[045]MTSU UNVEILS COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM THIS FALL

Release date: Aug. 13, 2008


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-2919
Engineering Technology contact: Dr. Walter Boles, 615-898-5009


MTSU UNVEILS COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM THIS FALL


(MURFREESBORO) — The unveiling of MTSU’s new Commercial Construction Management concentration in MTSU’s Department of Engineering Technology will take place when fall semester classes begin Aug. 25, department Chairman Walter Boles announced recently.
“Our first class, the introduction course, has 11 students signed up for this fall,” said Boles, who added that these students have heard about the program by word of mouth or other means since the concentration has not been advertised.
“There are probably that many more students who have expressed interest and will not have to take the intro course either due to transfer credit or existing students transferring over to the commercial program,” Boles said. “I expect we will have 20 to 30 students ‘declared’ as commercial construction students this fall.”
The Tennessee Board of Regents heard MTSU’s program proposals, then approved the concentration in summer 2007.
“Current construction management programs in Tennessee are unable to supply enough graduates for the region,” Boles said. “The Commercial Construction Management program is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level supervisory and estimating positions with commercial construction firms, material manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.”
Boles added that the vision “is to become a leading program graduating 50 to 100 entry-level managers per year who would stay in Tennessee. However, our focus is on a quality program. The numbers are secondary.”
“We want to create strategic regional partnerships that will provide employers with a new source of construction management professionals,” he added. “Advantages for potential employers will include early access to students/graduates and positions on our advisory board to help guide the program in mutually desirable directions.”
Since January, a fundraising drive for the program has generated nearly $150,000
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MTSU unveils Commercial Construction Management program/Page 2


toward an initial goal of $500,000, Boles said.
“Ideally, we’re trying to get to $500,000, with $300,000 to support the recruiting of a nationally renowned Commercial Construction Management program director and a $200,000 goal for scholarships.”
Companies or individuals who have made commitments include: J.E. Crain & Son, Brassfield & Gorrie, Skanska, Turner Universal, ETIS, Orion, The Comfort Group, Actus Lend Lease, Messer, ABG Caulking, American Constructors, TDK, Debbie and Joey Hatch, RG Anderson, Hardaway Construction, The Building Group, Lee Adcock, ABG Caulking and Carden Construction.
Prospective donors can contact Boles or Jennifer Allen (jallen@mtsu.edu), development director for the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, at 615-898-5003 (office) or 615-804-5347 (cell).
Boles said nearly 50 construction and industry professionals have agreed to serve on the Commercial Construction Management Advisory Board.
“I think we have a very high-quality advisory board,” Boles said. “The (board) members are very knowledgeable of the other prestigious construction management institutions and their curricula.”
Industry leaders are touting the concept and the need for such a program.
“The new MTSU Construction Management program is a wonderful idea,” said Thomas Reed, safety director for Associated General Contractors of Middle Tennessee. “It will train the next generation of managers and supervisors. It will also help the area retain quality students and bring in individuals from other areas.
“Tennessee needs and deserves a major program in commercial construction management,” said Terry Ruppel, director of education for the Mid-Tennessee Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc., and a member of the program’s advisory board. “I want to express my support of this effort and look forward to our chapter and member companies forming strong partnerships with the program.”
Dr. Al Carter, professor in engineering technology, is the coordinator of the commercial program, Boles said.
Prospective students can learn more about the program by contacting Carter (acarter@mtsu.edu) by calling 615-898-2096 or Boles (wwboles@mtsu.edu) by calling 615-898-2776.

Commercial Construction Management fundraising commitments

J.E. Crain & Son The Comfort Group Debbie and Joey Hatch
Brassfield & Gorrie Actus Lend Lease RG Anderson
Skanska Messer Hardaway Construction
Turner Universal ABG Caulking The Building Group
ETIS American Constructors Lee Adcock
Orion TDK ABG Caulking
Carden Construction
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