not about what is on the syllabus but life lessons from his great career and how to treat people like he treated us.

Every day he would say how thankful he was to have the opportunity to teach

Professor Rice truly embodied what I think is a great Auburn man.”

HAYLEY HENDRICK

us, but the opportunity to have him in my life was what I am thankful for. His passion and eagerness to see us succeed and his kind spirit are what I will miss the most.”

- Will Tanner // 5

PROGRAM UPDATES

AUBURN LAUNCHES DOCTORAL PROGRAM in Building Construction Last fall, the McWhorter School of Building Science welcomed students to the first Ph.D. program in building construction in the state of Alabama.

The start of the doctoral program, which

This association has contributed to a

is one of only seven such programs in

focus on the high-tech visualization and

the country, aligns the terminal degree of

modeling of construction processes and

the

with

products that makes the McWhorter

in

program unique among other academic

building

comparable

science

program

graduate

programs

building construction and construction

offerings

management across the nation.

The average time to complete the

in

the

construction

field.

doctoral degree is three years, and the The doctorate in building construction is

program requires 62 semester hours of

a research-based degree focused on

graduate

generating

bachelor's degree.

new

knowledge

through

course

work

beyond

the

innovative exploration of theory, development of creative perspectives and

Two students, Amna Salman and Kevin

structure courses at Auburn's undergraduate

applications of new technologies to

Hitchcock, began their doctoral studies

building science program as an adjunct

address the challenges of creating

last fall. Amna earned an undergraduate

professor in 2017. Hitchcock holds a bachelor's

and maintaining a sustainable built

degree in architecture in Pakistan in 2007

degree in geology and a Master of Engineering

environment. It emphasizes original,

followed by a dual Masters in Com-

in construction engineering management, both

interdisciplinary

munity

Public

from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

scholarship in key and emerging areas of

Administration (MPA) from Auburn in

He has been a construction educator for fifteen

building construction. The degree is

2013. After working at Auburn as a

years at Lawson State Community College in

suited for students and professionals

campus planner, Amna felt compelled to

Bessemer, Alabama. Both Amna and Hitchcock

interested in advancing their knowledge

build upon and share her knowledge of

are recipients of Presidential Graduate Re-

and

the field and began teaching building

search Fellowships from Auburn University.

skills

in

or

the

cross-disciplinary

areas

of

high-

performance buildings, nD modeling and simulation

of

processes, integrated

building

construction

sustainable

construction,

project

maintenance

and

delivery,

facilities

management

and

innovative construction education.

The program differs from traditional doctoral programs in civil engineering because of the McWhorter School's close association with allied disciplines in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, where it is housed.

6 \\

Planning

(MCP)

and

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

KATHRYN CROWLEY '13 Kathryn Crowley works as a

Crowley is a 2013 graduate of

superintendent at JE Dunn

Auburn’s building science program,

Construction in Tampa, Florida,

where she was heavily involved in

managing teams in the field.

competition teams and leadership programs. She was also a finalist

As a superintendent she oversees

for Auburn University Miss Home-

each project schedule, coordinat-

coming in her senior year, running

ing trade partners’ sequencing,

on a platform of energy efficiency

ensuring quality and promoting

and sustainability. She volunteers

safety onsite. Her area of expertise

her time with several organizations

is Lean Construction management,

in the Tampa Bay area, including

which utilizes the Last Planner®

Habitat for Humanity and Ronald

System of Production Control and

McDonald House, and is active in

focuses on collaboration with proj-

her local chapter of the National

ect team managers, safety and

Association of Women in Con-

efficiency.

struction. In her spare time she is

She volunteers her time with... Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald House and is active with her local chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction.”

an active boater, kayaker, camper and hiker on the National Florida Scenic Trail.

// 7

FACILITIES

The

Building Science Opens ROBINS & MORTON CONSTRUCTION FIELD LAB

laboratory

newly

renovated

field

portunity to build prototypes of tall-

possible

er structures that may need to uti-

through a generous gift of more

lize scaffolding. The onsite classroom

than $1.3 million dollars from

(B) holds 30 to 40 students and was

construction

modeled after a professional con-

was

made

management

firm

Robins & Morton.

The College of Architecture, Design

struction management setting. “The facility that Robins & Morton has

and Construction at Auburn University

Unrivaled in size and capability, the

given us is unique among construc-

dedicated the Robins & Morton

construction field lab features a

tion schools,” said McWhorter

Construction Field Laboratory in

high-bay building (A) with four

School of Building Science Head

March of 2020 and began using it

bays, two of which are fully

Richard Burt. “I’m not aware of any

for classwork fall 2020.

enclosed and protected from the

site with the facilities that it has

elements. With 30-foot ceilings,

both for teaching and for students

this space gives students the op-

to be able to do hands-on activities.”

8 \\

Unrivaled in size and capability, the construction field lab features a high-bay building with four bays...”

A

B

Professor Mike Hosey teaches the service learning course that is a graduation requirement for every building

science

student.

The

Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab is constantly busy with Hosey’s students as they build walls, gather tools and create safety and communication plans.

The field lab has plenty of uses beyond research

coursework, and

including

service-learning

projects. “We have a lot of student groups

that

take

on

service

projects,” said Hosey, “and they'll come to me for help and for tools.

It’s just given us an opportunity to really grow in a lot of ways.”

// 9

Clockwise, from top left: Project and supply storage; high bay building; tool storage; classroom; parking.

10 \\

// 11

With its practical but highly sophis-

apply it in the field is vital to

ticated facilities, the Robins & Morton

their success in the future. “It's

Construction Field Lab is giving

equipment, labor and materials

Auburn students the professional,

that all goes in together to make it

hands-on training they need to be

happen,”

effective construction managers.

students are like a sponge and

While learning theory in the class-

they're wanting to learn as much

room is important, being able to

as they can.”

Hosey

said.

“These

The field lab has [uses] beyond coursework, including research and service-learning projects.”

FACILITIES

MILWAUKEE TOOL Donates Field Lab Equipment Milwaukee Tool has generously donated an important gift-inkind to the McWhorter School of Building Science.

The gift consists of a broad selection of tools and equipment for use at the Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab. Representatives from Milwaukee Tool arranged the tool display at the field lab to mimic a retail setting. Students will check tools out for field use by scanning them with an app on their phones which will enable faculty to monitor where each tool is being used. In addition to the initial gift, which is worth more than $15,000, Milwaukee Tool will replace or repair any damaged tools on an annual basis.

12 \\

// 13

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

BUILDING SCIENCE AWARDS ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS The McWhorter School of Building

The Wilborn Endowed Professorship for

documents,

project

Science at Auburn University has

Senior Faculty has been awarded to

construction

services,

announced the awarding of several

Scott Kramer, and the Wilborn Endowed

procurement and is the editor for the

professorships beginning in the fall

Professorship for Emerging Faculty has

proceedings of the Associated Schools

of 2020.

been awarded to Tom Leathem. These

of Construction’s Annual International

professorships were created through an

Conference. Dr. Kramer holds bachelor’s

Alumni

estate gift from John Edward Wilborn of

and master’s degrees in civil engineering

Committee Endowed Professorship has

Birmingham, the first graduate of the

from Auburn as well as a Ph.D. in

been awarded to Associate Professor

building science program at Auburn in

educational

Darren Olsen. This alumni committee,

1945. Dr. Leathem holds a bachelor’s

undergraduate and graduate courses,

established in 1990, decided to celebrate

degree in construction management and

including Construction Documents and

the group’s twentieth anniversary in

a doctorate in curriculum and assessment

Construction

2010 by funding an endowment to recog-

as well as a Master of Design-Build from

Productivity, and was awarded the 2020

nize

Auburn. He teaches undergraduate and

Auburn Alumni Association’s Award for

graduate

Excellence in Faculty Outreach.

The

Atlanta

Auburn

outstanding

BSCI

faculty.

Associate

Professor Olsen, who holds a bachelor’s

courses

in

construction

degree in building construction and a Juris Doctor degree, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in information technology and estimating.

The

William

A.

Hunt

Endowed

Professorship has been awarded to Professor Salman Azhar. Bill Hunt, along with his wife Ann, chose to show his support of the program by endowing a professorship that has honored former building science professors such as Ed Marty, Paul Brandt and Keith McPheeters.

Bill served on the Building Science Industry Advisory Council, the Dean's Executive Board and the Dean's Club.

The School of Building Science awarded Bill with the Distinguished Service Award in 2001 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. Bill passed away in December 2019. Dr. Azhar holds a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in civil engineering as well as a Master of Engineering in structural engineering. He teaches Structures I and II as well as Research Methods and also serves as the chair of the school’s graduate programs, including the new Ph.D. program in building construction, which was inaugurated last fall.

14 \\

Left to right, top to bottom: Darren Olsen, Scott Kramer, Salman Azhar, Tom Leathem

delivery,

technology.

Labor,

planning

He

preand

teaches

Equipment

and

FACILITIES

RENOVATIONS COMPLETE in Gorrie Room 227 Recent renovations to Room 227 in Gorrie Center included two video screen display walls, multiple glass boards that function as writing surfaces, new carpets and paint.

“What is nice [about the glass boards] is that

Philanthropic opportunities, such as naming

they are on three of the four walls and have

the glass boards, are available. If you are

graph lines superimposed,” said Professor

interested in learning more, please contact

Paul Holley, “so when teaching classes like

Christopher Griffin in CADC’s Office of

scheduling and structures, they are so much

Development at cgriffin@auburn.edu.

better than traditional whiteboards.”

// 15

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

PAUL HEDGEPATH '05 Paul Hedgepath is the Director of Virtual Construction for M.J. Harris Construction Services in Birmingham, Alabama, where he leads all BIM operations.

His responsibilities include coordination

professor and chair of the school’s grad-

with design teams, owners and estimat-

uate programs, said that Hedgepath has

ing and construction teams in the field.

helped several graduate students com-

Through this collaboration, he incorpo-

plete and publish their research. “He not

rates 3D coordination and visualization,

only shared new ideas for research but

4D schedule sequencing, 5D quantity

also significantly assisted our students in

and cost analysis, BIM-enabled facilities

relevant data collection and analysis,”

management and Lean Construction.

Azhar stated. “He helped several of our graduate students to successfully com-

[Paul] is always excited to get involved in any way he can.”

TOM LEATHEM

16 \\

A 2005 graduate of the McWhorter

plete

School of Building Science, Hedgepath

findings in conferences and journals.”

was recently awarded the school’s

Assistant Professor Tom Leathem added,

Distinguished Service Award. For the

“Anytime we contact Paul, whether it be

past several years, he has lent his skills

to present a guest lecture to our students,

to the school’s building construction

conduct a demonstration or provide

programs,

and

insight about technology innovations in

teaching expertise in the area of innova-

construction, he is always excited to get

tive technologies. Dr. Salman Azhar,

involved in any way he can.”

providing

guidance

their

capstones

and

present

UNDERGRADUATE UPDATES

BUILDING SCIENCE STUDENTS COMPETE in Virtual Competition Every semester, students from the McWhorter School of Building Science compete in regional competitions hosted by the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC).

Although the competitions were held virtually last fall, the students who participated benefitted from the experience in new ways.

Fall semester’s team had only three weeks to

Auburn normally competes in ASC Region 2,

prepare for the competition instead of the

which encompasses the southeastern United

months they’re accustomed to. “We threw

States, but last fall’s Region 2 competition was

it together very fast,” said team captain

postponed to spring, so Assistant Professor

Cameron Mercer. “We really had to push hard

Dr. Wesley Collins entered the team in an open

and do our research early.” Once they received

category in Region 3, the Great Lakes region.

construction and contract documents from

Under normal circumstances teams have the

Lithko Contracting Inc., the sponsor of the

opportunity to conduct on-site research, but

competition, they had the material they need-

competing in a different region meant a site

ed to begin their work. “We started by doing

visit

an analysis of the job site, a review of the geo-

challenge of designing a Midwestern manufac-

technical report and a review of the logistics

turing facility also meant dealing with some

and how the surrounding area was laid out,”

unfamiliar construction techniques.

was

impossible.

The

competition’s

Mercer said. Competing in the open concrete category, the team set themselves up as a

The team benefitted from Zoom meetings

mock concrete subcontractor called Plainsman

with the project managers at Lithko every day.

Concrete Services and created a jobsite-spe-

After a week of intense work, they presented

cific Request for Proposal. With team captain

virtually to a panel of judges in a socially

Mercer acting as the project manager, every

distanced roundtable format, broadcasting

team member was assigned a role in the com-

from the conference room in the Miller Gorrie

pany. Craig Stanford was project engineer,

Center.

Reeves Brashear was superintendent, Macy

Lithko Contracting then provided a presenta-

Walker was virtual design manager, Matthew

tion explaining how the real project was actual-

Hazelwood

ly completed. “It’s fun to see where you were

was

design

coordinator

Hudson Dorough was estimator.

and

Following

competition

protocols,

right and where you were wrong,” Mercer said. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the specially designed and equipped competition rooms in Gorrie Center got plenty of use last fall as students put their skills to the test in a safe and responsible manner.

// 17

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

AUBURN BUILDING SCIENCE FACULTY HONORED WITH AWARDS Several McWhorter School of Building Science faculty have received awards from various organizations this past year.

Professor Scott Kramer, J.E. Wilborn Endowed Professor, was honored with the Auburn University award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach. Kramer’s ongoing outreach projects illustrate his dedication to helping others. Kramer, an Auburn alum who is in his 27th year of teaching, leads building science students on annual service trips to Ecuador, Haiti and Panama. Kramer has developed Construction Field Lab, a required course for all building construction majors in which students build structures for the non-profit organizations of their choosing.

Kramer knows that this course is valuable preparation for real life upon graduation.

“Construction firms always have projects that serve the community, whether it’s a Habitat house or building something for the

community,”

Kramer

observed.

“They’re probably going to be doing it in their professional careers, so we wanted to get a jump start on that while they’re

Assistant Professor Eric Wetzel received

here in school.”

an Auburn University Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award.

Wetzel, who has been teaching at Auburn for four years, is responsible for teaching scheduling and field operations to first semester seniors. His love of teaching stems from watching the progress his students make throughout the course. “I like research, but I really like being in the classroom and seeing students, who may have never built a construction

schedule

in

their

entire

professional lives, having to build three by the end of the semester,” Wetzel explained. “It’s really rewarding to see that growth.” In addition to his teaching award, Wetzel was named to the Alabama Associated General Contractors’ 2020 “40 Under 40” list.

18 \\

The Associated Schools of Construc-

Assistant Professor Lauren Redden

tion (ASC) is a professional organization

was also honored with an ASC Region-

that brings together construction indus-

al Teaching Award. Redden teaches

try insiders and educators to advance

introduction to construction and con-

building science education. Although

struction documents and is the faculty

last year’s ASC conference was post-

advisor for the Construction Manage-

poned, the organization continued to

ment Summer Academy for Young

announce its annual awards, which in-

Women. Redden’s skills as an educator

cluded national recognition for two

and a professional were also recognized

Auburn educators. Professor Salman

by Auburn’s Student Government As-

Azhar was awarded a Regional Out-

sociation, who honored her as a 2019–

standing Educator Award. Azhar, the

20 outstanding faculty member, and by

William A. Hunt Endowed Professor

the Alabama Associated General Con-

and chair of the school’s graduate

tractors, who named her to their 2019

programs, teaches structures I and II

“40 Under 40” list.

as well as research methods.

// 19

CURRENT EVENTS

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE Building Science Programs Thrive Despite Pandemic Instruction and learning at Auburn University might look a little different this year due to COVID-19, but responding to the pandemic has resulted in a number of innovative pedagogical initiatives at the McWhorter School of Building Science.

In March 2020, at the beginning of the

Students also had to adjust to remote

pandemic, Auburn University announced

learning

that instead of returning from spring

semester. Many fourth-year building

break in person, students would be

construction students had been com-

completing all remaining coursework for

pleting co-operative learning experiences

the semester remotely. Despite being

at construction sites all over the United

technologically savvy, some building

States. When spring co-op experiences

science students were anxious about

were cut short, these students were

the transition. Building science (BSCI)

faced with the unexpected challenge of

faculty reassured them that the plan to

completing their final thesis remotely.

go virtual was not only doable but could

BSCI faculty and staff realized that most

also be beneficial. “During our first Zoom

students didn’t have the sophisticated

lecture, I spent some time addressing

industry-relevant hardware or software

the positives of virtual learning (no park-

they needed to do this, and they

ing issues, more time for study, more

immediately devised a plan to loan

time for other hobbies) and spent time

students the necessary equipment from

answering

had

the thesis room in Gorrie Center. Thirty-

specific to our class,” said April Simons,

eight of the 46 thesis students chose to

assistant professor of building science.

accept the offer of equipment, which

“This is a wonderful opportunity to walk

included a desktop PC tower, two

alongside our students and help them

monitors, a keyboard and a mouse for

work through challenges and maintain a

each student. BSCI staff members Angie

positive outlook.” One benefit of remote

White, Brandon Clarke and David Royer

instruction was that faculty members

boxed up the equipment and either

recorded their lectures and made them

shipped it directly to each student’s

available to students to review later.

home or facilitated on-campus pickup.

any

questions

they

during

the

summer

2020

Students were able to review lectures and tutorials as often as needed and could complete work at their own pace. // 21

Some students were notified that their summer

industry

internships

had

been

cancelled due to the pandemic. Fortunately, however, some companies decided to revamp their programs so that students could complete internships virtually. Longtime industry partner Juneau Construction restructured its program to

create

a

six-week

remote

learning

experience called VIP2020 (Virtual Internship Program). Student Anna LaRock said working with both a project engineer and a preconstruction manager at Juneau was an invaluable experience. She was assigned to review submittals, create site logistics plans and complete assignments in Procore as well as tasks that involved estimating, quantity takeoff and bid comparison. “I learned so much about having to be flexible in the construction industry,” she said of interning during a pandemic. “Things are constantly changing, and you have to be ready to meet those changes with a solution.”

Nancy Juneau, CEO of Juneau Construction, said the new internship program was a success. “VIP2020 100% exceeded our expectations,” she stated. “And I think we have set the bar high for our company and our internship program moving forward.”

This is a wonderful opportunity to walk alongside our students and help them work through challenges and maintain a positive outlook.”

APRIL SIMONS

Top left and bottom left: Thesis equipment was available for pickup or shipment to students completing their thesis remotely.

Top right and bottom right: Safety protocols such as facial coverings and social distancing were put in place to ensure an in-person experience was available for students.

22 \\

// 23

Auburn University began the fall semester by offering four different modalities of classes, including remote courses and traditional face-to-face classes.

In blended classes, smaller groups of students met with faculty in person and completed some coursework online. In HyFlex classes, students had the option to go to class in person, attend class live via Zoom or to review video lectures later on their own time. All of these options gave students control over the type of learning styles that work best for them during the pandemic.

Top left and bottom left: Associate Professor Keith Rahn utilizes various educational technology platforms to conduct class remotely.

Top right and bottom right: Building Science students have made social distancing and wearing masks a regular practice in daily life.

24 \\

Four different modalities of classes, including remote courses and traditional face-to-face classes... gave students control over the type of learning styles that work best for them during the pandemic.”

// 25

26 \\

While freshman and sophomores adjusted to new learning modalities, juniors and seniors were concerned

about

what

would

happen

after

graduation. Fortunately, BSCI’s Career Services has worked hard to create opportunities for students to obtain full-time positions and internships in a safe way. Former Career Services Specialist Lindsey Motley

explained

that

instead

of

conducting

information sessions in person, she recorded and posted half-hour video chats with industry representatives who discussed their companies’ cultures and available positions. The traditional Meet and Greet sessions, where students engage with company representatives on campus, are now done across a conference room table in a safe and socially distanced setting. And last fall’s virtual career fair was like no other career fair before it. Using the Career Fair Plus online platform, students were able to browse companies on the platform, upload their résumés for employers and then build a schedule of live video meetings in 10-minute time slots.

Despite the disruptions to normal daily life, Motley says the construction industry has not slowed down.

An impressive 98% of May building science graduates had jobs lined up before graduation, as did 96% of August grads. While students are continuing to navigate classes, interviews and job offers virtually, Auburn building science grads are still finding good jobs.

Opposite: Building science senior Cameron Mercer and classmates were able to continue efforts on their service learning project at The Exodus Ranch thanks to great care and planning from BSCI faculty and staff.

Left: Meet and Greets, one of several opportunities for BSCI students to network with industry representatives, continued to be available.

Above: Professor Paul Holley's students continued the Survey Camp tradition, visiting several spots on campus, such as the Gogue Performing Arts Center, to sharpen their skills.

// 27

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS

FACULTY AND STAFF CHANGES Taking Place in the McWhorter School Congrats, Angie White!

Angie White has been named as the new building science career services specialist.

She most recently served as the administrative support assistant in building science where she helped to coordinate career fairs and assisted seniors with thesis delivery. In her new role, Angie will serve as a liaison between students, faculty, industry partners and employers.

Welcome, Drew Yantis!

Drew Yantis has been hired as a senior lecturer. He is transitioning from his responsibilities as a senior vice president with Holder Construction. Drew is a 1987 alumnus and has served on the Advisory Boards for the school and the college. He is also a board member of the American Council for Construction Education.

Thank you, Lindsey Motley!

Best wishes to Lindsey Motley who has been at CADC since 2017.

Lindsey began with the building science program as an academic advisor and most recently was a Career Services Specialist.

28 \\

UNDERGRADUATE UPDATES

BUILDING SCIENCE PROGRAM HONORED

by Associated General Contractors The McWhorter School of Building Science was honored with 2020 national and state awards from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the nation’s leading association for the construction industry.

At the national convention in Las Vegas last March, Senior Lecturer Mike Hosey and a group of building science students, members of Auburn’s student chapter of AGC, accepted a Special Recognition Award for service learning. This award was given on the basis of outstanding work done through the school’s Construction Field Lab, a required course taken by seniors.

This hands-on service learning course connects students with local non-profit organizations to

The school’s contribution to the industry was also

develop and execute 14 community-

honored at the state level with the Alabama AGC

based projects each year. Since

Community Development Award and the AGC

its inception in 2018, over 210

Impact Award, the latter in recognition of the

students

considerable impact the school has had on the

the course.

have

participated

in

state’s construction industry. “Alabama AGC has consistently been a strong supporter of the school over many years,” said school head Richard Burt, “and to be recognized by such a prestigious group for the impact our graduates have had, particularly at the state leadership level, is very humbling.”

// 29

FACULTY HIGHLIGHT

QUESTIONS FROM COLLEAGUES Q&A with Tom Leathem The McWhorter School of Building Science is pleased to announce that Dr. Tom Leathem has been promoted to associate professor.

Dr. Leathem, a J.E. Wilborn Endowed Professor, was also named an Auburn University Biggio Faculty Fellow for 2020–21. He holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Western Illinois University, a Master of DesignBuild from Auburn and a Ph.D. in curriculum

and

assessment

from

Mississippi State University. Dr. Leathem is the editor for the proceedings of the Associated Schools of Construction’s Annual International Conference.

A renowned educator and pedagogical enthusiast,

Dr.

Leathem

answers

questions about education in the age of COVID from his colleagues.

Excellent teaching is about providing the best learning experience you can for your students.”

TOM LEATHEM

How do you see the experiences of dealing with the current pandemic affecting construction education in the future?

- RICHARD BURT, PH.D. , Head, McWhorter School of Building Science

I think a lot of us in construction education

have to assess these things and determine

have done a really good job of trying to bring

what provides the best learning opportunity.

the real-world construction professional environment into the classroom remotely. The

Trying to organize a job site visit now is defi-

pandemic has forced us in many ways to try

nitely a lot harder. And in a lot of cases, if you

things we’ve been thinking about for a long

have a class of 30 students, that almost be-

time but were too afraid to try in the past. In

comes such an insurmountable issue that you

some ways it’s given us an opportunity to

just can't do it. Then we're forced to look at

experiment without the concern of the conse-

what other options we have, like a live

quences of failure. I have no doubt that some

streamed virtual tour of a job site.

of the things this pandemic has forced us to try will be around long after this whole thing is

I think this pandemic is going to advance the

over. I think there's going to be a certain level

future of construction education. We're going

of student expectation that’s going to exist

to be a lot nimbler in how we offer and deliver

that we as educators are going to have to

the courses, and because of that it's going to

evaluate. For example, will students just come

create opportunities for more individuals to

to expect that in-person class sessions will

access these learning opportunities. So I think

always be recorded and available to them? As

there's a lot of good that's going to come out of it.

educators, we're going to be the ones who 30 \\

As a Biggio faculty fellow, you’ll be leading student feedback focus groups and

How do you define excellent teaching

sharing the findings with faculty. How do you plan to “focus” these focus groups?

and how do you strive to improve as

What specific themes are your priority, and why?

a teacher?

- KAREN ROGERS, PH.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, College of Architecture, Design and Construction

In these focus groups, we address the

Focusing the sessions in this way helps engage

strengths,

weaknesses

and

- LINDSAY DOUKOPOULOS, PH.D., Associate Director of Educational Development, Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning

opportunities

the students as participants in the creation of

To me, excellent teaching is about providing

within an instructor’s course. The two most

their learning environment while fostering a

the best learning experience you can for your

important points to me about these sessions

stronger student–teacher connection.

students. And for me that means constantly

are that this is a completely voluntary thing,

trying to improve. I came into teaching after

that teachers have proactively reached out to

What was nice last semester with Zoom is that

being in industry for quite a while. I probably

the Biggio Center seeking insight to help

we were asking the students to have these

wasn't even three or four weeks into that first

elevate their teaching, and that everything that

discussions in breakout rooms. It’s fairly private

semester of teaching, and it was really

the students say is completely anonymous so

there; I'm not even a part of those discussions.

resonating with me that I know a lot about

they can feel comfortable to provide honest

So when we give the faculty member feedback,

construction, but I'm not sure that I know how

actionable feedback about the class. The three

they're

the

to teach it well. I was constantly wondering,

questions that we ask the students are: what's

discussion and the specific comments that the

what are my students getting out of this? Are

working for your learning in this class, what

students have written down in their breakout

they even really interested in my class? Do

could be working better for your learning in this

rooms. The essence of the entire thing is about

they dread my class?

class and what do you think you could do better

trying to improve the learning experience for

as a student to improve your learning in this class?

the students.

getting

my

summary

from

And so that's really what influenced me to get my Ph.D., because I wanted to be a better teacher and I wanted to understand more about what being a good teacher was all about. One of the things that evolved in that

I've got a passion for construction.”

TOM LEATHEM

process was recognizing that I’ve got to understand what the students’ perspective is, and the only way I can do that is to get feedback from them. So I do ask my students a lot because I genuinely want every one of them to get as much out of my classes as they

How do you plan to share what you learn as a Biggio Faculty Fellow with others in the college?

- C. BEN FARROW, PH.D., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and International Programs, College of Architecture, Design and Construction

can. I've got a passion for construction, it's just in me. It's who I am and as much of that as I can transfer to my students, that's what I want to do. My goal is to be developing that passion within them for this profession.

When this whole thing started at the beginning

teaching. The Be Well Weekly Series that

of the semester, I really didn't know what my

we're doing is something that many of us

The other thing that I think also defines

role was going to be. But now that we're

would probably be interested in; it will cover a

excellent teaching is being a good supporter

starting to get our foothold, I’ve got a better

number of topics with guest speakers. There's

of your colleagues and being somebody that's

sense of the things that we're doing. In my

one in that series called ‘Teaching with Tots,’

willing to listen to ideas. I love when other

department, I'm going to be communicating

for those of us trying to navigate working from

colleagues of mine come to me asking me

some of this information through our faculty

home with children.

questions, and I help them in any way I can.

meetings. I'm going to pull up the Biggio

I've been fortunate enough to be able to do

Center's website and show there are some

My first priority will be communicating this

that not only within building science but also

really great things here for faculty. In addition

information in the form of reminders through

now as a Biggio Faculty Fellow. It's allowing

to facilitating the student feedback focus

email, and I definitely want to get a strategy

me to do that across the university in different

groups, I am participating in a faculty learning

set up for how we will get the information to

units, which is awesome. I love that.

community called Pandemic Pedagogy. It's

the faculty. I know all the different units are

really just an opportunity for faculty to come

having Zoom faculty meetings, so I’m hoping

together a few times over the semester

there may be opportunity to share some things

through Zoom and talk about things they're

that way.”

dealing with related to this pandemic and their // 31

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