CSU Cam the Ram in CM Hardhat

Construction Management Newsletter
Fall 2021 Recap

The Construction Management newsletter publishes twice per year, in January and June.

From the CM Department Head, Dr. Paul Goodrum
Paul Goodrum, Ph.D.

Dear Alumni and Friends,

As 2021 comes to an end and 2022 begins, we have much to be grateful for and to celebrate. As a department, we could not be more grateful for the return of students full time in the fall. This brought with it student activities and energy in the department that was greatly missed the previous year.

We are grateful for another highly successful in-person career fair this fall. Your support of our student success is one attribute that makes Colorado State University Construction Management so strong. We also celebrated our scholarship recipients and donors at the Fall 2021 Scholarship and Awards banquet. Your financial support can impact our students’ lives in ways that are unimaginable.

This academic year, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Department of Construction Management at CSU. Since its inception, the department has become more than an academic unit; it has become the foundation of the Ram Built Nation. Our alumni have not only contributed to the success of the construction industry, but they have also gone on to transform the lives of others and communities. Benefiting the lives of others is at the heart of the department and what we do through programs such as CM Cares.

As we celebrate the 75th anniversary, please see below an opportunity to help us celebrate this milestone event.

All the best,

Paul M. Goodrum
Professor and Department Head
Construction Management

Department News
Ram built 75th anniversary logo

CM’s 75th anniversary: 1946-2021 – An historical overview of CM

The inception of Colorado State University’s construction education program is directly tied to the needs of both our industry and our nation at the end of World War II.

Outdoor portrait of Steve Jaouen

RamBuilt Hardhat Award: Steve Jaouen

The Ram Built Hard Hat Award is a recognition bestowed upon members of the CSU community for their invaluable contributions to construction education. This year’s recipient is certainly no exception.

portrait of Bolivar Senior

Bolivar Senior retires from 25-year CSU career

At the end of this year, Bolivar Senior, Ph.D., is retiring from the CSU Department of Construction Management after a 25-year career, beginning as an assistant professor and, more recently, an associate professor.

Impact Spotlight
Donna Miller and Todd Miller sitting together outside

CM alumnus establishes scholarship in giving back to support students

Todd Miller and Donna Kirkpatrick established the Miller/Kirkpatrick Family Scholarship to provide assistance to undergraduate or graduate students in construction management, who are pursuing a career associated with commercial construction.

CM cares logo

CM Cares’ fall projects engage in service learning for students

Colorado State University’s Department of Construction Management’s community service-learning initiative, CM Cares, helped three more families in need this fall by making accessibility improvements to their homes.

Circle image that says Proud to Be A First Generation Ram

Celebrating Construction Management’s first-gen students

About 25 percent of students at CSU are the first in their families to earn college degrees. These first-generation students are a testament to the power of a land-grant university to provide access to excellent education for all students.

Research & Scholarly Activity
Mahmoud Shakouri, Ph.D.

New faculty member brings research emphasis in concrete to CM

After earning his Ph.D. in civil engineering, Mahmoud Shakouri did extensive research into the durability and impact of concrete and cement, including how to minimize the concrete industry’s carbon footprint.

Headshot of rodolfo-valdez-vasquez

National Science Foundation grant helps create equitable infrastructure

CM professor Rodolfo Valdes-Vasquez is part of a new grant sponsored by the NSF aiming to transform the approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion in civil and environmental engineering education. 

Mehmet E. Ozbek, PhD

CM professor serves as keynote speaker at ACE 14th International Congress

Mehmet Ozbek, was invited to be a keynote speaker at the 14th International Congress on Advances in Civil Engineering. The congress brings together current research and applications in civil engineering.

CM Fall 2021 Students
Zach Hill sitting on some stairs

CHHS Outstanding Senior, CM’s Zach Hill

In 24 hours, Zach Hill went from tired and skipping dinner to being wheeled into emergency surgery to remove part of a brain tumor.

headshot of McKenna ODonnell

CM spotlight on senior, McKenna O’Donnell

With her father as a CSU alumnus, O’Donnell started her own CSU career after attending Front Range Community College.

Headshot of Anthony Beckstead

CM Spotlight on senior, Anthony Beckstead

The Department of Construction Management is shining the spotlight on Anthony Beckstead, who is from Brentwood, California.

CM's 75th Anniversary Giving Opportunity

To commemorate our 75th anniversary, we invite you to support our department and students through a financial gift of $75, $750, $7,500, or an amount of your choosing, by supporting a part of the department that is most meaningful to you. This includes making direct contributions to our student competition teams, CM Cares, or facility enhancements.

As a University, we are working toward making improvements and growing to meet the industry and societal challenges for the year 2030 and beyond. Your support at this key moment of CSU Construction Management’s 75th anniversary will help ensure that the

Ram Built Nation will continue to do its part in improving the lives of others.

CM’s 75th – GIVE NOW

CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA