Colorado State University’s Department of Construction Management was honored with awards from the Associated Schools of Construction, the professional association of construction educators and industry practitioners working together for the development and advancement of construction education. The ASC Annual International Conference was to be held April 16-19 in Liverpool, England. However, it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to having sessions in which peer-reviewed proceeding articles are presented at the conference, a number of awards are given to construction management faculty. Due to the conference cancellation, award announcements were shared vie a-mail. CSU faculty did incredibly well by receiving multiple awards representing different accomplishments with respect to teaching, research, and service.
ASC Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Gehrig, Ph.D.
This award is being presented posthumously. Gehrig passed away December 8, 2019.
The Associated Schools of Construction ASC Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to an individual who has made significant lifelong contributions to construction education. It recognizes the exemplary efforts of individuals who have worked throughout their career to develop and advance construction education through sharing of ideas/knowledge, inspiration, guidance and/or the promotion of excellence in curricula, teaching, research and service.
Gary Gehrig was a professor in the CM department for nearly twenty years from 1976-1996. CSU Construction Management’s Interim Department Head, Mehmet Ozbek, Ph.D., stated, “Dr. Gehrig has earned his place in the history of our department among a few other leaders who made everlasting contributions and helped us become who we are now. His contributions to our department are summarized in our department’s history book: ‘Dr. Gehrig broadened exposure of the program nationally and internationally, strengthening the master’s program, and fostered greater industry involvement.’”
ASC Regional Outstanding Educator Award: Region 6: Mehmet E. Ozbek
The Associated Schools of Construction ASC Regional Outstanding Educator Award recognizes the faculty member’s contribution to construction education, excellence in teaching, national/international service to the Associated Schools of Construction, and dedication to the construction profession.
Mehmet E. Ozbek is an associate professor and interim department head for the CM program. He has served as an associate editor for the ASC International Journal of Construction Education and Research since January 2018. Throughout his career, he has been committed to deep engagement with construction students at all levels through advising, coaching and mentoring. Described by one nominator, “Dr. Ozbek is an outstanding teacher and mentor, impactful and innovative researcher, and has long served in support of the department, college, and university, and dedication to the construction profession.”
ASC Regional Teaching Award: Region 6: Jeff Wilkes
The Associated Schools of Construction ASC Regional Teaching Award recognizes the faculty member’s contribution to construction education, excellence in teaching, service to the Associated Schools of Construction, and dedication to the construction profession.
Jeff Wilkes is a senior instructor and joined the CM department in 2014. In addition to having taught several courses across the curriculum, he also serves as the ASC competition coordinator for the department and faculty coach for the ASC Heavy Civil competition team.
One of his many strengths is his desire to make course content interesting and accessible to all of our students. His years of industry prior to his transition to academics permeates everything he does. One nominator wrote, “He is an incredibly skilled life-long learner who is always trying to help our department improve everything from the content of the courses we teach, to how we approach delivering the material to our students, to going above and beyond to provide opportunities for our students to explore and increase their knowledge outside of the classroom.”
CM graduate student Srijesh Pradhan and Assistant Professor Erin Arneson were recognized with the ASC Proceedings Best Paper Award – Runner up for their paper, “How Construction and Capital Resource Availability Drive Regional Post-Disaster Housing Reconstruction.”
The Department of Construction Management is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
