Building Science Researchers Complete Second Digital Scan of Petra
BSCI Alumni, Industry Partners Set Examples
Faculty Member Brings Professionalism Back to the Trades Building Science Alumnae Building Big in
Alum Aims to Build Students’ Futures as Member of IEB
BSCI Alumna Commits to Next Generation of Construction Leaders
BSCI Alum Found Confidence at Auburn
This has been another very busy year in the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI).
This past fall, we reached a record 805 students in the undergraduate program. 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 back a new faculty member, Alex Adolf, who is a graduate of the program. We also said goodbye to Dr. Tom Leathem, who had served as the Undergraduate Program Chair. Tom left to lead the Construction Management program at Clemson University, and we wish him the best of luck. Lauren Redden, a 2008 graduate of the program, will take on the role of leading the undergraduate program. She is already off to a great start. The program received an outstanding review during our recent American Council for Construction Education reaccreditation visit in part to the hard work of both Leathem and Redden.
This issue’s cover features the outstanding work that Dr. Junshan Liu is conducting at the Petra World Heritage Site in Jordan. This is one of several research projects featured in this edition that are ongoing, and we have also included the results of our most recent grant awardees so you can see what our faculty are working on.
We continue to strive to meet Auburn University’s President Roberts’ goal of creating the best studentcentered experiences in the nation. The school’s provision of exemplary student experiences was identified as a strength of the program in our recent reaccreditation visit. We have included articles on many of these activities, such as our new National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) student chapter, other student organizations, student competitions and our service-learning initiative, including a celebration of five years at the Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab.
We have also included several stories about our outstanding alumni. At our Fall Celebration Banquet, we awarded Pat Arrington with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This was a well-deserved award, and you can read about his long support of the program here.
There is also an update from our alumni in Denver. We were extremely grateful that one of those alumni, Kathryn Crowley, returned for our Awards Banquet. She was able to celebrate the life of her friend and 2013 BSCI alum Charlie Whiting who sadly passed away earlier this year after a lengthy battle against cancer. Charlie had been an outstanding student and an active member of the Atlanta BSCI Alumni group, which has now established an endowed scholarship in Charlie’s memory.
Richard Burt, Ph D
McWhorter Endowed Chair and Head McWhorter School of Building Science
Auburn University cadc auburn edu/construction
/auburnbuildingscience @au_bsci
The McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) welcomed full-time lecturer Alexander Adolf in the fall of 2025.
The 2019 BSCI graduate previously taught as an adjunct and brings a broad, international perspective to the teaching staff He apprenticed with one of the largest painting firms in Germany and worked in both Operations and Preconstruction for one of the largest general contractors in the United States
Beyond his technical expertise, Adolf is committed to the people who make up the industry He researches individual and organizational leadership, systems for fostering positive workplace cultures and strategies for empowering the next generation of construction professionals
Associate Professor Lauren Redden has been named the Undergraduate Program Chair in the McWhorter School of Building Science, succeeding Associate Professor Tom Leathem.
In her new role, Redden will provide leadership for the undergraduate program, overseeing curriculum review, academic standards , student recruitment and competition team coordination She earned both a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction and a Master of Building Construction from Auburn After working in the construction industry, she returned to join the faculty, where she teaches a range of courses across the pre-professional and professional programs READ MORE >>
Together, we will strive to innovate and elevate our program, ensuring our graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead and succeed in their careers.”
LAUREN REDDEN
Richard Burt, McWhorter Endowed Chair and Head of the McWhorter School of Building Science, has been elected to the National Academy of Construction Class of 2025.
The National Academy of Construction (NAC) was founded in 1999 and is comprised of industry leaders across construction, engineering , architecture, consulting and academics Election to the NAC recognizes individuals for their contributions in technology, work process improvement , safety, industry relationships , management tools, education and more
“This is a tremendous honor, not only for me personally, but also for the McWhorter School of Building Science, Auburn University and my alma mater Texas A&M University,” Burt said “I would have never thought when I entered the construction industry as a trainee structural engineer at the age of 16 in 1976 that I would aspire to such an accolade ”
Burt has been a faculty member and school head at Auburn since 2008 and was recently inducted into the Associated Schools of Construction Academy of Fellows He has also served as the secretary and on the Board of Trustees for the American Council for Construction Education and on the Education & Research Foundation of the Associated General Contractors
Alongside other faculty, Burt has been instrumental in initiating and advancing the use of technology in the restoration of historically significant structures including the D-Day Landing Site in Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France, and the site of the civil rights movement at the Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala
During his tenure, Burt has elevated the student experience with one of the country’s first study abroad programs for construction students and the only program with a required service learning component as part of the curriculum to provide students with opportunities for international travel and hands-on experience
Robert Cox , the director of the M E Rinker, Sr School of Construction Management at the University of Florida who nominated Burt for NAC , called him “a relentless driver of higher education for construction industry leaders and the elevation of the profession through innovative educational study abroad and service learning opportunities . ”
Alongside the other 36 electees, Burt was formally inducted into NAC at the organization’s Annual Meeting in October 2025 in Colorado Springs, Co
This is a tremendous honor, not only for me personally, but also for the McWhorter School of Building Science, Auburn University and my alma mater Texas A&M University.”
The Auburn University McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) has launched a new student chapter of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Sponsored by the Greater Montgomery Home Builder Association, the organization will serve as a platform for students who are interested in the residential construction industry READ MORE >>
Eleven Building Science students have been awarded scholarships from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), marking the highest number of national AGC scholarships the school has received in a single year.
This milestone follows a student-led effort last fall to hold informal scholarship workshops, encouraging AGC student chapter members to develop and submit strong applications Their collective effort paid off, and students were able to attend this year’s AGC National Convention in Columbus, Ohio, to be recognized on their accomplishments READ MORE >>
Ben Alberstadt, Doug & Puddie Pitcock Scholarship
Audrey Cecil, G Von Anderson Mem Scholarship
William Darley, Randall K Redding Scholarship
Jack Fuhrman, Andrew Blair Walton Mem Scholarship
Jesus Hernandez, Eddie Stewart Scholarship
Adelaide Jowers, Doug & Puddie Pitcock Scholarship
Justin Lieber, Rick Brown Mem Scholarship
Landon Miller, Holt Rast Mem. Scholarship
TJ Parnell, McGriff Insurance Services Scholarship
Hannah Grace Skipper, Hoyt G Lowder/FMI Corporation Scholarship
Hannah Williams, AGC of Alabama Scholarship
Service Learning showed me the importance of serving others through construction.
POWELL
GORDON
Students in McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) applied their construction knowledge to 14 Service Learning projects in 2025, continuing Auburn’s outreach commitment to assisting community non-profits.
From projects at home on The Plains to far away in Quito Ecuador the students gained hands-on experience while helping address the critical needs of organizations and individuals
“Service Learning showed me the importance of serving others through construction,” BSCI student Powell Gordon said “It also helped me practice teamwork skills that are essential in the construction industry ”
Senior Lecturers Jonathan Tucker and Hunter McGonagill and Associate Professor Darren Olsen organized the projects in increasingly far distances from Auburn
“Whether the project is local or in South America, the Service Learning program gives the students hands-on experience while expanding Auburn’s outreach mission,” Tucker said
This year, BSCI students tackled construction projects with the following nonprofit organizations
Auburn-Opelika Habitat for Humanity, Lee County, Alabama
Alabama Sheriff’s Tallapoosa County Girls Ranch , Camp Hill, Alabama
Servants in Faith & Technology, Quito, Ecuador
The Way 2 Serve , Auburn, Alabama
BGM Ministries , Jonestown, Mississippi
Alabama Rural Ministry, Tuskegee, Alabama
READ MORE ABOUT SPRING 2025 PROJECTS >>
READ MORE ABOUT FALL 2025 PROJECTS >>
Thanks to community support on Tiger Giving Day this year, the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) has raised $15,948 to support the McWhorter School of Building Science’s (BSCI) tool trailer.
The funds will allow the School to outfit a disaster relief trailer with tools and equipment , so it can be deployed by student construction teams to assist in recovery efforts
The disaster relief trailer is part of BSCI’s Service Learning initiative, a course run from the Robins & Morton Field Lab that provides students with hands-on construction experience building projects that benefit the community The new tools will increase the program’s capacity to help those in need—with two fully outfitted trailers that can be deployed when necessary—while contributing to the student’s experiential education
“With several Service Learning classes each semester fully utilizing tools , these additions will greatly improve trailer scheduling ,” said Andy Hughes , Robins & Morton Field Lab Manager “We are looking to equip trailers with hand and battery tools, ladders and a generator Any equipment that a team would need to help at a disaster relief site ”
CADC Director of Philanthropy Christopher Griffin remarked that Tiger Giving Day allows the College of Architecture, Design and Construction to highlight the amazing work happening within the College
With several Service Learning classes each semester fully utilizing tools, these additions will greatly improve trailer scheduling.”
ANDY HUGHES
“It is amazing to see the CADC family come together to fund an opportunity for our Building Science students that allows these students to impact those that need it most ,” Griffin said
In previous years , Tiger Giving Day has supported the Experience Alabama Fieldwork Program, the Shoe Design Outreach Program for high school students, the preservation of the historic Rosenwald Schools and civil rights research for the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala
“I am excited to hear how today’s philanthropy impacts our students’ experience and the memories they take from their time here on the Plains ,” Griffin said READ MORE >>
Save the Date! Tiger Giving Day 2026 will take place Wednesday, March 25.
Next year's Tiger Giving Day will support a community makerspace for the School of Industrial and Graphic Design. Auburn's first collaborative makerspace will offer experiential workshops, hands-on learning and accessible tools for creative expression
The McWhorter School of Building Science has celebrated the many awards received by faculty and students this year, highlighting hard work, dedication and excellence in construction education, research and industry involvement.
RICHARD BURT (School Head)
Academy of Fellows , Associated Schools of Construction (ASC)
RICHARD BURT
Class of 2025 , National Academy of Construction
WES COLLINS (Associate Professor)
International Outstanding Researcher Award , ASC
AMNA SALMAN (Assistant Professor)
Region 2 Teaching Award and International Excellence in Teaching Award , ASC
JUNSHAN LIU (Professor), RICHARD BURT & MARK TATUM (Associate Professor)
Creative Work and Social Impact Scholarship Funding Program , Auburn University
KEN SANDS (Assistant Professor)
Outstanding Conference Paper Award, American Society of Engineering Education—Southeastern Section
RICHARD BURT & JUNSHAN LIU
Selma Bloody Sunday Conflict Map , Auburn University 2025 Showcase Exhibition
NICHOLAS COFFEY ‘24
Outstanding Undergraduate Student , College of Architecture , Design and Construction (CADC)
MUHAMMAD USAMA ‘25
Outstanding Graduate Student , Building Construction , CADC
KAREN CARNAGO ‘24
Outstanding Graduate Student , Executive Certificates in Building Construction , CADC
MUHAMMAD UMER ‘25
Outstanding Graduate Student , Ph . D. in Building Construction , CADC
It's been a record year for the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) with highlights from local to international media outlets, showcasing the hard work of BSCI faculty and alumni.
Chris Ritter Recognized at PCL
Construction Services | Orlando Business Journal | Apr 16
Chesebro Promoted to Director of preconstruction at PCL
Construction | Tampa Business Journal | Apr 16
Mike Rogers and team at Rogers & Willard helping rewrite Mobile’s story | Business Alabama | June 19
Auburn Opelika Habitat dedicates House No. 78 | The Opelika Observer | Aug. 19
Sara Beth Wilcox recognized as ‘Woman of Impact’ | Brasfield & Gorrie | Sept 22
A M King Awards Auburn University
First Place in ASC’s 2025 DesignBuild Competition | A M King | Nov. 19
SEE MORE CADC IN THE NEWS >>
After a successful 2025, the year ahead is already taking shape with new opportunities and experiences for our students. Here’s a look at what’s coming in 2026.
JANUARY 2026
7: Spring Classes Begin
7: Australia Study Abroad Begins
19: MLK Day (No classes)
19–21: NRCA Comp., Las Vegas, NV
FEBRUARY 2026
4–7: ASC Region 6/7 Comp. Reno, NV
14–16: ASC Region 5 Comp., Hurst, TX
18: BSCI Spring Career Fair, Neville Arena
19: BSCI Spring Career Fair Interviews
MARCH 2026
6–15: Quito Study Abroad
9–13: Spring Break (No classes)
15-19: MCAA National Con., Phoenix, AZ
18–20: ABC National Con., Salt Lake City, UT
24–26: AGC Annual Con./Expo, Orlando, FL
25: Australia Study Abroad Ends
APRIL 2026
24: Spring Classes End
Numerous study abroad opportunities, such as the Italy program pictured here, are available to Building Science students throughout the year.
JUNE 2026
BSCI Summer Camps
10: Europe Study Abroad Begins
15: Japan-Spain Study Abroad Begins
19: Juneteenth (No Classes)
JULY 2026
3: Independence Day (No Classes)
17: Europe Study Abroad Ends
18: Japan-Spain Study Abroad Ends
31: Summer Classes End
AUGUST 2026
8: Commencement
17: Fall Classes Begin
SEPTEMBER 2026
7: Labor Day (No Classes)
OCTOBER 2026
8–9: Fall Break (No Classes)
NOVEMBER 2026
23–27: Thanksgiving Break (No Classes)
DECEMBER 2026
4: Fall Classes End
12: Commencement
MAY 2026
1: Graduation Reception
2: Commencement
11–15: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Residency Week 18: Summer Classes Begin
Artificial intelligence (AI) is steadily reshaping the construction industry, and the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) is ensuring students are prepared to enter a workforce where AI-enabled tools are quickly becoming standard practice.
Over the past few years, faculty have begun integrating AI platforms directly into coursework, giving students hands-on experience with emerging technologies
In Preconstruction courses, Togal AI introduces students to automated quantity takeoff, a task traditionally performed by manually measuring and tracing building elements from two-dimensional plans While students still learn the fundamentals by completing takeoffs manually, they also see how Togal AI can instantly generate area and linear calculations The comparison helps them evaluate not only speed and efficiency but also accuracy and limitations
workflow in the construction industry.
“AI isn’t a magic estimating or scheduling button,” BSCI Associate Professor Wes Collins said, noting that students learn to use AI to its fullest potential while developing the judgment required to verify its results “It's not going to replace the human brain but it will automate tasks ”
BSCI faculty Ken Sands, Alex Adolf and Drew Yantis and doctoral candidate Shadi Alathamneh are also exploring AI’s applications across the curriculum By engaging with AI critically—not as a shortcut, but as a complement to their technical foundation—BSCI students are gaining the fluency, adaptability and confidence they’ll need in the future of the construction industry READ MORE >>
In August, the McWhorter School of Building Science awarded two doctoral degrees—to Muhammad Umer and Farnaz Jafari— recognizing their dedication to research, teaching and innovation in the construction industry.
A native of Karachi, Pakistan, Umer attended Auburn as a Presidential Graduate Research Fellow During his time in the program, he worked with the Construction, Automation, Robotics and Visualization (CARV) Lab and served as a First-Year Experience Mentor for the Graduate Student Council.
A member of the Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Honor Society, he received the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s award for Poster Presentation at the Auburn Research Symposium in both 2023 and 2024. Umer also earned a certification in Engaged Teaching from Auburn’s Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning and completed its Distinguished Future Faculty program
Following graduation, Umer took a position as an Assistant Professor at the University of West Florida READ MORE >>
Following a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and a master’s degree in Sustainable Architecture from the Iran University of Science and Technology, Jafari completed a doctoral degree in Building Construction Technology
As a member of the National Women in Roofing, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Associated General Contractors of America, she received recognition for the Best Design Brief and Team Collaboration from the Smart Shelter Foundation during the international workshop “From Temporary Shelter to Semi-Permanent Homes” in 2023 She has published articles on the incorporation of industry professionals in construction education, the trends of mass timber usage in construction and climate design strategies derived from bioclimatic analysis
Jafari now serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass
The McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) is sporting a renovated lab space for its thesis students that encourages professional collaboration.
The 2,300-sqft space can accommodate a full cohort all in one room, a necessity prompted by the expansion of the BSCI program
Over 2,270 thesis students were ushered through the two previous rooms that were renovated The new Brasfield & Gorrie Thesis Lab features a large open space with upgraded workstations, office-like lighting and a breakout area with a kitchenette for students who work after-hours on their projects
“My vision was a transitional space for students becoming construction professionals, providing thesis students with an environment that’s more like what they will see in the offices they go to work in,” said Richard Burt, BSCI School Head
The design work was done by CMH Architects’ Blake Nelson, a 1998 graduate of CADC’s Architecture program, with construction by Carlisle Construction and oversight from Auburn University Facility Project Manager Kelly O’Neal-Young, a 2006 BSCI graduate
“The new Brasfield & Gorrie Thesis Lab will provide students with an innovative approach to their program in a more professional setting,” O’Neal-Young said. “It will give them an opportunity to utilize experiences from their classmates by sharing and collaborating to help their theses be the best ” READ MORE >>
Interdisciplinary collaborators at Auburn are wrapping up construction for a mobile demonstration pavilion that will display sustainable alternatives to conventional construction.
In the fall of 2024, faculty from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) and the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment teamed up with the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, based in Huntsville, Alabama, to research bio-based construction materials
Using funds from the Alabama Research and Development Enhancement Fund and a matching contribution from HudsonAlpha, the collaborators envisioned a mobile demonstration pavilion that could be taken to trade shows and construction conventions, expanding the exposure to bio-based materials throughout industry partners in the Southeast
“The goal of the research is to demonstrate the use of healthy, low carbon, bio-based construction materials for residential construction,” said David Shanks, Assistant Professor of Architecture “We’re focusing on utilizing local Alabama forestry and agricultural resources in construction for economic and workforce development within the state ”
During the Spring 2025 semester, Shanks tasked Architecture students with designing the pavilion, and BSCI students took over the construction in Fall READ MORE >>
The goal of the research is to demonstrate the use of healthy, low carbon, bio-based construction materials for residential construction.”
Students in Auburn’s McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) go beyond the classroom to shape their professional futures and foster growth in their communities.
“Joining a BSCI student organization provides invaluable networking opportunities with peers and industry professionals, enhancing your career prospects,” said BSCI senior James Adams.
The School offers membership opportunities in the following student organizations
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) ABC advocates for free enterprise in the construction industry, upholding a merit shop philosophy that supports open competition and success independent of labor affiliation
Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)
The AGC Student Chapter is dedicated to student growth in construction knowledge, engaging students with industry professionals and supporting community outreach
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) DBIA teaches the integration of design and construction services to ensure a successful project for owners, designers and construction practitioners
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
NAHB, a platform for students interested in the residential construction industry, provides valuable opportunities to gain real-world insights, network with industry leaders and explore different career paths.
Sigma Lambda Chi (SLX)
Auburn’s Iota Chapter of SLX gives students the opportunity to be recognized locally, nationally and internationally for academic accomplishments as a construction major
Students and faculty from BSCI and the School of Industrial and Graphic Design (SIGD) teamed up to create a marketable product for mass timber installation.
Since the late 2000s, SIGD and BSCI have run a collaboration called Studio+Build to prototype new systems, technologies and methods for the construction industry
“Studio+Build has a rich history dating back nearly twenty years, and has been an exceptional example of how collaboration in the CADC can have meaningful impact on the industry by way of potential improvements to construction productivity and safety,” said Paul Holley, a BSCI professor and the Director of the Center for Construction Innovation and Collaboration
“It has been a great way for Industrial Design students to immerse themselves in construction and for BSCI faculty and students to learn about the iterative design process,” he said.
[SIGD students] were able to not only learn from their design studio professor but also from construction educators, researchers and professionals.”
RUSTY LAY
The collaboration took a hiatus around the COVID-19 pandemic and while faculty pursued other research, but in Fall 2024, Holley and SIGD Associate Professor Rusty Lay revamped Studio+Build with a project centered on mass timber
Students from Lay’s Industrial Design senior studio traveled to Atlanta to tour the construction site of Brookhaven City Hall, a cross-laminated timber (CLT) project by McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., and visited CLT manufacturer SmartLam in Dothan, Alabama
“The design students involved with the Studio+Build project were able to not only learn from their design studio professor but also from construction educators, researchers and professionals,” Lay said “Through this studio collaboration the students gained insight into how design can contribute to a broader scope of industries beyond consumer products ”
Each student developed a tool, product or system that would assist in mass timber construction, presenting 13 different prototypes in December Two designs were carried forward into a research and testing phase READ MORE >>
The McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) is celebrating five years of the Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab, which took the program’s experiential learning to a new level.
The BSCI program has included hands-on learning opportunities through community service projects for 30 years and has made use of a three-acre parcel of land on West Samford Avenue for the last decade.
In the spring of 2018, Robins & Morton donated $1 3 million to transform the existing lab into a permanent facility that could cater to the broad experiences and opportunities the program offers, opening the Robins & Morton Construction Field Laboratory in the spring of 2020.
“It provides experiential learning about planning and executing projects, building and being part of a team, and being accountable while executing work,” Mike Thompson ‘82, CEO of Robins & Morton, said “It hopefully gives students empathy for the tradespeople they will later encounter on job sites by better understanding how difficult it can be to perform the actual work Robins & Morton is proud to have been and continue to be a part of something that gives so much validation to the enjoyment and learning that comes out of it
The first of its kind in a university construction program, the Robins & Morton Field Lab functions like a working jobsite with a high-bay building that allows students to build prototypes from scaffolding The onsite classroom holds 40 students in a professional construction management setting The controlled environment allows the students to prefabricate construction elements, such as panels for Habitat for Humanity houses around Auburn READ MORE >>
The Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab provides opportunities for summer campers to experience a hands-on project (ABOVE), BSCI students to test out safety protocols in a controlled environment (LEFT) and faculty to lead exercises focused on construction processes (BELOW)
When Julia Ann Bratton switched her major to Building Science, her dad was skeptical—not because he didn’t think she would be successful, but because he knows the challenges of the construction industry.
Mark Bratton is the President of Summit Electrical Construction in Birmingham, a position that he worked his way up to after graduating with a degree in communications from the College of Liberal Arts in 1990 But when his daughter explained why she wanted to study Building Science, Mark saw a sentiment and a sense of pride he shares
“She said, ‘I need something tangible In construction, I can see the fruits of my labor,’” he said “I thought that was wise That’s why I still do it, too I need the visual of what we put our effort into ”
I’ve been in the industry for 40 years, and I’ve picked up something from every class I’ve taken and apply it every day in my job.”
MARK BRATTON
As Julia Ann got deeper into her classes in the McWhorter School of Building Science, she would call her dad to share what she was learning and ask questions When Mark didn’t have the answers he called the School to see how he could learn and was introduced to the Executive Certificates program
Taking distance classes at night, Mark is halfway through his second of three 12-hour certificates While he doesn’t have plans to change jobs following graduation, the certificates program allows him to explore emerging technologies in the construction industry
“I’ve been in the industry for 40 years, and I’ve picked up something from every class I’ve taken and apply it every day in my job,” he said “There is a misconception among my peers that if you’ve gotten to the top of the industry, why would you want to do anything else? But at our business, we want to be the best, and to do that you’ve got to stretch the limits ”
TOP: Mark and Julia Ann Bratton
BOTTOM: The father-daughter duo have been attending Auburn games together for Julia Ann’s entire life.
The pair are set to graduate in 2026, but for the next few months, they will continue to be classmates in the School
“It’s not a normal thing to be able to do the same thing as your dad,” Julia Ann said “It’s cool because we’ve been able to learn a lot from each other, talk about what we’re learning and bounce ideas off each other ” READ MORE >>
The McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) has once again upgraded its facilities in the M. Miller Gorrie Center to support its expanding faculty and programs.
“This growth brings exciting opportunities,” said Richard Burt, McWhorter Endowed Chair and BSCI School Head “Our undergraduate program has grown by 50% over the last six years, and we now graduate 60 students each semester With growth like this, evaluating and updating office space becomes essential ”
BSCI’s renovation transformed a single faculty office and adjacent graduate student space into five modern faculty offices The new offices house BSCI’s newest faculty members, Steve Aydelott and Alex Adolf, along with faculty members Jake Elbrecht, Ben Marshall and Bob Muir Located on the second floor of Gorrie, the upgraded space features fresh carpet, updated paint and custom office layouts to meet faculty needs
“Changes like this provide faculty with the environment they need to collaborate, meet or focus on their work,” Burt said “It’s an exciting time as we continue to grow in multiple ways ”
Each year, the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) prepares its students for an intense and rewarding competition season—a defining part of the student experience.
Supported by generous industry partners who help fund travel and entry fees, Auburn’s competition teams spend months preparing for national and international events that challenge them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world construction problems While the program has participated in competitions for at least 15 years, their presence and impact continue to grow.
In 2025, Auburn students competed in nearly 20 events across the U S and abroad from Dublin, Ireland to Greenville, S C The categories spanned roofing, electrical, finance and risk management, design-build, heavy civil, commercial, preconstruction and project management. Each competition demanded a unique blend of technical skills teamwork and strategic thinking READ MORE >>
ABOVE: Site visits give BSCI students a real world example of the competition projects.
RIGHT: Students teams gather to prepare for their upcoming presentations.
Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region 5 (Dallas, Texas)
• Joint team with Birmingham City University (Coaches: Alan Bugg, Richard Burt) 2nd PLACE
• Joint team with Liverpool John Moores University (Coach: Jonathan Tucker) 4th PLACE
ASC Region 6/7 (Reno, Nevada)
• Electrical team (Coaches: Allen Conradi, Mark Tatum)
• Integrated Project team (Coaches: Salman Azhar, Anoop Sattineni)
• VDC team (Coach: Jeff Kim)
National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) (San Antonio, Texas)
• (Coach: Ken Sands) 2nd PLACE | BEST PRESENTER: Arjun Varadhan
Associated Builders and Contractors (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• (Coaches: Mark Taylor, Amna Salman)
ABOVE: BSCI faculty work closely with student competition teams, providing expert guidance and constructive feedback.
ASC Region 2 (Greenville, South Carolina)
• Design Build team (Coach: Bob Muir) 1st PLACE
• Alternate Competition: Owen Nichols 2nd PLACE
• Commercial team (Coach: Anoop Sattineni) 3rd PLACE
• Pre-Construction team (Coaches: Wes Collins, Alex Adolf, Lauren Redden) 3rd PLACE
• Graduate team (Coaches: Wes Collins, Shadi Alathamneh) 2nd PLACE
• Heavy Civil team (Coach: Eric Wetzel)
• Concrete team (Coach: Darren Olsen)
ASC Region 8 (Dublin, Ireland)
• CM-QS joint team with Liverpool John Moores University (Coach: Hunter McGonagill) 2nd PLACE
• CM-QS team (Coaches: Paul Holley, Richard Burt) 2nd PLACE
• Design Build joint team with Liverpool John Moores University (Coach: Wes Collins) 2nd PLACE | BEST PRESENTER: Olivia Fontaine
• Project Management joint team with TU Dublin (Coach: Drew Yantis) 2nd PLACE
Design-Build Institute of America (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• (Coach: Ben Marshall, Alex Adolf, Mark Taylor)
Spring 2026 competitions
• NRCA (Las Vegas, Nevada) — January 2026
• ASC Region 6/7 (Reno, Nevada) — February 2026
• ASC Region 5 (Hurst, Texas) — February 2026
• National Association of Home Builders (Orlando, Florida)— February 2026
• ABC (Salt Lake City, Utah) — March 2026
Forty high schoolers workshopped what it’s like to be construction students this past summer with camps hosted by the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC).
From scheduling sessions to carpentry basics, CADC campers dipped their toes into creative thinking, collaboration and fieldwork over week-long sessions at Auburn
“The McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) does an excellent job of exposing high school students to construction management principles through their camps,” Katherine Buck Chastain, CADC Recruitment and Scholarship Manager, said “Students walk away with a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a Building Science student and dozens of contacts in the Auburn Construction Network after their week on campus ”
Working with Auburn Youth Programs, an initiative of the Office of Professional and Continuing Education, the College hosted two building construction camps The impact that CADC summer camps have on students’ education and career path can be seen with Camryn Brewis, a BSCI student, CADC Ambassador and camp counselor Brewis said that attending camp and learning from Associate Professor Lauren Redden was a “turning point in choosing her major ”
The McWhorter School of Building Science does an excellent job of exposing high school students to construction management principles through their camps.”
KATHERINE BUCK CHASTAIN
“This summer was so rewarding to meet students who are excited about Building Science and other CADC majors,” Brewis said, noting that throughout the summer campers built picnic tables and benches that were donated to the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, concrete stepping stones to take home and a shed for Habitat for Humanity at the Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab
“Watching them shine has brought back so many great memories from when I was in their shoes,” Brewis continued
Whether CADC camps help students make decisions about their future or just explore possibilities, the experience opens their eyes to what they can create
In addition to BSCI camps, CADC hosts 5 other camps across architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design and graphic design—including its annual Design and Construction Discovery Camp (DCDC) that gives campers exposure to each of the College’s degree programs and an array of professional possibilities available with design and construction education. READ MORE >>
ABOVE: Summer camps allow high school students to explore careers they might not have known about.
A McWhorter School of Building Science professor and doctoral candidate are collaborating with international researchers and authorities to document ancient historical sites in Petra, Jordan.
Junshan Liu, Professor and JE Wilborn Endowed Chair, and doctoral candidate Shadi Alathemneh are helping create guidelines for sustainable tourism at the UNESCO World Heritage site
Supported by a 2023 Seed Grant from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC), the project uses Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology that can detect changes as small as 2 millimeters The international team’s goal is to create a comprehensive digital archive of Petra’s existing structures, serving both as a preservation asset and as a resource for the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) to develop marketing materials and strategic planning initiatives
In March 2023, Liu and Alathemneh traveled to Jordan to complete the initial benchmark scans with their research collaborators — former Auburn colleague Danielle Willkens, who is now an Associate Professor of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Dr María José Viñals, a professor from the Universitat Politècnica de Valencia (UPV) in Spain
“Working with the Petra government, Georgia Tech and UPV has been key to making this project possible, from helping us access the sites to bringing in new perspectives and local insights,” Liu said “It strengthens both the cultural relevance and scientific rigor of the project, while also expanding our expertise and validating our methods on a global scale
The effort will help guide more sustainable preservation strategies and support the responsible development of cultural tourism.”
JUNSHAN LIU
Two years later, Alathemneh, who is a citizen of Jordan, returned to continue the project, capturing changes in the historical site that were made more obvious during the extended duration of the research, with the help of the PDTRA Director of Tourism & Marketing Directorate Sabri Fdool
Over five days in May 2025, Alathemneh re-scanned the interior and exterior of the Al-Khazneh, or the Petra Treasury, a monument carved into the red sandstone rockface 2,000 years ago, and the end of the Siq, a 1 2-kilometer gorge flanked by towering rock walls in which the Treasury sits He also gathered data on the eroding Cattleman statue and Royal Tomb
The team is currently analyzing the captured data to identify variables and track erosion patterns that the Petra Authority can then use to preserve this and other historic sites
Slated to be completed by the end of 2025, the analysis will result in three-part data: a point cloud that documents key structures in their current state, a database compiling quantitative weather statistics and tourism activity and qualitative documentation of significant events impacting the site over the years The resulting information will help create a set of guidelines for sustainable tourism at heritage sites
“Our work in Petra is helping to build a clearer picture of how tourism and the environment are affecting these incredible UNESCO heritage sites,” Liu said “The effort will help guide more sustainable preservation strategies and support the responsible development of cultural tourism ”
LEFT
LEFT BOTTOM: Alathemneh documented both exterior and interior spaces in Petra.
Two groups of students from Auburn’s McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) spent part of the summer broadening their construction horizons across the United Kingdom (UK) and Alpine-Nordic region of Europe.
McWhorter Endowed Chair and School Head Richard Burt and Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Chair Lauren Redden led seven students on a week-long tour of the UK in May, touring sites like Old Town Edinburgh, Loch Lomond, Stonehenge and Big Ben. As a partnership with the Auburn Honors College, the interdisciplinary group represented the Building Science, Environmental Design and Mechanical Engineering programs, allowing students to discuss heritage conservation from technical, cultural and design perspectives
“I hope students walked away with a deeper appreciation for how the built environment tells the story of a society—its values, struggles and aspirations,” Redden said “By standing in the presence of centuries-old structures, they experienced history not as something distant, but as something alive and deeply relevant ”
Student Redmond Smith said his favorite part of the trip was touring London’s financial district, discussing construction costs and durations of significant contemporary buildings like The Gherkin—as well as learning more about the nation’s historic construction
through cities
BELOW: The students
Senior Beck Stallworth noted how much the UK’s construction industry is shaped by its history and the need to preserve buildings that have stood for hundreds of years.
“It gave me a deep appreciation for the quality of workmanship and materials that allowed these structures to last so long,” Stallworth said “As a BSCI student, it was eye-opening to see how construction practices must adapt when working within or around historic buildings, especially when it comes to preservation regulations, materials sourcing and structural limitations
I hope students walked away with a deeper appreciation for how the built environment tells the story of a society—its values, struggles and aspirations.”
LAUREN REDDEN
In addition to the UK and Alpine-Nordic programs, the school offered the below opportunities:
• Australia (Spring 2025)
• Italy (Fall 2025)
Fifteen BSCI thesis students traveled around Europe’s Alpine and Nordic region for five weeks under the supervision of faculty members Paul Holley, Wes Collins and Alan Bugg, visiting Vienna, Munich, Zurich, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki
Professor Holley, who is also the Director of the Center for Construction Innovation and Collaboration, said that in addition to visiting jobsites and meeting with contractors, designers and manufacturers, the students gained insight into mass timber components and installation methods
“Building with laminated and cross-laminated wood products is becoming more common in Europe and is now also starting to gain traction in the U S.,” Holley said “This is a great opportunity for them to learn about this emerging shift in building structures ”
To see mass timber construction in action the students toured the Stora Enso CLT Mill in Ybbs, Austria, Södra CLT mill and the World of Volvo—a Henning Larsen-designed CLT museum—in Gothenburg, Sweden
The study abroad trip wrapped up the thesis students’ Auburn experience, as many of the trip’s participants returned home to graduate and start their careers
“As with other Building Science study abroad trips, these students also have many indirect opportunities by way of learning how to travel to and within different countries, experiencing different cultures, norms, cuisine and economies,” Holley said “It’s a great way for them to better understand the global marketplace, including people, companies and governments in other places ”
Nearly 4,700 projects along the Gulf Coast are the result of the hard work of the Radcliff family—three generations of Auburn-trained construction professionals.
Ben Radcliff Sr founded Ben M Radcliff Contractor, Inc in Mobile, Ala., in 1956, eight years after graduating from Auburn—then Alabama Polytechnic Institute—with a dual degree in Civil and Mechanical Engineering and gaining experience from various contractors Notable early projects include industrial work with Aluminum Ore Company and the reconstruction of Dauphin Island Marina and the Grand Hotel, following Hurricane Frederic in 1979
In 1995, his son Ben Radcliff Jr., a 1982 graduate of the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI), took over as President and CEO, guiding the company for the last three decades His son, Ben Radcliff III, started working for Radcliff Contractor at the age of 16 as a laborer, graduated from the BSCI program in 2020 and then joined the preconstruction and estimating side of the business
“The company has grown exponentially over the past 70 years,” said Radcliff Jr “It will continue to move forward and flourish into a third generation of leadership, under Ben lll ”
Throughout its history, Radcliff Contractor has completed thousands of projects across the manufacturing, maritime, healthcare, institutional, municipal and educational sectors, offering general construction and design-build services to new and returning clients
The team has worked with Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., since 1967 and reconstructed 120 buildings after the shipyard was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005
Since then, the company’s work has ranged from the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center to the restoration of Barton Academy, Mobile’s first public school that opened in 1839 Now boasting 30 team members, Radcliff Contractor has ongoing projects with the University of South Alabama, Linksman Golf Course and Daphne High School
Following in Radcliff Sr ’s footsteps—and his love for college football— Auburn University was an easy choice for Radcliff Jr and Radcliff III when they considered the strength of the BSCI program and its ability to set them up for success in the construction industry
Radcliff Jr credited his Auburn education for instilling in him the importance of hard work, staying organized and keeping to a schedule
“My father taught me how to run a construction business but Auburn’s Building Science program provided me a strong foundation of how to communicate the building strategy and product with the client and the architect,” he said
Radcliff III echoed that sentiment, mentioning that the practice of giving both prepared and impromptu presentations during the BSCI program helped him later with business development
"The professors at Auburn are dynamic and put you on your toes, which has helped me with talking to customers,” Radcliff III said, also mentioning the teamwork and accountability he learned in the BSCI program
Taking what they learned at Auburn and paying it forward, the Radcliff family continues to be involved with the School in various ways, including recruitment through semi-annual career fairs, philanthropy and mentorship
“Radcliff Contractor has been a consistent provider of internship and job opportunities in South Alabama,” said Richard Burt, BSCI School Head and McWhorter Endowed Chair
“Ben Jr is a valued member of the Construction Industry Fund Administrative Committee that oversees the payments we receive from the state contractors' licensing fee, and Ben III has been involved in our Industry Advisory Council and serves as a mentor to our students and recent graduates,” Burt said
Christopher Griffin CADC Director of Philanthropy noted that the Radcliffs’ service and contributions have made a consistent, positive impact on the College
“It is wonderful to see the multigenerational impact the Radcliff family have had at Auburn and our office deeply values their dedication and direct involvement in the McWhorter School of Building Science,” Griffin said
After Radcliff Sr died in 2007, the younger Radcliffs continued to uphold the values of the company and the name of its founder, who was inducted in the Alabama AGC Hall of Fame in 2017
“He would always say that we’re an action-oriented company and that our reputation stands on its own,” Radcliff III said
But for Radcliff Jr reputation is a byproduct of creating quality buildings and treating others with respect
“Your honor and your character are really all that matter,” Radcliff Jr said “You shake someone’s hand, and you do what you’re supposed to do ”
“My father would be proud of where I have taken this company and I look forward to my son continuing the legacy as a third generation of building with integrity and care for our customers ”
The Radcliff's thriving business and bright future rest on the strong foundation built over the last seven decades. Look back at the history of Ben M. Radcliff Contractor, Inc. to see how the legacy was formed.
After graduation, Ben Radcliff Sr sought to expand upon his education with hands-on industry experience at various companies He then founded Ben M Radcliff Contractor in Mobile, Alabama, in 1956, concentrating on light commercial and residential projects. 1956
This decade included many returning clients in need of renovations and expansion, as well as construction in the industrial sector in Mississippi
Ben Radcliff Jr took over as President and CEO, and the legacy of excellence in quality construction in the Mobile area continues 1995
Ben Radcliff Sr was posthumously inducted into the Alabama AGC Hall of Fame
Ben Radcliff Sr graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute
The company developed more than 30 projects during the 1960s and continued success into the 70s, playing a major role in developing Mobile's trademark landscape
In 1979, Category 4 Hurricane Frederic— one of the most destructive hurricanes to the Mobile area in the 20th century—blazed through the Gulf Coast In response, Radcliff reconstructed the Dauphin Island Marina and the Grand Hotel.
Radcliff completed more than two dozen projects along the Gulf Coast during the 1990s ranging from industrial expansions and educational buildings to civic and commercial developments
The 2000s brought projects that underscored Radcliff’s versatility, spanning higher education campuses, major industrial expansions and civic landmarks across the Gulf Coast
In 2005, Category 5 Hurricane Katrina demolished the Gulf Coast Among other recovery projects, Radcliff reconstructed Ingalls Shipbuilding.
Throughout the 2010s, Radcliff projects blended industrial growth with civic and educational investment, including work at the Alabama State Docks, Flight Works Alabama, GulfQuest Museum and several local schools and churches
As Auburn’s campus residence halls undergo a myriad of changes, is it, “Out with the old and in with the new”?
Not for Kelly O’Neal-Young, an alumna and project manager with Facilities Management.
“These renovations allow us to enjoy the interior of the halls again, but I love how Auburn is keeping the original exterior,” she said “There is something about Auburn keeping history alive — but with a modern twist — that makes you keep coming back for more ”
O’Neal-Young has spent the last several years overseeing housing projects, including renovations in the Village and the Quad and the demolition of the Hill residence halls Now, she’s also in charge of the fourstory, 125,000 square-foot-housing project under construction on Haley Concourse across from the Harold D Melton Student Center
“It’s been thrilling to be part of history building brand new student housing,” she said of the $80 million project “The best part is how much we try to match the Quad with a similar exterior personality So much planning and design has gone into this building that we hope students will love ”
After graduating from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s McWhorter School of Building Science in 2006, O’NealYoung worked in private industry, including more than 13 years with Holder Construction in Atlanta But she began to wonder if she could move closer to family and friends in Alabama, and when a position opened on campus in 2021, she knew it was meant to be
“My construction background is in interior renovations, and at the time Auburn Housing was starting major renovations in Broun and Harper in the Upper Quad,” she said “The most amazing thing was the opportunity to work with the original 1930s construction, the terracotta structure and plaster walls and then see the halls get a modern look
While most of her work has involved housing, O’Neal-Young has also overseen the addition of mobile credentialing for campus buildings, the installation of Wi-Fi in Jordan-Hare Stadium and the renovation of BSCI's Brasfield & Gorrie Thesis Lab
As she walks across campus each day, she recalls plenty of fond memories from her time as a student, including living on the Alpha Xi Delta floor in Dowell Residence Hall on the Hill
“Back when I was in the Hill, it was lively and full of energy, and the landscaping surrounding them was so beautiful,” she said “It was sad to see the Hill being torn down, but Auburn has a master plan of trying to provide students housing in a more central location The renovations that are occurring throughout housing are providing students with modern amenities and upgraded finishes and we are making long-needed repairs while giving these halls new life ”
And while she loves the historical aspects of renovations, O’Neal-Young can’t help but be excited about the new residence hall, which is set to be completed next summer
“There will be a laundry area and community rooms on each floor, a new amphitheater for students and a better walking path between buildings,” she said “The con is parking, which has always been tricky around the Quad, but look how beautiful the landscape and hardscape is surrounding these buildings and how much the students sit in these areas and enjoy the weather
“Auburn still has the family feel of when I first attended here
The McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) Industry Executive Board is a group of professionals committed to the discussion and review of industry-related issues facing contemporary construction educators.
The Industry Executive Board (IEB) advises Auburn’s Building Science faculty on current trends in the industry and how they might be addressed through coursework At the IEB’s biannual meetings, board members—many of whom are BSCI alumni—hear from graduating students about their experiences in the program and then give feedback on how the students’ education aligns with the industry
Recent additions to the IEB include Matt Shelby, Sarah-Ashley Boling, Adam Inzina, Allan Dedman and Chuck McPherson READ MORE >>
Matt Shelby '07
President, Shelby General Contractors
Sarah-Ashley Boling '11
Senior Project Manager, Morette Company
The McWhorter School of Building Science establishes a strong foundation that carries into success in the construction industry for years to come. Celebrate the achievements of BSCI alumni from the past year.
JIM GORRIE '84 & BILLY HARBERT '88 were named finalists for CEO of the Year in the 2025 Business Alabama Awards Gorrie was named President of Brasfield & Gorrie in 1995, became CEO in 2011 and transitioned to Chairman in 2024 Harbert has served as Chairman and CEO of BL Harbert International since its founding in 2000
8 BSCI ALUMNI—David Aguirre ’23, Scott Crosby ‘09, Shaun Guin ‘08, Jeff Jantz ‘08, Tyler Mask ‘10, David Sims ‘16 , Kyle Stallings ‘12 and Hayden Tilley ‘17—were named to Alabama AGC's 40 Under 40 list
PAT ARRINGTON '85 received the Auburn Building Science Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his exceptional support of the McWhorter School of Building Science
Adam Inzina '03
Vice President, Operations, M.J. Harris Construction Services
Allan Dedman '92
President/COO, Doster Construction Company
Chuck McPherson '82
Vice President, Commercial Operations, BL Harbert International
JEFF JANTZ '08 & DANE PEMBERTON '10 were named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2025 40 Under 40, recognizing emerging professionals making a significant impact on the city of Birmingham
DOUG DAVIDSON '84 was honored by the Associated General Contractors of Georgia with the 2025 Skill, Integrity & Responsibility (SIR) Award—the highest honor for the state’s commercial construction industry leaders
ROB CLIFTON '11 was named to the Auburn Alumni Association's 20 Under 40 Class of 2025, which honors extraordinary accomplishments, professional achievement and distinguished service to others.
The McWhorter School of Building Science welcomed 51 industry partners to the Gorrie lobby this year to engage with our students. Thank you to the below industry partners.
Archer Western, a member of The Walsh Group
ARCO Design/Build
ARM
Balfour Beatty
Benning Construction Company
BL Harbert International
Brasfield & Gorrie
C-Sharpe Co
Caliber 1 Construction
Carroll Daniel Construction
Carter & Carter
Catamount Constructors
Choate Construction Company
Compass Construction
Cornerstone Detention Products
Elmington Construction
Evans General Contractors
Evergreen Construction
Gray
Hensel Phelps
Hoar Construction
Holder Construction
HPM
JE Dunn Construction
JOHNSONKREIS
Construction
Juneau Construction Company
Lemoine Program Services
Linbeck Group
LIV Development
McCarthy Building Companies
Merit Construction
Miller Electric Company
MJ Harris Construction Services
New South Construction
PC Construction
PERSONS SERVICES CORP
Reeves Young
RNGD
Robins & Morton
Russell Construction of Ala
Schneider Electric
Shelby General Contractors
Stone Building Company
The Beck Group
The Garrett Companies
Ulliman Schutte Construction
Weis Builders
White-Spunner Construction
Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Yates Engineers and Construction
It’s no surprise that career fairs are valuable for students and companies alike, creating pathways for career growth and talent acquisition.
For students, these events offer direct access to potential employers, while industry partners get the chance to meet future professionals eager to contribute to their success The McWhorter School of Building Science hosted three career fairs this year and welcomed 293 companies from across the country
Angie White, BSCI Career Services Specialist, helps students prepare by reviewing resumes, scoping out potential employers and helping them hone their communication skills—everything from how to dress for an interview to negotiating a job offer Through the Career Fairs, students access an essential stepping stone towards their careers, and businesses get a sneak peek at the next generation of construction professionals READ MORE >>
The McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) boasts an impressive roster of alumni companies, who contribute to construction education through mentorship, recruitment and participation. See just a few of the School's distinguished alumni.
For WatsonBruhn Builders, investing in team members, clients and subcontractors is the name of the game.
After graduating from BSCI in 1987, Mitch Bruhn worked as a project manager at Brice Building Company Over a decade later he rose to be a VP at Doster Construction Co and then became a VP of New Generation Projects & Construction for Southern Company But the dream of starting his own general contracting company never faded In 2011, Bruhn teamed up with former supervisor Duane Watson to create something lasting Fourteen years later, the Birmingham-based firm continues to grow with people at its center READ MORE >>
When Doug Davidson ’84 founded New South Construction in 1990, he was a 29-year-old builder with a clear philosophy: do what you say you’re going to do, when you said you’d do it and do it right the first time.
That commitment to integrity has guided the Atlanta-based company for more than three decades—and it continues to define the culture Davidson built from the ground up Today, New South employs more than 300 people and operates offices in Atlanta, Ga., Raleigh-Durham, N C and Jacksonville, Fla From the canopies at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Coca-Cola’s headquarters renovation and Georgia Tech’s first new student housing in 30 years, the company’s projects have become part of the Atlanta landscape Its first clients—Delta Air Lines and The Coca-Cola Company—remain partners decades later, and nearly 90% of its work is with repeat clients READ MORE >>
For construction company Martin & Cobey, the slogan “building beyond the ordinary” ties back to the quality of the education its team members gained from Auburn University.
Founded in Athens, Ala., in 1964, Martin & Cobey has deep roots on the Plains with 70 percent of its leadership team having graduated from Auburn
McWhorter School of Building Science alum Brian Moore ‘87 is President of the mid-sized company that was originally started by his father-in-law Fred Martin Jr ‘55 He runs the business with his brother-in-law, Vice President Frederick Martin, a 1984 graduate of Auburn’s Civil Engineering program, and Chief Financial Officer Bryan Nelson, a 1987 graduate of Auburn’s Accounting program READ MORE >>
LEFT:
Thanks to New South, the domestic north and south terminals of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport feature two 65-foot-tall steel-framed canopies weighing 3.5 million pounds.
When Kevin Price officially founded Kevin Price Construction, in Athens, Ga., in 1989, the business was an extension of work he’d already been doing—helping neighbors, tackling remodeling jobs and taking on small construction projects.
Over time, that work grew into a full-service commercial construction firm grounded in relationships, quality and community impact Today, Kevin Price, a 2018 graduate of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Master of Real Estate Development program, serves as the company’s chairman of the board, while his son Ben, a 2013 BSCI graduate leads Kevin Price Construction READ MORE >>
For Allen Conradi ‘16, Auburn has never been just a university—it’s family tradition.
Following in his grandparents’, parents’ and cousins’ footsteps, Conradi enrolled in Auburn after graduating high school in 2002, but he quickly realized that a traditional academic path wasn’t for him
He left engineering school and went to work for an electrical subcontractor, soon earning his electrical license In 2007, Conradi opened a small electrical company, Thalamus, taking on solo cabling jobs and building his business
In his 30s—with encouragement from his family, Conradi decided to return to school, enrolling in the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) While he was in the thesis program, Thalamus took off, challenging Conradi to draw on both his field experience and education to maintain the growing business
“The Building Science program has given me the tools I need to operate as an entrepreneur, where my electrical license gave me the tools I need to operate as a technician,” Conradi said
Now, the company boasts nearly 50 employees and specializes in integrated electrical systems like networking, lighting controls, traffic signals and access control Named for the brain’s thalamus that translates sensory input, the company simplifies complex electrical and data systems for homes, businesses and municipalities.
& RIGHT:
Thalamus’ project list ranges from restroom renovations at Jordan-Hare Stadium to high-voltage upgrades tied to Auburn’s new football scoreboard Off campus, the company has modernized Opelika’s traffic signal network and helped with an RV park at Wind Creek State Park
Conradi often partners with other contractors rather than competing, filling a specialty niche in heavy civil electrical work The company’s core mission is bringing up the next generation of professional electrical tradespeople Unlike other companies that silo workers into repetitive tasks, Thalamus cross-trains employees across commercial, residential and civil projects, offering executive coaching for managers and apprenticeships for technicians
“If we invest in our people and in bringing professionalism back to the trades and to our technicians, quality and consistency happens,” Conradi said.
After graduating, Conradi didn’t move on from Auburn—he has taught in the BSCI program as an adjunct faculty member since 2018 and mentors the School’s electrical competition team
Whether it’s electrical work, teaching, running a business or raising his family, Conradi is committed to learning
“If there’s one thing that being an entrepreneur has taught me, it is that you can’t be afraid to try new things and fail or to try new things and possibly succeed,” he said “College is not the end of learning It teaches you how to teach yourself
When Pat Arrington ‘85 walked into the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) awards banquet, in October, he thought he was there to support the Building Science program, as he had done for nearly two decades.
Instead, he found his family and longtime friends and colleagues quietly waiting in the room Surprise turned to bewilderment as Arrington learned he had been selected to receive the Auburn Building Science Lifetime Achievement Award
Arrington, Vice President at JE Dunn Construction, has spent nearly 30 years with the company and almost 40 years in the construction industry. He is a 1985 Building Science graduate and a former Auburn football letterman who played under Coach Doug Barfield and Coach Pat Dye Even in the earliest days of his college recruitment, Arrington said the BSCI academic program—not the athletic team—was the deciding factor that brought him to Auburn
I have a lot of respect for Building Science students, professors and for the industry. I haven’t regretted one day of this career since 1985.”
PAT ARRINGTON
Arrington joined JE Dunn Construction in 1997 and rose to lead the education program in the Atlanta office He worked on complex multi-million-dollar education projects like the 350,000-sqft Emory University Health Sciences Research Building and campus upgrades to Westminster Schools The company also worked on major athletic facilities like the Darlington School Athletic Complex in Rome, Georgia and the conversion of the former Atlanta Braves Turner Field ballpark into a football stadium for Georgia State
Arrington has remained deeply connected to Auburn, serving on the BSCI Industry Executive Board for nearly 17 years, returning to lecture in classes and recruiting students into the field. Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, he said, affirmed something simple and meaningful
“I have a lot of respect for Building Science students, professors and for the industry,” he said “I haven’t regretted one day of this career since 1985 ” READ MORE >>
Alumnae of the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) are making a big impact in the growing construction market of Denver, Colorado, turning their Auburn education into successful careers in the Mile High City.
Kathryn Crowley ’13 made the move to Denver as both a personal and professional leap, frequent family visits sparking a connection to the city’s lifestyle
“The mountain views, the abundance of outdoor activities—hiking, biking, camping and skiing—and the overall lifestyle drew me in,” she stated “As I started to see more about Denver’s booming economy, especially in construction, with over 24 tower cranes up in 2023, I realized this was an exciting place to take the next step in my career
Crowley, a Senior Superintendent with Saunders Construction, noted that the city offers a wide range of project types, from healthcare to commercial and residential builds
“The city’s rapid growth, particularly in healthcare, has provided opportunities to contribute to projects that make a difference in the community,” she explained. “With a focus on innovation, sustainability and creating spaces that improve people’s lives, Denver has been an ideal place to grow professionally while maintaining a great work-life balance
Bangoy, a Project Engineer with JE Dunn Construction, is working on the expansion of HCA Healthcare’s Swedish Medical Hospital, including renovations, additions and a tower expansion
“The tower expansion was recognized as Best Project in the Healthcare category by Engineering News-Record Mountain States, and I am extremely thankful to be a part of a wonderful team,” she said
May highlighted the 14,000-square-foot expansion of the emergency department at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee, as her proudest project
For Allison Abrams ’14, Senior Project Manager at FH Construction, what began as a temporary adventure blossomed into a long-term opportunity.
“I grew up in Atlanta and wanted a change for a couple of years—not knowing it would lead to ten!” she said “Denver is a young city with exciting growth and a completely different construction market than places around home ”
“This was my first opportunity to run a job from all aspects, including pre-mobilization work inside the existing facility, utilities, foundations, exterior and interior and commissioning,” she shared. “The project wrapped on schedule, and I built great relationships with the hospital staff ” READ MORE >>
When Sarah Carrico ‘20 arrived at Auburn as a freshman, she wasn’t yet sure what direction her career would take.
But halfway through that first year, she found her calling in BSCI, following in the footsteps of her brother Jacob Carrico ‘16
“The BSCI program stood out for its balance between technical knowledge, leadership development and hands-on learning,” she said “The small cohort sizes offered a sense of community that Auburn is known for ”
Carrico credits BSCI with providing her both leadership and technical skills that industry partners are looking for in college graduates It also connected her with mentors and organizations that encouraged her to grow beyond the classroom
That foundation has guided Carrico into a role as a project manager with Gray in Atlanta, where she now plays a key role in mentoring interns and new hires She takes pride in helping young professionals acclimate to the company’s culture and procedures READ MORE >>
Matt Shelby ‘07 knows a little something about building.
Now president of Shelby General Contractors, he has built an impressive career that traces back to co-starting a lawn business in his late teens and even launching a construction business while at Auburn With deep expertise in both the building industry and building relationships, Shelby has joined the BSCI Industry Executive Board to help shape the future of BSCI students
Shelby believes the best builders understand the client’s goals, embrace the architect’s design intent and self-perform quality work with integrity
“Understanding the origin of a project—the why—drives a deeper commitment to its delivery,” said Shelby. “The leadership approach that I use today stems in part from my experience in program management My goal is to inspire my team to approach every project with a passion for discovering its purpose and gaining vision Combining the ideas and goals of the client with the architect’s design intent allows us to overcome obstacles and deliver a quality end product This is what it means to ‘Advance the Vision ’” READ MORE >>
Growing up in Dothan, Ala., Quick Foy ‘75 said Auburn was in his blood.
The youngest of four children, Foy watched as his siblings followed in his father’s, grandfather’s, aunts’ and uncles’ footsteps to Auburn University, but he was still figuring out what he wanted
After high school, Foy worked for a concrete company run by Auburn civil engineering alum James L Rodgers, who encouraged him to pursue his education, which he eventually did, graduating from the McWhorter School of Building Science (BSCI) in 1975
“Auburn gave me the confidence to think I was capable of walking and talking with practically anybody,” Foy said “It gave me the arsenal to go to meetings with owners, architects, engineers and consultants and be in the conversation ”
After graduating, Foy headed to Nashville to work for Rodgers’ brother Joe at his construction company, Joe M Rodgers & Associates, cutting his teeth building hospitals across the country
In the late 1970s Joe M Rodgers & Associates sold to investors when Rodgers transitioned into politics—eventually becoming the Ambassador to France under President Ronald Reagan—but Foy stayed in touch with the company’s other owners and followed them to the newly founded American Constructors, Inc in 1982
Foy dedicated nearly four decades to American Constructors, working on projects like the Loews Nashville Hotel and Office Building at Vanderbilt Plaza Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville He also participated in multiple higher education projects across campuses including Vanderbilt University, University of the South at Swanee, Lipscomb University and Belmont University, as well as the University School of Nashville
With his work across sectors, Foy became an expert in life safety systems He helped transform the business into an employee-owned company with a qualified Employee Stock Ownership Plan and rose to Vice President of Estimating and Marketing before he retired in 2019 to spend time with his wife, two daughters and six grandchildren, all of whom live nearby in Nashville.
“I never intended to be in a management position, but as you mature, all of a sudden, you’re the mentor,” Foy said “I filled that bill by leading by example ”
“Family, friends, birdwatching and bees are my life now,” he said “I’d like to thank Auburn and the McWhorther School of Building Science— which I still think of as Building Construction ”
During his career he mentored multiple team members with Auburn connections, including Associate Professor Eric Wetzel, who was then a summer intern
"Quick patiently guided me and the other interns through the fundamentals of quantity take-offs and estimating,” Wetzel said. “His mentorship not only helped me bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice but also gave me a foundation I’ve built on ever since I learned an enormous amount that summer—thanks in no small part to Quick
Throughout his career, Foy maintained his connection to the Building Science program, serving on the Industry Advisory Council and hosting student tours in Nashville Now, 50 years after his graduation, Foy still thinks about Auburn and how it kept him marching forward
“Persevering is what makes you successful There’s no hesitation in building You’ve got to keep going ”
When John Butera and Joyce Greathouse talk about Auburn, it’s clear just how much it means to them.
Their time on the Plains gave them the academic preparation they needed to launch successful careers and build the foundation of their lives Now, they are giving back to ensure the next generation of Auburn students have the same opportunities
The couple’s story doesn’t begin in Auburn, though It begins at the University of Montevallo in 1972 Before they transferred to Auburn, the Jefferson County natives met as students at the small liberal arts university
After exploring her passion for the sciences, Greathouse transferred to Auburn in 1972—a big leap from Montevallo’s campus of 2,500-some students But the decision proved right In 1973, after completing Auburn’s rigorous Laboratory Science program in just five quarters, she began working as a medical technologist at Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham
“It was demanding work, but it was such a rewarding career,” she said “Auburn prepared me exceptionally well.”
After Greathouse transferred to Auburn, Butera stayed at Montevallo one more year before a friend encouraged him to transfer into Auburn’s Building Science program That’s where he found his calling
A hands-on learner, Butera thrived while learning Building Science and working through Auburn’s co-op program Looking back, Butera feels that his co-op jobs were particularly important for his development
“I’m a ‘show-me’ kind of guy,” said Butera, who grew up in Birmingham’s Ensley neighborhood “I can’t learn from books, but if I see it, I can do it ”
As Butera and Greathouse focused on their careers, a Montevallo Alumni Directory arrived at Butera’s door in 1991 He thumbed through it, saw Greathouse’s name and gave her a call. Nineteen years after dating at Montevallo, the two rekindled the flame, eventually marrying in 1993
The couple have since retired, but their successful careers allowed them to invest in homes that Butera built in both Panama City Beach and Big Sky, Montana, where they now split their time between the mountains and the beach. But their greatest investment has been in others, most notably students at both Auburn and Montevallo
Auburn changed our lives. We learned so much and owe a lot to the university. Now, we want to help Auburn change other people’s lives.”
JOYCE GREATHOUSE
Through their estate plan, Butera and Greathouse are creating scholarships that support students demonstrating financial need in Building Science, Pre-Health and Laboratory Science.
“Not every student comes from privilege,” Butera said. “I know what it’s like to struggle. The co-op program in building science gave me a real leg up in life.”
Together, they hope their philanthropy will help students gain not just an Auburn education, but fulfilling, meaningful careers like their own
“Auburn changed our lives,” Greathouse said “We learned so much at Auburn and owe a lot to the university Now, we want to help Auburn change other people’s lives ” READ MORE >>
Give back to the Auburn you know and love.
Philanthropic gifts allow future generations to access education and experiences through scholarships, programming and resources.
Contact cadcdev@auburn.edu to learn how you can support the next generation.
Drawing from expertise of Auburn's architecture, engineering, construction manangement and forestry programs, the Auburn Mass Timber Collaborative (AMTC) is set to be a leader in mass timber research, education and outreach.
College of Architecture, Design and Construction
Expertise: Building Design & Construction
Expertise: Wood Science
Samuel Ginn
College of Engineering
Expertise: Mass Timber Structural Systems
Ask any member of the Auburn Mass Timber Collaborative (AMTC) what they think of the university’s newest tool, and you’ll hear nothing but enthusiasm.
“I was very excited when I heard we were getting a cross-laminated timber (CLT) press,” said Brian Via, the Regions Professor of forest products “Getting this press opens up new avenues for grants and funding and allows us to research mass timber on a much larger scale ”
Mass timber is a rapidly growing technology used in the design and construction fields, and the AMTC is becoming a leader in mass timber research, teaching and outreach in the Southeast. Now that the team has acquired a tool to manufacture its own CLT, faculty can do more research without having to leave campus or depend on outside partners
Auburn is the only academic institution in the Southeast and one of fewer than a dozen nationally to own a CLT press Now, Auburn faculty across multiple disciplines can complete the cycle of mass timber production from start to finish—from sapling to shelter READ MORE >>
encompassing the full chain of stakeholders involved in industry: forestry, engineering, architecture, construction and real estate development.
Southeastern forest focus
matching the southeast’s construction ecology to its forest ecology.
supporting our research, education and outreach activities.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AMTC >>
OPPOSITE: Once manufactured, the CLT is transported to Auburn's Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory, where researchers test how much force can be applied before it breaks.
Building Science (BSCI) students explore Mass Timber life cycle in interdisciplinary seminar course.
Co-taught by BSCI Assistant Research Professor Jake Elbrecht and Architecture Professor of Practice Tom Chung, the seminar takes students through the entire process—from forest to fabrication to installation. READ MORE >>
Have you ever noticed a construction worker securing asphalt shingles to a roof on a hot summer day?
Well, Auburn University Building Science faculty members Eric Wetzel and Ken Sands have, and they know that, if left untreated, heat-related illnesses can negatively impact workers and cost construction companies time and money.
That’s why they’ve created a novel device called the Core Temperature Visualization System (COTVIS) aimed at alleviating the burden of heat stress for construction workers
Wetzel said worker perceptions around heat illness can lead to unsafe behaviors that include ignoring the signs of heat strain
“Research has shown that workers tend to underestimate the risk while overestimating their capacity to cope with it, and their reluctance to stop working at the onset of symptoms can often be attributed to a feeling of peer pressure, job security concerns and a fear of being seen as weak,” he said “This can be true even if the company’s operating procedures and policies are at complete odds with the individual’s perception ”
So, that’s why Sands and Wetzel, who teach in the McWhorter School of Building Science, have created a device that makes heat safety the responsibility of everyone on a crew — not just the individual
Small box, big responsibility
COTVIS looks like a small box that comfortably attaches to a construction worker’s belt, hard hat, vest or harness It is designed to pull core body temperature and heart rate from an armband manufactured by the company Slate Safety and analyze data for signs of danger
If it shows the worker is too hot or has a dangerously elevated heart rate, COTVIS will illuminate with a red LED screen and a warning message Since the device is facing outward, other crew members will notice it light up and will know right away they need to get their co-worker to take a break
“Construction workers tend to be stubborn when it comes to their personal well-being, but they are protective of each other,” Wetzel said “The idea behind COTVIS was to take away the responsibility of the individual to say they’re having a problem and make it the function of everyone on a crew ”
CARVing out a path
In 2023, when Wetzel established the Construction Automation, Robotics and Visualization (CARV) Lab as an artificial intelligence (AI) research hub within the McWhorter School of Building Science, Sands was the first person he asked to join the lab Faculty members who work at CARV do applied research in many subsets of AI, including machine learning/deep learning, robotics, computer vision and natural language processing.
While the lab is traditional in the sense that it pursues external funding, establishes academic and industry collaborations and publishes research, it is unique in its service mission
In 2024 alone, the CARV Lab presented at a dozen K-12 schools and college events to educate and excite young people about the construction industry and the role of AI in the coming years While those events are fun and engaging for students, the CARV Lab is becoming well-known in the construction industry as a place for cutting-edge research
“We’re tackling some of the biggest challenges in the construction industry, like labor shortages, safety concerns and productivity issues in the CARV Lab,” said David Hinson, the college’s Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies “By teaming up with industry partners and different departments here on campus, we’re in a great spot to develop innovative technical solutions that will push our industry forward ”
Sands and Wetzel, who met years ago while they were both pursuing doctorates, think they make a good team, thanks to Sands’ expertise in heat safety and Wetzel’s programming skills But they say they couldn’t have done it without the help of their CADC colleague Rusty Lay, who designed the device’s housing, and doctoral students Caleb Powell and Muhammad Umer, who assisted with data collection and software development
They also were supported by two internal CADC grants that helped fund their research and prototyping, and this past year, they received help from the Intellectual Property Exchange (IPX) at Auburn in obtaining a provisional patent for COTVIS
So, what’s next for COTVIS? Sands and Wetzel hope to publish their work and get their new device ready to go on the market.
“The heat safety research was inspired by the roofing industry and my prior work with the Roofing Alliance, but the device definitely was the brainchild of Eric,” Sands said “We hope to continue innovating for the betterment of the industry and those who work in it.” READ MORE>>
We’re tackling some of the biggest challenges in the construction industry, like labor shortages, safety concerns and productivity issues in the CARV Lab. By teaming up with industry partners and different departments here on campus, we’re in a great spot to develop innovative technical solutions that will push our industry forward.”
OPPOSITE: COTVIS comfortably attaches to a construction worker’s belt, hard hat, vest or harness. When a worker is too hot or has a dangerously elevated heart rate, COTVIS alerts others on the crew by illuminating with a red LED screen and a warning message.
ABOVE: The CARV Lab is a hub for applied research in many subsets of AI, including machine learning/deep learning, robotics, computer vision and more. When Wetzel (pictured right) established the CARV Lab in 2023, Sands (pictured left) was the first person he asked to join the lab. The two have been friends for years since they met while pursuing their doctorates.
Building Science Assistant Professor Ben Marshall and construction management graduate student Miriam Abikhaled are collaborating with Emily McGlohn, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at Rural Studio, to examine how cooking fumes affect indoor air quality in homes.
Grant funding from CCIC, McWhorter Fund for Excellence and the College of Architecture, Design and Construction Seed Grant programs are supporting a collaborative project to better understand how residents currently use ventilation during cooking. Cooking emissions are a common source of particulate matter (PM) exposure in homes, and higher PM levels have been linked to adverse health outcomes, especially in lowincome communities. The research team is conducting a post-occupancy assessment of two Rural Studio homes to identify risk factors that can negatively affect occupant health, such as PM and VOC levels as well as stove and fume hood use habits. The goal is to determine barriers to optimal fume hood use, leading to the development of evidencebased interventions. For example, healthier behaviors can be encouraged with education (sensors showing poor air quality), standards (fume hood stays on when stove is on), or products (fume hood stays on when stove sensor detects heat). This project’s focus on enhancing the air quality of homes, while simultaneously addressing air quality’s inherent effects on health, advances the strategic goal to improve health in the state.
The exterior of a 102-year-old school is back to its former glory after a restoration project by interdisciplinary faculty members from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) and the College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
Back in 2022, a team of Auburn faculty members received nearly $500,000 from the National Park Service to restore the exterior of the Tankersley Rosenwald School in Hope Hull, Alabama Now, after three years of thoughtful planning and careful construction, the rehabilitation of the exterior is complete
The Rosenwald Schools consist of nearly 400 structures built in Alabama between 1912–32 to serve as educational facilities for African American children It is uncertain how many of those structures still exist, and some that are still standing have fallen into disrepair.
Architecture faculty Gorham Bird; BSCI faculty Junshan Liu, Hunter McGonagill and Richard Burt; and CLA faculty Elijah Gaddis and Keith Hébert—as well as Danielle Wilkens from the Georgia Institute of Technology—have pooled their knowledge of architecture, history, digital preservation and structural restoration to get the project done
“The interdisciplinary team has formed organically over the course of the project in response to the particular needs of the building and the community around it,” said Gaddis “Each of us has brought our own strengths in order to make it much better than it could have been ”
The Tankersley School was at risk of collapsing due to a structural failure until the Auburn team stepped in. The faculty utilized the National Park Service funds to stabilize the building, complete a Historic Structures Report and restore the exterior
With support from Auburn’s Creative Work and Social Impact Scholarship grant, CADC Seed grants and Tiger Giving Day donors, the plan is to next restore the interior of the Tankersley School so it can eventually be utilized as a community center
“The Tankersley School has always been the beating heart of the community,” Gaddis said “In its restored condition, it shows the value it continues to hold ” READ MORE >>
Five Building Science faculty research projects have received Seed Grant Awards from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC), and one has been selected for a McWhorter Fund for Excellence.
College-wide, thirteen total projects were selected for Seed Grants, totaling more than $100,000 These projects will be completed over the coming year.
The CADC Seed Grant program provides funding to support faculty research, scholarship and creative work. These funds serve to advance faculty work that has the potential to secure external funding or yield visibility to the faculty and college through resulting work, including publications, exhibitions and fellowships.
The 2026 CADC Seed Grant awardees are as follows:
Jake Elbrecht
Developing an Agentic Artificial Intelligence System for Mass Timber Design and Construction
Jeff Kim and Junshan Liu
Immersive Digitizing & Visualizing Built Environments in VR/AR — Phase 1: Infrastructure Development
Ben Marshall and Alexander Adolf
CO2 Concentration in Job Trailers and Decision-Making Implications
Ken Sands, Anoop Sattineni and doctoral student Ayodele Fasoyinu
Feasibility of Commercially Available Wearables as a Safety Intervention for Construction Workers: A Pilot Investigation
Eric Wetzel, Alexander Adolf and doctoral student Caleb Powell
Spotting Issues: An autonomous robot companion for punchlist creation
The Earlon McWhorter ’68 and Betty McWhorter Fund for Excellence was established to further collaboration between the major academic disciplines in CADC, specifically in the area of designbuild. One project was awarded a McWhorter Fund for Excellence Grant for 2026:
Jake Elbrecht and Kiel Moe
Exploring Analog and Digital Pedagogy for Mass Timber Installation Training, Phase II
BELOW: The punchlist phase of construction is essential for ensuring quality and completeness before project turnover, but current digital platforms utilize inefficient workflows. Associate Professor Eric Wetzel, Lecturer Alexander Adolf and doctoral student Caleb Powell are exploring a human–robot collaboration system that automates punchlist generation, significantly reducing manual input and improving efficiency. The project utilizes BSCI's robotic dog, Mac, pictured here on a construction site.
Seven research projects led by McWhorter School of Building Science faculty received grants from the Center for Construction Innovation and Collaboration (CCIC).
Alexander Adolf, Ben Marshall and Lauren Redden
Coping Strategies and Organizational Mental Health Support in the Construction Industry: Advancing Evidence-Based Policy into Practice
Junshan Liu, doctoral student Shadi Alathamneh and master's student Imran Jebarah Reality Capture and 3D Mold Fabrication for Historic Ornament Replication: The Comer Hall Case Study
Ken Sands, Anoop Sattineni and doctoral student Ayodele Fasoyinu Feasibility of Affordable, Commercially Available Wearables for Fieldworker Safety Interventions
Eric Wetzel, Jian Zhang (Kennesaw State University) and undergraduate student Kathryn McEniry Intelligent Agents for Construction: Enhancing Large Language Model Comprehension of Floorplans
Eric Wetzel, Alexander Adolf and doctoral student Caleb Powell Spotting Issues: An autonomous robot companion for punchlist creation
Amna Salman and master's graduate/industry partner Wasiq Ahmad Standardizing the Modular Construction Supply Chain to Advance Affordable Housing and Subassembly Markets
Jake Elbrecht and Wes Collins
Developing an Agentic Artificial Intelligence System for Mass Timber Design and Construction
CCIC fosters partnerships that bring about improvements in the construction industry.
Since 2009, it has provided over $1 million in research funding to CADC faculty, resulting in numerous peer-reviewed published works and the issuance of multiple full-utility patents. CCIC projects directly respond to the needs of the construction industry—needs defined by industry leaders themselves.
CCIC research focus areas include:
• Workforce supply, health & safety
• Information, data & technology
• Prefabrication, lean practices & sustainability
• Delivery methods & supply chain
LEARN MORE >>
// Quoin vol. 36 (December 2025)
Richard Burt / BSCI Head and McWhorter Endowed Chair
Madison Champion / CADC Communications Manager + Lead Designer
Brandon Clarke / BSCI Administrator of Academic Programs
// Contributors
Kate Mazade / writer
Kelley Young / writer
Audrey Matthews Lowry / designer
Auburn University is an equal opportunity educational institution/employer.
