SAN DIEGO - A team of students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, were selected by a panel of national construction professionals as among the most skilled future construction managers and builders in the country. The team, which traveled to the San Diego-based national convention of the Associated General Contractors of America for the event, won first place in the National Student Championship Heavy Civil Division.
"At a time when the nation is looking to the construction community to help rebuild America's economy, these teams represent the promise and the potential of our industry," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association's chief executive officer. "Because of the way the event is structured, if you can succeed at this competition, you are ready to face the challenges any builder in America is likely to face in his or her career."
As part of the event, 21 teams from colleges across the country were evaluated on their ability to successfully bid, plan and schedule construction projects. Judges evaluated the teams' on their presentation skills, their creativity, their understanding of sound construction techniques and their methodology during a two-day simulated construction project.
The National Student Championship Award winners were announced as part of the Associated General Contractors of America's 90th Annual Convention in San Diego, Calif. Flatiron Construction Corp., Hensel Phelps Construction Co., and Turner Construction each sponsor a division of the event. In addition to California Polytechnic State University, the following student teams also were awarded as part of the championship:
Heavy Civil Division
1st place: Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
2nd place: University of Oklahoma
3rd place: Weber State University
1st place: Colorado State University
2nd place: Central Washington University
3rd place: Roger Williams University
Design Build Division
1st place: Milwaukee School of Engineering
2nd place: Clemson University
3rd place: California State University, Long Beach
EDITOR'S NOTE: Photos of the event and interviews with members of the student teams are available upon request.
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