Construction Management Newsletter
Spring 2022 Recap
The Construction Management newsletter publishes twice per year, in January and June.
Dear Alumni and Friends,
The past academic year was one of milestones for the Department of Construction Management at Colorado State University. We returned to being fully in person in the classroom, at student competitions, and for numerous activities that impacted our community and the construction industry. Below, you will find multiple stories describing our students’ and faculty’s impact. We also continue to have great pride in the accomplishments of our alumni who help shape the direction of our industry.
This year, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Department of Construction Management at CSU. To mark the occasion, the department faculty and staff and our Professional Advisory and Development Board convened at Canvas Stadium to both celebrate our graduating students and welcome them as alumni.
To help us continue our success, we invite you to commemorate our 75th anniversary through a financial gift of $75, $750, or $7,500 to support a part of the department that is most meaningful to you. Your direct contributions help to advance programs such as our student competition teams and CM Cares or provide enhancements to our capital facilities. Your support 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. Thank you for all you do!
All the best,
Paul M. Goodrum
Professor and Department Head, Construction Management
CM welcomes the spring class of 2022 to the Ram Built Nation
In April, the department continued celebrations for its 75th anniversary with a gathering of faculty, staff, alumni, industry, and students to welcome this spring’s Class of 2022 to the Ram Built Nation.
CM relaunches new-and-improved certificate program
In September 2021, the Department of Construction Management re-launched its Certificate Program, after it was placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Faculty member named to serve as next Heavy Construction Chair
This spring Associate Professor Chris Harper was named the new Heavy Construction Chair. Supported by industry partners, Harper will equip students to lead infrastructure construction.
Women in CM summer institute engages 14- to 18-year-old high schoolers
Hosted by CSU’s Department of Construction Management, the annual summer institute was held June 7-11 on the CSU campus. Twenty-two high school-aged girls attended this year’s camp.
Construction Management’s CM Cares supports local communities
Just in time for Earth Day 2022, the CM Cares Program delivered 10 garden boxes to families in two Denver neighborhoods that are in a food desert — an urban area without abundant sources of affordable fresh food.
Professor Mehmet Ozbek amplifies impact of the Joseph Phelps Endowed Chair
CM Professor Mehmet E. Ozbek, who was named the department’s Joseph Phelps Endowed Chair last summer, had a busy and productive year of teaching, research, and service with international impact.
CM student teams participate in annual competitions
Students participated in annual national and regional competitions early in the 2022 spring semester.
Faculty, staff, and alumni among CHHS award recipients
CM is proud to announce winners among the College of Health and Human Sciences All-College Awards.
CM recognizes faculty and staff awards and milestones
The department celebrates excellence, honors accomplishments, and applauds years of service to CSU.
Sustainability grant funds CM and economics faculty to develop new course
John Killingsworth partnered with faculty from the Department of Economics to earn a 2022 Sustainability Curriculum Innovation grant.
Faculty research: mental health and well-being among craft professionals
Mohammed Hashem Mehany is addressing concerns about construction workers’ mental health through research and programs.
CM faculty and students are recognized for diverse research activities
Multiple CM faculty and graduate students are earning accolades working with national, industry, and state agencies on funded research grants.
Matt Betts (’06) tackles complex projects across the region
Betts has advanced at JE Dunn Construction from project engineer to vice president, leading regional and national operations training.
Jennifer Lauritzen (’97) seeks to drive industry change for the better
Alumna uses her CSU education to thrive in work and play, applying creativity, problem-solving, and her sense of adventure .
CM twins (’00) continue a 70-year family tradition in construction
Ryan and Aaron Neighbors found their way to CSU, which equipped them to return to their native Kansas and family business.
School of Education and CM doctoral graduate student spotlight
After working for India’s largest construction company, Manideep Tummalapudi (’22) came to CSU’s interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Education, Equity, and Transformation with a focus on Construction Management.
Outstanding CM graduate’s 20-year journey from high school dropout to degree
Peter Hodgkins overcame the odds to reach graduation after dropping out of high school in ninth grade and overcoming the life challenges of becoming a father to twins, and losing his own father.
CM senior spotlight: Eryn Dominguez
When Eryn Dominguez was unsure of what she wanted to study, her father suggested the construction management program at CSU. She found a passion for the industry as she learned more about construction management.
We invite you to support our department and students through a financial gift of $75, $750, or $7,500 that commemorates our 75th anniversary 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 the improvements and growth to meet 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.