03/02/01
Student teams take top honors at Associated Schools of Construction competition

For the third straight year, a student team from construction management in the School of Architecture and Construction Management took second place in commercial division of the Associated Schools of Construction Region 7 competition held in Reno, Nevada in February. Another student team took second in the residential division. The students won plaques and $2,000 for the school.

"Placing in two divisions speaks highly of our program and the ability of our students,'' said Darlene Septelka, assistant professor and Spokane Construction Management Program Coordinator. "This was recognized by many of the industry participants that attended the event this year and their increased desire to hire WSU graduates and interns.''

The ASC annually holds construction competitions for students of the member schools that are meant to provide the student participant with scenarios that mirror the real-life construction process. Upon arrival in Reno, students are given a problem, based on a real project, and have 24 hours to prepare written solutions and presentation materials. Each team presents its solution to a team of professionals who sponsor the competition problem. Twenty-four WSU students in teams of six participated in heavy civil, residential, commercial, and design-build competitions. Their competitors included students from California, Oregon, and Washington universities. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a two-day career fair and various social events while at the Reno competition.

To attend the event costs more than $9,000 per year, said Septelka. Students raise money by sponsoring a raffle each year through the Associated Students of Construction Management. They also ask for support from local construction companies and apply for grants. The School of Architecture and Construction Management also provides support.

"We are limited in how many students can attend this annual event, but our success in Reno helps all the students in the program by the increased visibility that we get as one of the top CM programs in the West,'' she said.
The students who made up the WSU Commercial Team included the following: Andy Ward, Team Captain (5th year), Matt Arnold (5th year), Brian Field (5th year), Kim Jeske (5th year), Corey Anderson (4th year), and Aubrey Williamson (4th year).

Students from the Residential Team included Jeremy Weber, Team Captain (5th year), Lance Wiley (5th year), Steven Finnegan (5th year), Bill Wutzke (4th year), Chad Epeneter (4th year), and Ben Varela (3rd year)

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