Iowa State University has the nation’s most outstanding student construction chapter of 2017, the Associated General Contractors of America announced during its annual convention in New Orleans. The association also announced that California State University, Chico and Boise State University were the second and third place winners, respectively, of its 2017 Outstanding Student Chapter contest.
“We are investing in the future of our industry by nurturing a strong network of student chapters at colleges and universities across the country,” said Art Daniel, the association’s president and president and COO of AR Daniel Construction Services in Cedar Hill, Texas. “The three chapters we honor today have demonstrated an incredible commitment to supporting the industry and their local communities.”
Iowa State University’s AGC Student Chapter members spent their Thanksgiving break in Baton Rouge donating over 1,500 volunteer-hours repairing flood-damaged homes. The student members also spent their spring break in Charleston, South Carolina helping low-income families make repairs in the wake of a tropical storm. And the chapter members worked at home to help repair a community homeless shelter. The national association awarded the chapter $2,500 for winning first place.
The AGC Chapter at California State University, Chico helped build new shade structures for the Butte County Master Gardner’s Association and the Patrick Ranch Museum. Students with the chapter also helped repair 29 Adirondack cabins for the Boy Scouts of America. And the group helped provide estimates and conceptual plans to help return passenger air service to Butte County. The national association awarded the chapter $1,500 for winning second place.
Members of the Boise State University’s Construction Management Association helped rebuild a barn for a local Air Force Veteran and also built a Veterans’ Day parade float honoring women in the military. And member students also helped build new storage containers for the local Intermountain Bird Observatory. The national association awarded the chapter $1,000 for winning third place.
The three winning chapters were selected by a panel of judges made up of practicing commercial contractors. Student chapters were evaluated on the strength of their relationship with their sponsoring AGC chapter and the quality of their philanthropic activities. The student chapters received their awards during the Closing Session taking place as part of the association’s annual convention in New Orleans.