CSU, Chico News

The Department of Construction Management (CM) topped their fund-raising goal of $15,000 for the 19th Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Construction Management Competition, being held this week Feb. 8-11 in Reno.

The Northern Chapter of the Mechanical Contractors' Association (MCA) recently presented a check to the Mechanical Team for $2,500, which put the CM department over their fund-raising goal for this year.

Students from the Mechanical Team and four other teams, including Heavy Civil, Design/Build, Residential and Commercial teams, have spent the last four months raising funds from industry to travel to the Reno competition. More than 45 students and faculty will represent California State University, Chico at the annual competition.

This is the 17th year CM has sent teams to the competition, bringing back wins in over half of those years, including a 2nd place National Championship win in the Mechanical Division in 2005.

"We wish the CM teams all the best in Reno at the ASC Competition," said Rick Ernst, director of the Northern Chapter of MCA. "We look forward to working with the faculty and students at CSU, Chico in promoting career opportunities within the mechanical industry."

On hand to accept the check from MCA were Mechanical Team members Kevin Heddy, Mario Solis, Roger Makishima, Shawn Cooper, Mike Seyboth, Scott Kent, faculty coach Denny Gier and department chair Mike Borzage.
Student team leader Kevin Heddy said, "MCA's contribution to the Mechanical Team is great. It really helps our team compete effectively by covering our expenses to the competition."

Faculty coach Gier said, "We are grateful to MCA for their continuing sponsorship of the Mechanical Team. This is only the 2nd year that the Mechanical Team is attending the competition. They did phenomenally well in their first year, coming in 2nd in the nation, and MCA's willingness to help them attend again is just the kind of support from the industry that improves the quality of our graduates and inspires them to excel."

"The Reno Competition is one of the best extracurricular activities that our CM students participate in each year. Students come away with a real-life project experience, and many get job offers as a result of their performance at the competition. It is a win-win event for both the students and the industry," said Mike Borzage, chair of the construction management department.

At the Reno Competition student teams from among 25 universities, representing nine states, compete in various divisions, ranging from Mechanical, Heavy Civil, Design Build, Residential, and Commercial. More than 750 students are anticipated to compete this year. During the grueling competition, students are given 24 hours to map out the process a construction firm would go through-work schedules, bids and other tasks-on an actual construction project, then present their solution to a team of expert judges.

More than 80 companies will participate in the job fair, which accompanies the competition.

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 6th, 2006 at 8:30 am and is filed under 2006 Spring.