CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TEAM WINS ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Dr. Kennard Larson
Department of Industrial Technology, 308.865.8292

Fifteen Construction Management majors from the University of Nebraska at Kearney competed in the National Student Competition at the International Builders Show February 7-10 in Atlanta, Ga. Six students represented the competitive team which, in its first year of competition, was received the “Rookie of the Year” award. Twenty-five universities competed, including Texas A&M, Purdue, Clemson, Arizona State, BYU, Auburn, and Penn State.

The competition is sponsored by Centex Homes, the second largest homebuilder in the United States. The team received the plans and specifications for a 48 unit (houses) sub-division development in Indianapolis, Ind., last October. For this $10+ million project, they had 120 hours to prepare the estimate, schedule, cash flow analysis, market analysis, and return on investment. The team submitted their package to the judges two weeks prior to the competition for the judges to preview. At the conference, the team gave a power point presentation to a panel of five judges comprised of CEO’s of major construction companies. After the presentation, they had to field questions on their strategy.

Construction Management student Travis Anderson of Kearney was awarded one of ten nationwide Outstanding Student awards for his dedication to the student chapter and the construction program at UNK.

“I commend the students on their dedication to the profession and to their education here at UNK,” said Dr. Ken Larson, professor of Industrial Technology.

In addition to participating in the competition, the students attended educational seminars, exhibitions, and the Construction Management Career Fair while in attendance. The competitive team is listed below.