CMD receives gift from Grainger - 06/24/2010

The Construction Management department was a recent recipient of a generous $10,000 gift from the Grainger Community Grant Program, presented by Karl Pfankuch, Grainger branch manager and Douglas Bennett, Grainger sales manager in Marietta. The money will be used to provide scholarships for students within the construction management major and facility management concentration to help meet the demand for skilled workers in those fast-growing fields. Grainger is a national chain that provides a range of products related to building and industrial construction and facilities management. They are a proud member of Marietta’s vibrant community and play an important role in supporting SPSU’s Construction Management program and its students. In 2007 the company provided a similar grant to the department. For more information about Grainger’s community involvement please visit www.grainger.com/community.

From Left to Right Mr. Robert Forbes Interim Sr. Director facilities, Dr. Gouranga Banik Professor CM, Douglas Bennett Grainger Sales Manager , Dr. Khalid Siddiqi Chair Construction Management Department, and Karl Pfankuch  Grainger Marietta Branch Manager, and Dr. Shariar Makarechi Professor CM.

Capstone Seniors and Graduate Dinner - 4/21/10

04/21/10 Wednesday – 6:00 PM: Mr. Roy Beeson, Vice President and Regional General Manager for McDonough Bolyard Peck, Inc. was the Guest Speaker for Spring 2010 Capstone and Graduate Dinner held at  Joe Mac
Wilson Student Center on 4/21/10.  Mr. Beeson Bs and MS from Tulane University has 35 plus years of experience in the construction industry.  His experience ranges from managing the design and construction, commissioning, of projects and programs of various sizes and types.  He has constructed institutional, healthcare, commercial, industrial and educational facilities as well as transit facilities, parking decks, roads, bridges, and airfields.  His service to the cause of improving the Construction management is unmatched.  He currently serves as the Chair of the Construction Industry advisory Board.  Earlier Dr. Siddiqi welcomed the guest speaker and congratulated Mr. Roy Beeson on his leadership and service to the Industry Advisory Board.  Mr. Brian Parker, a graduating senior also spoke on the occasion and thanked the guest speaker for his continued support. Professor Maureen Weidner, in her talk, suggested ways and means to succeed in the Construction Management profession. 
The dinner was held to celebrate the achievements of graduating seniors of the Construction Management Department at Southern Polytechnic State University.   Mr. Roy Beeson who is also the Chair of the Construction Industry Advisory Board delivered a talk on how the students need to market themselves aggressively for jobs.  He also identified the areas and the projects where new interns and graduates could start working.  His talk was followed by a question and Answer session.

CMD organized Spring-2010 cookout - 03/03/2010

The Construction Management Department organizes a cookout in fall and Spring semesters each year to celebrate CM student successes and awards.  Another objective of the cook out is to recruit students for various student organizations and to have fellowship.  Also invited to these cook-out were students and faculty from CET and Architecture Departments.  From 4:30 PM and to 7:00 PM approximately 400 students participated and enjoyed the event.

CMD students visit Seasons 4 - 02/27/2010

On Saturday 02/27/2010, the Construction Management Specialty Students visited
4500 Industrial Access Road, Douglasville, GA 30134. Seasons•4 has been providing custom HVAC systems for supermarkets, schools, commercial and office buildings, government facilities, and other applications.Student get to talking into a 500 ton DX HVAC unit, which the manufacture are fabricating for military base. Students also get to see 10' height enthalpy wheel which installed for other HVAC unit. The tour of the warehouse also helps students learning different components of HVAC system.

Capstone Seniors and Graduate Dinner - 12/2/09

12/2/09 Wednesday – 6:00 PM:  Mr. Paul Hogan  President and CEO of Hogan Construction Group was
the Guest Speaker for Fall Capstone and Graduate Dinner held at  Joe Mac Wilson Student Center on 12/2/09. The dinner was held to celebrate a major milestone in the lives of Construction Management students of Southern Polytechnic. The Dinner is organized to celebrate accomplishments of Capstone Seniors and Graduate
students.  Mothers, fathers. Guardians and significant others of CM students were also invited on the occasion to witness this important milestone in the life of their loved one. Since founding Hogan Construction Group in 1998, Paul has gained a reputation as a “Builder’s Builder”………doing it right the first time and not taking short cuts that will reduce the project’s quality.  As a fast track specialist and an expert in program development, he is very hands on, personally involved and deeply committed to his clients’ project success..

SPSU CMD Participates in CEFGA Event at Georgia International Convention Center - April 16-17, 2009

As a partner of CEFGA, (the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia), ABC of Georgia feels it is important to provide ongoing information surrounding this vital non-profit organization.

The CEFGA Expo and SkillsUSA Championships were held April 16-17. Lt. Governor Casey Cagle served as honorary chair this year. The 5th annual event, sponsored and managed by CEFGA, attracted more than 6,000 attendees - mostly middle school and high school students interested in learning more about a career in construction. The Expo was hosted by more than 200 construction-related companies. SPSU and their Construction management Department was present on the occasion. CMD Industry Advisory Board Members namely Mike Hardin (Harcon), Ken Barnett (Van Winkle), David Ellis (Atlanta Home Builders) and Cherri Watson (Director AGC Education) made themselves available to talk to visiting students.  In addition Drs Siddiqi, Meadati, Makarechi and Abaza were also available at different times to answer student questions.  Ms. Heather Bush (AGC student Chapter President), Tyler Isgett (New South) CM Student, Jarrod Bunch CM Student, Jeremy Shadrix (On behalf of MWC) Alumni also participated as promoters of SPSU CM Department.

Dr. Ron Koger Vice President Student enrollment services also visited the CEFGA Fair.  Participation of Ms. Amanda Brown Assistant Director Recruitment on behalf of SPSU is gratefully acknowledged. Drs Ilseok Oh, and Kim also participated for SPSU’s Construction Engineering Program.
CEFGA every year seeks to place 100 high school interns this summer, and looks for sponsor companies. High school students enrolled in construction-related training are pre-screened, and they seek employment and learning opportunities with ABC member companies. Sponsor companies are asked to pay a minimum of $8.50 per hour and asked to employ the student(s) for a minimum of 10 weeks during the summer.

CMD students visit LEED Gold Building - 04/03/2009

On Saturday 3 April 2009, the Construction Management Specialty Students visited
1180 Peachtree. The building is 41 stories and is now LEED gold. Students learned about the MEP systems and the LEED systems.

CMD Student Nathan Reinhardt recieves Engineering Technology Student - 2009 award - 03/16/2009

SPSU Student Nathan Reinhardt was presented with Engineering Technology Student of the Year Award for Georgia State at Engineer's week Banquet.  Seen in the picture from Awards banquet from Left to Right are: Dr. Khalid Siddiqi, Chair CMD Department, Professor John Mench CM Faculty, Nathan Reinhardt Recipient of Engineering Technology Student of the Year Award, Dr. Zvi Szafran VPAA SPSU and Robert Wilson President/CEO of Dynaelectric where Nathan works as Assistant Project Manager.  Drs. Siddiqi and Mench from SPSU nominated Nathan Reinhardt for this coveted award, which he received on February 28, 2009 at Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Community Center located on  2500 Clairmont Road, NE  Atlanta. struction Management Specialty Students visited
1180 Peachtree. The building is 41 stories and is now LEED gold. We learned about the MEP systems and the LEED systems.

CMD organized Spring-2009 cookout - 03/04/2009

The Construction Management Department organizes a cookout in fall and Spring semesters each year to celebrate CM student successes and awards.  Another objective of the cook out is to recruit students for various student organizations and to have fellowship.  Also invited to these cook-out were students and faculty from CET and Architecture Departments.  From 4:30 PM and to 7:00 PM approximately 400 students participated and enjoyed the event organized by AGC Student Chapter President Andrew Tyler Isgett.  Andrew was ably assisted by Cole Collins and Jared Bunch.  Congratulations to all CM Students, faculty and staff!!!

Mr. Karl Pfankuch  of Grainger Industrial Supply (Five Billion International Company) was specially invited on the occasion of Construction Management Department Cook out, where he announced and gave away 3- $ 2000 (three Two Thousand Dollar) Scholarships. Mr. Pfankuch personally met and congratulated the scholarship winners. He also expressed his gratitude to the CM Department for hosting the Cook-out event to celebrate Grainger Scholarships.  

Grainger Scholarship Winners are:

Brian Parker – BS CM Program

Chris Hornby – Project Management Certificate Program

Soubhagya Nelabhotla  – MSCM Program

CMD earns Six year Re-Accreditation - 02/23/2008

The American Council of Construction Education (ACCE) has renewed SPSU’s Construction Management Department’s BS Program accreditation for six years.  The ACCE has commended the Institution and the Program on the outstanding strengths demonstrated to the Visiting Team

CMD students visit Seasons 4 and LEED Platinum Building - 02/07/2009

On Saturday 7 February 2009 the ASHRAE student branch (14 construction management specialty students) at SPSU toured Seasons 4 a custom air conditioning manufacturing plant. After lunch 7 students visited the LEED
platinum building at Sweet Creek State Park.

Capstone Seniors and Graduate Dinner - 7/22/08

7/22/08 Wednesday – 6:00 PM Joe Mac Wilson Student Center on – 55 person  gathering. Mr. Bruce Smith CEO Land Development Cousins Properties. was the Guest Speaker. The dinner was held to celebrate a major milestone in the lives of Construction Management students of Southern Polytechnic; the event was Summer 2008 Capstone Dinner.  The Dinner is organized to celebrate accomplishments of Capstone Seniors and Graduate students.  Mothers, fathers. Guardians and significant others of CM students were also invited on the occasion to witness this important milestone in the life of their loved ones. Mr. Bruce Smith was born and raised in Longview, a town in east Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1969 and spent the next five years as a pilot for the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the Air Force, he used the experience he gained from his family's building business and went to work for the large homebuilder, Fox and Jacobs. While managing the construction, Fox and Jacobs built 4,000 single family homes in Dallas Fort Worth in 1979. In 1982 he joined Arvida and moved to Florida and then to Atlanta to run their development operation in 1984. After eleven years with Arvida, he left to start the residential division for Cousins Properties.  He has been involved in the development of Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida, Waikiki in Honolulu, Eagle Watch in Canton, Georgia, and Bentwater and Seven Hills in Paulding County, Georgia.  Today, Cousins Properties has 24 master planned communities in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, Tampa, and Atlanta.  Cousins is also in a joint venture with Callaway Gardens to develop and build 1,500 homes and lots.  In the last 20 years, he has provided over 40,000 home sites supported by numerous golf courses, water parks, and other recreational facilities. Bruce is active in the Urban Land Institute, Homebuilder Association, Hospice and the Metro Board for the YMCA.  Mr. Smith talked about development issues related to water resources in Georgia and the need to improve the communities in which we live.

Capstone Seniors and Graduate Dinner 4/16/08

4/16/08 Wednesday – 6:00 PM Ballroom – Mr. Doug Davidson President New South Construction Company, Inc. was the Guest Speaker for Capstone Dinner held at Joe Mac Wilson Student Center on 4/16/08 The dinner was held to celebrate a major milestone in the lives of Construction Management students of Southern Polytechnic; the event was Spring 2008 Capstone and Graduate Student Dinner. The Dinner is organized to celebrate accomplishments of Capstone Seniors and Graduate students. For graduate students this event is considered a part of their professional development expectation strongly encouraged by the department. Mothers, fathers. Guardians and significant others of CM students were also invited on the occasion to witness this important milestone in the life of their loved ones. Mr. Davidson President elect for the Georgia Branch of the Association of General Contractor, who also serves on the Advisory Board and is past President for CEFGA (Construction Education Foundation of Georgia), delivered his talk on how to be successful. Mr. Doug Davidson currently sits on the Board the Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance and the Metro Bank Board. He is a past Board member of Sheltering Arm. He is currently a member of the AGC, CEFGA, Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance, Atlanta Rotary Club, SAME (Society of American Military Engineers), Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, Forward Atlanta, and remains Active in Auburn Building Science Alumni. Mr. Doug Davidson received Georgia Trends Forty Under 40 recognition in 1998. Doug talked about his successes through understanding the importance of relationships, integrity and quality of service while serving a client.

CMD students visit Seasons 4

2/2/08 - On Saturday 2/2/08 students of CM 3180, CM 4480 & CM 3190 visited Seasons 4 manufacturing. To learn about the fabrication method of custom air conditioning systems. The picture shows SPSU students and faculty in their manufacturing facility.

Director Atlanta Bureau of Buildings Visits SPSU’s Construction Management Department

12/14/07 - Mr. Ibrahim Maslamani Director City of Atlanta Bureau of Buildings accompanied with Douglas Estes, President SPSU Alumni Board visited the Construction Management Department of Southern Polytechnic State University. Mr. Maslamani and Mr. Estes (CEO Estes Shields Engineering Inc.) participated in a discussion held at CM Department on December 14, 2007 to plan internships for Construction Management students. Photo: Left to Right Ibrahim Maslamani Director City of Atlanta Bureau of Buildings, Dr. Siddiqi Chair Construction Management Department SPSU, Mr. Douglas Estes CEO Estes Shields Engineering Inc.

President AECA Visits SPSU

11/30/07 - Mr. Milton Clowers President of Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association (AECA) visited the Construction management Department of Southern Polytechnic State University. Mr. Clowers President of Uptime Electrical Contractors participated in an information session about the Construction Management Department growth and internships on November 30, 2007. Later AECA contributed $ 5000.00 for award of Scholarships to students in the Construction Management Program.

Photo: Left to Right Dr. Siddiqi Chair Construction Management Department SPSU, Mr. Milton Clowers President Atlanta Electiracl Contractors, and Professor John Mench SPSU Lead Faculty for Specialty Concentration.

Capstone Seniors and Graduate Dinner

11/28/07 Wednesday – 6:00 PM Ballroom – 65 person gathering Mr. Bradley Phillips, Managing Director of The Beck Group’s Eastern Division, was the Guest Speaker for Capstone Dinner held at Joe Mac Wilson Student Center on 11/28/07 The dinner was held to celebrate a major milestone in the lives of Construction Management students of Southern Polytechnic; the event was Fall 2007 Capstone and Graduate Student Dinner. The Dinner is organized to celebrate accomplishments of Capstone Seniors and Graduate students. For graduate students this event is considered a part of their professional development expectation strongly encouraged by the department. Mothers, fathers. Guardians and significant others of CM students were also invited on the occasion to witness this important milestone in the life of their loved ones. Mr. Bradley Phillips has been very active in developing applications to aid in the work process. He has about 28 years of experience with the Beck Group in different capacities. He was Director of Beck’s West End Studio which was responsible for delivering office buildings, Call/Data Centers using an integrated approach which combines development, design, construction and technology. In the past Brad also directed Beck Technology which has been developing software since 1996 for use in AEC Industry. The software under development is an intelligent 3D architectural design solution that offers an automated approach to the building, design/engineering drawing production, estimating and scheduling process. Brad holds a Patent on this Building Information Modeling Software for the company. Brad currently serves on the Board of AGC Georgia and the national PIAC (Private Industry Advisory Council). Currently Mr. Bradley Phillips is Board of Adviser Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and he serves on the Economic Development Committee, and on the Real Estate roundtable. Brad also serves on the Woodruff Arts Center Real Estate Committee, a member of Urban Land Institute and National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP). Brad has served on the Board of Directors of the International alliance for Interoperability(IAI), which is focused on development of Industrial Foundation Classes that will allow the transfer of Electronic building data between disparate software systems. The Beck Group has numerous SPSU graduates and interns from SPSU. Beck like many other general contractors continues to hire our graduates. We are proud of our association with Beck. I know personally that Brad had mad time to come to SPSU and speak to SPSU classes in the past. We are also grateful for Beck’s support of AGC student chapter at SPSU and the CM Departments Annual Fundraiser. Mr. Bradley Phillips realizes the importance of BIM technology that can make the construction process more efficient and facilitate data sharing among various stakeholders during the life cycle of a constructed project. He shared his life experiences to demonstrate how his passion for technology for which he holds a patent in the construction industry factored into enhancing his career.

Grainger constributes to SPSU CM Scholarship Fund

10/11/07 -Grainger presented the Construction Management Deaprtment at SPSU with $10,000 towards students scholarships. Read the full article here.

CM Students visit a MEP showplace project

9/26/07 -On Saturday Sept 22 eighteen SPSU construction specialty students and Dr. Mench visited
a computer center where Inglett & Stubbs are the prime contractor. The three phase voltages are 13,800 and 575 and over twenty generators are being used as backup. It was a MEP show place. We were joined by Dr. Jeter and a student from Ga. Tech.

CM 3110 Students participate in Masonry Demonstration

9/19/07-Students from Assistant Professor Pavan Meadati's class participated in a masonry demonstration organized by the Masonry Institute of Georgia. See the pictures here.

Dr. Dean Kashiwagi presents seminar in CM1000 Course

9/10/07-Dr. Dean Kashiwagi from Arizona State presents two seminar topics to the CM1000 class. The topics included Best Value Practices and Leadership Theory in construction. The presentations delivered by Dr. Kashiwagi are available as PodCasts in the CMPodCast website.

Construction Management Students Return from Study Abroad in Valencia Spain

8/22/07-A group of 5 students returned from a study abroad course planned by Dr. Irizarry which took place in Valencia Spain. Students had the opportunity to visit local construction sites and structures by renowned Architect Santiago Calatrava. They also had the experience of living with a host family and enjoy the many activities available in Valencia and surrounding cities. During the course, students where required to keep a blog in which they shared their experiences. Information about the course and the blog can be accessed http://www.imatekconsulting.com/irizarry/personal/index.html.

Photos coming soon.

Capstone Dinner Event held on 7-24-07

7/24/07-The guest speaker Marcia Hurd-Wade was visibly impressed by the fact that the program enjoys tremendous community and the construction industry support. Ms. Marcia, Program Management Officer and Director of Construction for the Department of Watershed Construction Management Group manages one Billion Dollar portfolio of infrastructure projects for the city of Atlanta. In the recent past she has been instrumental in getting several SPSU's CM graduates hired at key positions in various contracting firms. Dr. Ron Koger Vice President for student Enrolment Services was also present on the occasion.4/21/07 - On Saturday the 21st of April, 12 construction students visited the QTS Metro Data Center.
The prime contractor is an electrical contractor and the mechanical systems are a major
portion of this project.

SPSU students visit QTS Metro Data Center Project

4/21/07 - On Saturday the 21st of April, 12 construction students visited the QTS Metro Data Center.
The prime contractor is an electrical contractor and the mechanical systems are a major
portion of this project.

Construction Student Acquires Professional LEED Accreditation

4/18/07-Construcion Management student Charles Barrett has successfully passed the LEED examination. Charles is currently an undergraduate student in the Construction Management LEED Course. Congratulations Charles!

SPSU students participate in the first Latino Worker's Day event

4/15/07-Construcion Management student Jarrod Moss and other SPSU students helped as volunteers in the first Latino Worker's Day event in Duluth, Georgia. This event was to commemorate Latino construction workers who died on the job in 2006. The students assisted Dr. Javier Irizarry in administering tests to the participants of safety classes provided by various industry professionals.

CMD students visit Seasons 4
3/19/07 - Several SPSU specialty construction management students visited Seasons 4 manufacturing facility on Sat. Seasons 4 manufacturers custom commercial air conditioning systems.

Second Construction Management Alumni Evening
2/15/07 - Second SPSU Construction Alumni Reconnection & Friends of the Department event of Southern Polytechnic Sate University was held on 2/15/07 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Those present here to greet the Alumni included Dr. Lisa Rossbacher, President Southern Polytechnic State University, Dr. Zvi Szafran, Vice President Academic Affairs, Vice President Dr. Ron Dempsey, Dr. Wilson Barnes, Dean ACC, and almost all of the Construction Management Department Faculty and Staff.2nd Annual Construction Management Department Friends, Industry, and Alumni Re-connection Event. Dr. Siddiqi, Chair CM Department welcomed the alumni, gave a background on evolution of CM Degree, and praised the role of CM Alumni in
The event took place at SPSU Community Center, which provided an intimate setting for the 2nd CM Alumni Event. Stories and memories filled the air as 75+ alumni, friends, industry, leadership, faculty, and staff of the CMD department re-connected. Erin Clark, a BS CM Candidate for the Degree in April 2007 shared her personal experience and recognized faculty for continued guidance and her seamless transition into the workplace. Paramount to the success of programs offered by the CM Department is their relationships within in the local and national construction industry, which have been carefully cultivated by CM and university leadership. Additionally, CMD Advisory Board Chair Don Davidson commented on his role as an alum, CM Business professional, advisory board chair, and most importantly his role as a father of a CM student currently enrolled in BS CM Program of SPSU. Festivities continued as many in attendance visited the “SPSU” logo table to check if they won the lucky draw held for the alumni.

McCarthy Leadership Visits SPSU CM Department
2/2/07 -Mr. Kevin Kuntz Executive Vice President of the McCarthy Building Companies presented a three by five feet display to Dr. Khalid Siddiqi, Chair Construction Management Department for McCarthy Construction Services display in the Hallway of Construction Management Department on February 2, 2007. Earlier Mr. Kevin W. Kuntz presented a Three Thousand Dollars ($ 3000.00) contribution in support of the Construction Management Department. McCarthy Building Companies Inc. has headquarters in St. Louis and is also working on significant economic development projects in Atlanta and Georgia.

Picture Caption: From LTR: Dr. Khalid Siddiqi, Chair CM Department SPSU, Mr. Kevin Kuntz E Executive Vice President McCarthy Building Companies, Edwin (Eddie) Harris, McCarthy Vice President Operations and CM Industry Advisory Board Member, Mr. Victor Simasiku SPSU Intern at McCarthy

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