| | | 4/19/2011 | 4/19/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:4/19/2011
The student team from the McWhorter School of Building Science in the College of Architecture, Design and Construction won five out of ten awards in the Pervious Concrete competition at the American Concrete Institute annual convention in Tampa Florida, April 2-4, 2011 and took home the Grand Prize for mix design. The two student sample panels created by Jonathan Deason, Caston Smith, Joey Womack and Kaylin Baker won first and second place awards in Durability, third place in permeability, first and third place in Aesthetics. Winning the Grand Prize for mix design means their pervious concrete design will be used in 600 Habitat for Humanity’s home driveways cast across the country next year.
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| | | | 3/10/2011 | 3/10/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:3/10/2011 Building Science Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Atlanta commercial construction giant T.R. Benning, Jr. died March 10, 2011. He was 89 years old. Benning graduated from Auburn University in 1943 with a Bachelor in Architecture degree and was a strong advocate for construction education. He was past president of the Georgia branch of Associated General Contractors of America and past president of the American Institute of Constructors.
A highly decorated World War II veteran who planned and took part in D-Day, Benning co-founded Atlanta-based Benning Construction with his father T.R. Benning Sr. in 1953. Named the "Georgia Family Business of the Year" award finalist by Kennesaw State University in 2010, Benning Construction is now run by the third generation, T.R. "Ted" Benning III.
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| | | | 4/16/2011 | 4/16/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:4/16/2011
Organized by Sigma Lambda Chi
Sigma Lambda Chi and the McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University would like to invite you to attend the 2011 annual Awards Banquet and Golf Tournament to be held in April. This is a great opportunity to promote your company as well as meet some of the bright and talented students in our program.
The golf tournament will be held at Auburn University Club featuring an 18-hole championship golf course, a state of the art practice facility and a spacious 12,000 square foot clubhouse. This special club serves as the official home of the Auburn golf teams.
Register Online
View photos from last year
Awards Banquet
Thursday, April 21st, 2011
Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center
Reception: 5:45—6:30 PM
Dinner and Event: 6:30—9:00 PM
Sigma Lambda Chi Golf Tournament
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Auburn University Club: 8:00 AM Shot Gun Start
Driving Range Opens at 7:00 AM
Number of Golfers ($125 each)
Sponsor a Hole? $500 (Includes 1 free golfer)
Your company can be the exclusive sponsor for the banquet.
For a $6,000 gift, we will provide appropriate publicity for your support. Your company logo will be featured in the banquet program, Building Science newsletter, and website. Your company representative may say a few words at the banquet. Over 300 alumni, faculty, and students attend this event. Contact Grace Anthony anthogl@auburn.edu for more information. McWhorter School of Building Science
118 M. Miller Gorrie Center
Auburn University, AL 36849
Auburn
Please call Cassandra Calloway at 334-844-5314 for additional information.
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| | | | 6/6/2011 | 6/6/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:6/6/2011 Last week, four student teams from the McWhorter School of Building Science competed in the open problems at the Associated Schools of Constructions region 6 & 7 competitions held in Sparks, Nevada. This is one of the largest construction management student competitions in the nation, with over 1,100 students competing on 173 teams from 43 universities competing in 17 different categories over a two-day period. Two graduate teams, one from the design-build program and one from the master of building construction program competed in the graduate problem sponsored by the Clark Construction Group. The design-build team consisting of Grant Bittle, Allison Stanley, Jeremiah McCrory and Mark Matel placed second to Stanford University. Two undergraduate teams competed in the Building Information Modeling and Electrical problems. The Electrical team of Anne Brummett, Barkley Mallette, Nicholas Wilson, Blaire Wheelis, Andrew Roberts & Elliot Miller finished runners up to California State University - Sacramento. Please join me in congratulating all the students that competed together with their coaches; Paul Holley, Mike Thompson, Mike Hosey, Anoop Sattineni and Mark Tatum.
| | | | 2/20/2011 | 2/20/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:2/20/2011
The McWhorter School of Building Science is hosting a Construction Management Career Day for undergraduate students considering a different major to meet industry professionals and learn about construction management career paths. Students will visit and have lunch with potential employers and participate in a panel discussion with industry representatives. Sign in begins at 11:00 a.m. in the lobby of M. Miller Gorrie Center on Tuesday, February 22. Lunch with an industry-led panel forum on “Why You Should Consider a Career in Construction” will follow. Student Services will be available at 1:00 p.m. in the first floor large conference room to answer questions and lead a tour of the facilities. For a more detailed schedule of events please visit http://cadc.auburn.edu/bsci/careerdaySchedule:
11:00 a.m. Career Fair in 1st Floor Lab with Future Employers (over 20 companies that recruit from our college)
11:30 a.m. Lunch in 1st Floor Foyer
12:00 noon Lunch with Panel Forum—Construction Professionals "Why You Should Consider a Career in Construction"—Room 3003
1:00 p.m. Meet with Student Services in 1st Foor Large Conference Room/Take tour of Gorrie Center leaving from 1st Floor Large Conference Room/Continue to visit Career Fair
3:00 p.m. Career Fair ends |
| | | | 1/27/2011 | 1/27/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:1/27/2011
Construction Network Social
February 21, 2011
6:00PM - 8:00PM
The McWhorter School of Building Science Lobby
Spring Career Expo
February 22, 2011
8:30AM - 11:30AM
McWhorter School of Building Science, Gorrie Center Demo Lab
Interviews
February 22, 2011
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
McWhorter School of Building Science, Gorrie Center
If you have any trouble with this application please contact Chad by phone 334.844.8818 or chad@auburn.edu
| | | | 1/12/2011 | 1/12/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:1/12/2011
Congratulations to our football student athletes Neil Caudle and Ryan Pugh on their BCS victory. Ryan Pugh made the last snap and Neil Caudle held the ball for the last play to clench victory for Auburn in the national championship game last Monday. |
| | | | 1/12/2011 | 1/12/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:1/12/2011
Each year Alabama Concrete Industries Association (ACIA) awards two $8,000 scholarships to outstanding seniors studying concrete from Alabama programs in Engineering, Architecture, and Building Science. Auburn Building Science student, Kaylin Baker, is one of this year’s winners. The last winner from AU BSCI was Ty Malone in 2009. In addition to supporting students, ACIA supports of building education by providing awards for the concrete furniture competition, and grants for the teaching and promotion of Pervious Concrete.
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| | | | 12/1/2010 | 12/1/2011 | BSCI | Date Posted:12/1/2010 Paul Holley will receive the Associated Schools of Construction's Outstanding Educator Award at the ASC International Conference in Nebraska next April. The Associated Schools of Construction Outstanding Educator Award is made annually to a faculty member of a four-year ASC member school. This award recognizes the faculty member's contribution to construction education, excellence in teaching, service to the ASC and dedication to the construction profession.
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| | | | 7/21/2010 | 7/21/2011 | BSCI |  Date Posted:7/21/2010
The VIP Endowment motorcycle fundraiser is drawing to a close. Make your contributions to win "Fat Bob" before September 9, 2010. The Atlanta Auburn Building Science Alumni Committee is raising funds to support the visiting industry professor position in the McWhorter School of Building Science. Each two years, the school hires an executive from industry to broaden the students' educational experience. Make a contribution of $100 and be entered in the drawing for the custom 2010 Harley Davidson FXDF "FatBob" motorcycle. The drawing will take place in Atlanta on September 9, 2010. This motorcycle can be seen at Big Swamp Harley Davidson in Opelika, Alabama. To be entered in the drawing for this motorcycle, or for more information, contact: Skip Loman '81 skip1loman@aol.comThe winner is responsible for all sales taxes, tag, and document fees.
You must be 18 years or older to enter.
There are a limited number of chances available.
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| | | | 6/23/2010 | 6/23/2011 | BSCI |
The College of Architecture, Design and Construction is hosting its third annual Building Construction Camp through June 25. The building construction camp, under the tutelage of Jeremy Clark, was created to promote outreach and less insular teaching/learning environments in the building science program. This week, the nine students selected for the Academic Success Action Program (ASAP) including seven additional students are building a compost bin and picnic tables for the Boykin Center and dog houses for The Lee County Humane Society. Ten under represented students from Alabama and Georgia received scholarships from Barbara Miller and the Pitts Family, Representative Richard J. Laird and the AU Building Construction Industry to attend the camp which provides mentoring from building science professionals across the state. For more information, contact Carla Jackson Bell at cjj0001@auburn.edu or 844-4549.
| | | | 2/1/2009 | 2/1/2010 | BSCI |  Date Posted:2/1/2009
Ever wonder what happened to your former BSCI classmates? Now you can literally map the whereabouts of many of them and get your own spot on the map thanks to a new electronic option on the BSCI Web site. Just go to http://www.cadc.auburn.edu/BSCI/Alumni/gradMap.aspx and click on the pointers, which will then reveal the location of many BSCI graduates, some of whom have even provided photos of themselves. You can add your own pointer while you’re there. Just click on the "Want to be on the map?" link at the lower left-hand corner of the map to register.
By the way, while most of the pointers are located in the South and Southeast, we’ve got alumni represented from as far away as Lake Placid, N.Y., and Bellevue, Wash.
| | | | 2/1/2009 | 2/1/2010 | BSCI |  Date Posted:2/1/2009
Exceptional teaching skills, extracurricular efforts and involvement in the Associated General Contractors (AGC) and the construction industry are just few of the many reasons that Auburn’s very own BSCI Associate Professor Linda Ruth was recently given AGC’s top national educational honor—the 2009 Outstanding Educator Award.
Ruth, who is only the second woman to receive the award since its inception in 1985, was chosen for her deep commitment to connecting her students with the construction industry. She has served as faculty advisor for Auburn’s AGC student chapter since 2003 and she coached the Associated Schools of Construction/AGC Design-Build Competition Team from 2004-2007. She has also has worked diligently to secure funding for Auburn students to attend AGC’s national conventions.
In addition to all of these accomplishments, AGC also cited Ruth for her efforts on the international scene. She recently took 18 BSCI students on an eight-week tour to nine countries in Europe and North Africa to begin the development of a textbook documenting the history of construction.
But perhaps the biggest reason she was chosen was summed up in a statement by Eddie Stewart, president and CEO of Caddell Construction in Montgomery: "She’s just a very involved, very caring person who really has a heart for students and really helps promote the industry. She spends a lot of her personal time," he noted.
| | | | 6/6/2011 | 6/6/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted: 6/6/2011 The Problem:
today’s paper blueprints have a tough time on the worksite what with the constant onslaught of rain, coffee spills, sweat, wind and many other worksite "elements." In fact, they have such a tough time that paper blueprints often are replaced every two weeks, which means that important notations made on a blueprint have to be transcribed and risk being lost.
The Solution:
a joint effort by BSCI and a local business has developed a way to print blueprints on heavy-duty, moisture resistant paper—similar to the paper used to make those seemingly indestructible hospital bracelets—that results in an everlasting blueprint.
The idea took root when members of the BSCI Industry Council brought the blueprint dilemma to the attention of BSCI faculty. BSCI researchers Bruce Smith and Ben Farrow, along with graduate student Austin Walker, collaborated with a local businessman—Greg Sellers of Reprographics in Auburn—to develop a "blueprint" for a better blueprint.
The result of the collaboration is that, any day now, a new heavy-duty, long-lasting blueprint will be available to the construction industry. These tough new blueprints—called Tiger Prints— are more expensive than traditional paper blueprints, but compared to the cost of reissuing blueprints every two or three weeks, they are quite cost-effective.
This project represents the first time BSCI has partnered with a non-construction person or business, but it probably won’t be the last.
The partnership is a true win-win situation. The blueprint produced by Reprographics will help the local economy. Reprographics will, in turn, give a percent of the sales back to Auburn University, which helps the BSCI economy.
To learn more about these new blueprint options, go to www. auburnrepro.com and click on "Tiger Prints."
| | | | 2/1/2008 | 2/1/2009 | BSCI | Date Posted:2/1/2008 The AU BSCI Building Information Modeling (BIM) Project, set up to investigate the use of BIM and to get our faculty and students involved in BIM, began last year with the formation of a faculty group interested in the topic. The faculty decided to investigate in detail two software packages—Revit and Constructor—that focus on BIM and invited a trainer to come to Auburn to provide hands-on software training.
"We consider this academic year our training year," says BSCI Associate Professor Mark Taylor who is helping guide the project. "We taught Revit fall semester and are teaching Constructor this semester. We’ll decide as a group which one works best for our students and our needs and concentrate on that particular one next year."
Two students, Jordan Hand and Sam Hardie, are doing their senior theses on the subject and shared a BIM presentation at the ASC conference in Florida. "They are our guinea pigs to see how this works out," says Taylor.
In addition, the group is working with Holder Construction in Atlanta to do a case study on the use of BIM with one of their projects. Holder is the leading proponent of BIM in the Southeast. "All construction companies are exploring the use of BIM but Holder is one of the few actually incorporating BIM on many of their projects," explains Taylor.
| | | | 2/1/2008 | 2/1/2009 | BSCI | Date Posted:2/1/2008
The Associated Schools of Construction Conference, which was coordinated by BSCI Associate Professor Mark Taylor, was held in late March and early April. In attendance were 168 academicians representing 76 universities, including eight people representing three schools from outside the U.S. (England, Hong Kong and Pakistan). The conference featured a speaker from Disney Imagineering who also spoke to the more than 110 students attending the conference.
A paper on building information modeling (BIM), authored by Taylor and his fellow BSCI professors Michael Hein and Junshan Liu, was accepted and presented at the ASC conference.
Interest in the subject appears to be strong. "At ASC paper presentations, you normally see about 15 to 20 people in attendance," says Taylor. "At our presentation, there were about 60 to 65 in attendance—the room was packed; standing room only. I was extremely pleased at how well the students did and the positive reception we received."
Taylor also arranged for Chris Holm from Disney Imagineering and Drew Yantis and Paul Hedgepath from Holder Construction to speak at the meetings. Both addresses were attended by about 175 people and were well received.
"The bottom line with BIM is summed up by a quote from Yantis," says Taylor: "‘You build the project twice—do the work once.’" By building a virtual model of the project before you begin work, you are able to identify problems that often are not encountered until you begin the field work—when the solution is clarification from the owner (RFI) and often a related change order.
| | | | 6/6/2011 | 6/6/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted: 6/6/2011
BSCI, IND Students Collaborating, Inventing
Where will the latest innovations in construction industry tools and equipment come from? Possibly from ideas generated by a collabora-tive class that is connecting students and professors from the College of Architecture, Design, and Construction’s departments of Building Science (BSCI) and Industrial Design (IND).
That spirit of invention is being fostered in Executive Issues in Con-struction, a class taught this fall by BSCI Professor Steve Williams in cooperation with another class, Advanced Product Design, taught by IND Assistant Professor Tsai Lu Liu. The graduate-level BSCI class brought together nine BSCI graduate students with 16 senior-level undergraduates from IND to solve construction jobsite problems.
The idea first took root when Williams saw a demonstration at the World of Concrete conference in Las Vegas earlier this year of a new wheelbarrow handle that allows workers to dump the wheelbarrow’s contents without changing hand positions. Intrigued by the innovation, Williams mentioned it to Clark Lundell, head of the IND department, whose immediate response was “That’s what we do in industrial design!” Come up with innovative designs and products, that is.
That conversation evolved into an equally innovative educational tool—a class comprised of IND and BSCI students working together to develop new construction products and tools for potential produc-tion and marketing—and a perfect opportunity for much-wanted collaboration between the two departments.
| | | | 6/6/2011 | 6/6/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:6/6/2011
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The College of Architecture, Design and Construction is incorporating a new initiative known as Project APPLi (Applying Apprenticeship Principles and Practices to Leading Individuals in CADC). This project targets incoming minority and female students in their first year in the College of Architecture Design and Construction. Project APPLi’s selects leading incoming and summer camp students to shadow architects, contractors, and construction developers in order to experience their daily operations for one week in the summer.
Project APPLi is a great opportunity for students to explore professional aspects of these fields to help prepare for the CADC college curriculum. The apprenticeship model is one of the oldest forms of learning by doing and is a system of learning while earning. The leading students not only receive a $500 - $1000 scholarship for books and supplies but will also experience real project development on the Auburn University campus. The students submit a photo journal documenting their experiences.
Emetria Clayton (shown) is an incoming pre - building science student participating in Project APPLi and shadowing Brian Hale, Project Manager for Robins & Morton. Kena Anderson from Montgomery, AL will be working with Brasfield & Gorrie during the fall semester (not shown). For more information, contact Carla Jackson Bell at cjj0001@auburn.edu or 844-4549.
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| | | | 6/6/2011 | 6/6/2012 | BSCI | Date Posted:6/6/2011 The Master of Building Construction program, a non-thesis master’s degree program, is accepting applications for the 2008-2009 academic year and you can help!
The MBC program began in 1993 and has, during the last 14 years, enjoyed a 100-percent job placement rate for its graduates. It prepares professionals from other disciplines to transfer their skills into the construction industry by providing a comprehensive understanding of construction operations and issues. Enrollment in the program is limited in order to provide sufficient faculty support to students while meeting their educational and research goals.
We are asking alumni to refer potential graduate students who do not have undergraduate degrees in construction or a related field, but have a keen interest in the construction industry to the program. Of course, alumni who are interested in obtaining a master’s degree are also encouraged to apply.
In the past two years, 90 percent of our graduate students came from a background other than construction. Students with an undergraduate degree in another discipline, such as business or liberal arts, and trying to enter the construction industry, have found the program to be a perfect fit.
The MBC program is designed to be completed in one calendar year for students with a construction background. Students without a construction background are required to complete a series of Foundation Courses during their first summer semester. An option to pursue a graduate minor in Community Planning is also available to students.
Along with completion of their coursework, students also work on a capstone project with the assistance of a faculty advisor. Students without construction work experience are encouraged to work for a construction company on an internship basis during their second summer. Op-portunities for summer internships are available through the BSCI placement office.
Admission is competitive and based on the undergraduate grade point average, test scores on the Graduate Record Exam, letters of recommendation and the candidates’ statement of purpose for applying to the program. Upon admission, candidates are once again competitively chosen for Graduate Assistantships. Graduate assistants receive a competitive monthly stipend, along with University-paid tuition for fall and spring semesters, while assisting an instructor in his/her teaching and research agenda. Additionally, graduate assistants are provided with office space in the Gorrie Center.
Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The undergraduate program in Building Science is also accredited by the American Council for Construction Education. Auburn has the second oldest construction program in the nation and was one of the founding members of the ACCE. Auburn University is an equal opportunity establishment and encourages women and minorities to apply.
| | | | 6/6/2010 | 6/6/2011 | BSCI |
2009-2010 Competition Teams
ASC, Region 2-Heavy Civil
Ben Farrow and Junshan Liu
- Nick Byram
- Kay Douglass
- Barkley Mallette
- Eric Pilcher
- Andrew Soultz
- Matt Stewart
AGC/ASC, Region 2-Commercial
Mike Hosey
- Ronald Brindley
- (Anne) Annie Brummett
- Clinton Cook
- Anthony Cope
- Tyler Ogard
- Mallory Rice
LEED
Darren Olsen
- Robert Mancill
- Patrick Campisi
- Elizabeth Folmar
- Kurt Funderburg
- Sarah McCall
- Kathryn Crowley
- John Enslen
Design-Build
John Mouton
- Kevin Wilks
- Ryan Jones
- Jared Weaver
- (Rebecca) Becky Wilbanks
- Thomas Cotton
- Skyler Sanford
ABC
Mark Taylor
- (Anne) Annie Brummett
- (James) Britt Funderburk
- (Nicholas) Nick Reynolds
- Skyler Sanford
Graduate
Paul Holley
- Christi Hoenig
- Lynn Deaton
- Chad McLeod
- Mallory Rice
- Pax Herrin
Graduate
Paul Holley
- Ty Maloney
- Grace Harriett
- Mike Dooley
- Ben Loftin
Building Industry Game Online
- Harrison Bradford
- Chris Koelliker
- Justin Holt
Building Industry Game Online
- Calvin Moore
- Graham Nelson
- Ryan Robertson
- Kevin Wilks
BIM
Anoop Sattineni
- Ryan Jones
- Clinton Cook
- Vincent Babb
- William Pierce
- Mallory Rice
- Kay Douglass
- Hannah Shivas
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Scholarships
Atlanta Auburn BSC Alumni Committee Scholarship
B. L. Harbert International Scholarship
Batson-Cook Company Scholarship
BCIA/Stone Building Company Scholarship
Brasfield & Gorrie Scholarship
BRAWCO, Inc. Scholarship
CADC/BSCI Minority Scholarship
Comer Foundation Freshman Scholarship
CSI Scholarship
Doster Construction Scholarship
GC Wyatt Construction Scholarship
Gary R. Dent ‘70 Endowed Scholarship
- Contessa Smile
- Sarah-Ashley McCall
Gray Construction Scholarship
Golden & Associates Construction Scholarship
- William McWhorter
- Houston Bolt
Hardin Construction Company Scholarship
Holder Construction Company Scholarship
Imogene Powell/NAWIC Scholarship
James Matthew Mitchell Scholarship
- Wilford Vincent Ellis, III
- Kay Douglass Trey Crowley
- Thomas Cotton
Keith Petitjean Scholarship
- Autumn Hayes Jonathan Roy
Lance Walker Endowed Scholarship
L. Judson Akin Endowed Presidential Scholarship
- Corey Wright William Wilbanks
- James Funderburk
Linbeck Construction Scholarship
- Phillip Clift Elliott Miller
Martin & Cobey Endowed Scholarship
- Christopher Jordan
- Zackary May
McCorkle Construction Scholarship
McWhorter School of BSCI Scholarship
- Clinton Cook Brian Thomas
Michael J. Harris, Inc. Scholarship
Paul C. Brandt Scholarship
R. K. Redding Construction, Inc. Scholarship
RCA (Retail Contractor’s Association) Scholarship
R. N. Hoar Memorial Scholarship
Robins & Morton Scholarship
Sigma Lambda Chi Scholarship
Southern Company Scholarship
SteelFab, Inc. Scholarship
T. W. Mitchell Building Science Scholarship
Turner Universal Scholarship
Wesley Scott Bilbo Legacy Endowment
William A. Hunt ‘55 Endowed Scholarship
- Ben Zellner Clay Richardson
- Patrick Campisi Nicholas Reynolds
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| | | | 6/15/2009 | 6/15/2010 | BSCI | Date Posted:6/15/2009
A multi-disciplinary team of four researchers at Auburn University are collaborating on a project that will that give the parking lot at Auburn’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum a “green” makeover with pervious concrete. The initial pervious concrete placement in the parking lot took place in April.
Pervious concrete is a porous concrete that supports loads while absorbing and filtering stormwater on its way into the soil and is the focus of the Auburn team’s year-long research study on stormwater quality improvement.
The project was conceived by Michael Hein, professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science and principal investigator; Mark Dougherty, assistant professor of biosystems engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering; Charlene LeBleu, assistant professor and chair of the landscape architecture program in the School of Architecture; and Dee Smith, curator of the College or Sciences and Mathematics’ Donald E. Davis Arboretum.
The four had been working independently on various projects using pervious concrete, rain gardens and other green landscape features throughout the arboretum. They joined together to apply for a research grant from the Alabama Water Resources Research Institute to investigate the effectiveness of pervious concrete in capturing and purifying stormwater runoff. The team was awarded the grant and began planning the project at the beginning of spring semester 2009.
The new parking lot is being designed and built by a team of interdisciplinary students. Biosystems engineering students, along with Dougherty, designed a water distribution and sampling system that will be embedded beneath the pervious concrete pavement. A landscape architecture student, under the direction of LeBleu, designed green infrastructure including a rain garden to hold and distribute stormwater filtered by the paving. Architecture and building science students in Hein’s concrete structures course have planned and will execute the construction.
Those involved in the construction phase of the project will receive training from the National Ready Mix Concrete Association, and will have the opportunity to earn certification by the NRMCA as pervious concrete technicians.
Once the pervious concrete is placed, the research phase will begin with periodic testing of water quality through simulated and natural rain events on an older asphalt section as well as the new section of the parking lot. Data will be collected for one year in a side-by-side comparison study, and upon completion, a report will be submitted for journal publication. Following the study, Hein’s fall 2010 concrete class will work with Auburn University facilities management to replace the remaining asphalt with pervious concrete paving.
The Donald E. Davis Arboretum is located at the corner of S. College Street and Garden Drive. For more information about the arboretum, go to http://www.auburn.edu/arboretum/ or call (334) 844-5770.
The Alabama Water Resources Research Institute is a university-based interdisciplinary, problem-oriented research and technology center with support from the federal government that enables the program to address broad national needs and relevant industrial technology. For information, go to http://awrri.auburn.edu/index.php.
| | | | 11/1/2008 | 11/1/2009 | BSCI | Date Posted:11/1/2008
Iconic structures such as the Great Pyramids, Notre Dame and the Colosseum remain marvels in the modern day even though many were built during centuries or millenniums past. But who built them and how they were constructed?
These were questions that building science associate professor Linda Ruth’s Deconstructing Construction class sought to answer when Ruth took 17 senior-level undergraduate building science students and one graduate student on a whirlwind study-abroad trip this summer to western Europe and Egypt. The group visited 17 construction marvels with the mission of studying each structure and compiling their information into a textbook about the history of construction.
The project emerged when Ruth was searching for a textbook to use in her History and Introduction to Construction class.
"I realized that there was no textbook that focused on how architecturally significant buildings were constructed," said Ruth. "It really frustrated me."
She also realized that this lack of information hindered building science students’ abilities to study construction history.
That’s where the idea for the textbook was born. Ruth will use the book to teach incoming freshman building science students about the history of construction as well as architectural history through the framework of construction.
Ruth recruited Ross Heck, professor of graphic design in Auburn’s Department of Industrial Design, to lead the book’s design efforts. She also engaged fellow building science professors Michael Hein and Paul Holley to help with the project.
The students who participated in the study abroad opportunity went through a rigorous selection process and a week-long Structures Boot Camp before departing for nearly two months in Europe.
Each student was assigned a different structure and subsequently a book chapter. The students were responsible for researching their individual structures and becoming experts on how each was built. Ruth’s students also had to understand and explain the design and construction of their respective structures using modern technology and formats.
The 17 structures chosen for the textbook (ranging from the Tower of Pisa to the Parthenon) represent different types of architecture or periods in time. Ruth plans to continue to expand the book and she took three more students to England this fall to research and report on Stonehenge, the Millennium Dome and 30 St. Mary Axe.
Video and downloadable images of this project are available at www.ocm.auburn.edu/newsmakers/ by clicking on "AU students study, write history of construction.
| | | | 11/1/2008 | 11/1/2009 | BSCI |
Date Posted:11/1/2008
There is a new face in the main office of the M. Miller Gorrie Center, and a new accent as well, but the new man on the block is not looking to make sweeping changes in the school. He’s planning to build on what is already a remarkable program.
That new man is Richard Burt, who took over as head of the McWhorter School of Building Science in August and who is truly excited about the future of Auburn’s building science program.
Burt is a native of Princes Risborough, England, which is located about 40 miles outside London and earned its royal name because, way back in the 13th century, the then-Prince of Whales built a hunting lodge in the town. Burt grew up in a primarily blue collar neighborhood that was home to many skilled craftsmen, such as bricklayers and carpenters, and which fueled Burt’s interest in pursuing a hands-on career.
He began that career at a very early age, leaving traditional high school at the age of 16 to enter an academically based apprenticeship program as a trainee draftsman in a structural engineering company.
The program allowed Burt to take classes while also working on construction projects and he eventually became a building surveyor, a rather specific discipline in the United Kingdom that is akin to being an architect, though one who works primarily with existing buildings.
Burt explained that much construction work in the U.K. involves renovating existing, often ancient and historical, buildings rather than new construction.
"Great Britain has such a large stock of existing buildings that you need people who can understand how buildings go together and what you can and can’t do with them," he said.
While working in this field, Burt also began teaching at a local community college and was bitten by the teaching bug. In order to further his education, Burt took time off from his job to work on a master’s degree, which brought him to the United States—Texas A&M, to be exact. When he completed the master’s, he returned to England for three years, then came back to A&M in 1996 to work on a Ph.D.
Burt completed his doctorate in 2000 and was immediately hired as an A&M faculty member, working his way up through the academic ranks there to eventually become the department’s undergraduate coordinator and, finally, an assistant department head.
Happily ensconced in Texas, Burt was not looking for jobs elsewhere, but he had made some Auburn contacts. Burt was aware of the high quality of Auburn’s program through contact with former school head John Murphy, who is an A&M alumnus. Burt also visited Auburn in 2006 to learn more about Paul Holley’s successful surveying camp.
On that visit, Burt was impressed with Auburn, including the Gorrie Center, which was nearing completion at the time. He had no idea that he might someday move here; however, when he was approached by Auburn representatives to apply for the school head position, he happily threw his hat in the ring.
On Aug. 1, 2008, Burt took over the helm of the school and he and his family began settling in as part of the Auburn family. His immediate family includes his wife, Coleena, a native Texan whom he met while working on his master’s at A&M, and their twin daughters, 2-1/2-year-olds Ana Cordelia (Cordie) and Elizabeth Rose (Lizzie).
According to Burt, he feels lucky to come into a program with such a fine reputation, one that he can now help further.
"Our teaching program is exceptional. It already has in place the five things that make a program strong," he said. "It has a great facility, great faculty and staff, exceptional students, a supportive dean and an industry that is also very supportive."
That combination is unbeatable, and Burt thinks the future for Auburn’s program and for its students is bright, even with the country’s economic problems.
"We have a demand for our graduates and a demand from students who want to come into the program," he said. In Burt’s view, that speaks volumes for Auburn’s future and he is honored to be a part of that future.
| | | | 2/1/2008 | 2/1/2009 | BSCI |  Date Posted:2/1/2008The Auburn University ASC/AGC Student Commercial Competition team competed in the South East Regional Competition in Jacksonville, Fla., in October 2007 winning the Best Presentation award and placing first over eight other schools including Georgia Tech, Clemson University and the University of Florida.
They then represented the southeast region in the National Competition in Las Vegas, Nev., in March 2008. The team competed against seven other regional champions from around the country, placing fourth in the nation.
While the team was disappointed not to have placed in the top three, BSCI visiting professor, team coach and adviser Mike Hosey says, "We were told later by the judges that the top four teams were very close and that we lost to the third place team by only four points."
Team members are: Tyler Maloney, Derrek Wilson, Lauren Wybenga, Shaun Guin, Russell Glass and Kenneth Roberts.
| | | | 1/18/2010 | 1/18/2011 | BSCI | Date Posted:1/18/2010
A team of Auburn University students won a competition January 15, 2010 for the design of a pedestrian bridge that Volkswagen Group of America will build as part of its new assembly plant in Chattanooga, TN. Of eight awards given, Auburn Design-Build students won four.
Volkswagen announced the winners on Friday at the Hunter Museum in Chattanooga. AU’s first place team received $2,500. Three other teams received awards, including $1000 given by the Chattanooga chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and two honorable mentions worth $500 each.
A student team from the University of Tennessee won second place, followed by a Georgia Tech team with third.
The Master of Design Build program is an interdisciplinary post-professional graduate degree aimed at preparing architecture and construction management students for practice in integrated project teams. The program is delivered via a partnership between the School of Architecture and the McWhorter School of Building Science. Each of the five Auburn teams was comprised of two students from each disciplinary “track” within the program. The first place team members were Michael Glenboski and Dylan Cook (Design Track) along with Ben Loftin and Ty Maloney (Construction Track). The students worked under the direction of Prof. Joshua Emig.
| | | | 9/21/2010 | 9/21/2011 | BSCI | Date Posted:9/21/2010
Dean of the Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction Dan Bennett has been selected for induction into the Alabama Construction Hall of Fame by the Alabama Associated General Contractors (AGC) in January 2011. Bennett, a 1968 CADC graduate, has served as Professor and Dean since 2000. His professional expertise is the area of urban design and residential architecture, and his practice has been recognized with over a dozen state, regional and national design awards. In 1996, he was elected to the American Institute of Architects Fellows.
The Alabama Construction Hall of Fame honors and recognizes “outstanding individuals in the construction industry who are held in esteem by their peers and who have demonstrated their professionalism through active support of the industry through their civic and community involvement.” To be eligible for induction into the Alabama Construction Hall of Fame, “an individual must have served the Alabama construction industry – as a general contractor, a specialty contractor or supplier, an architect or an engineer – for at least 25 years.”
Bennett will be inducted into the Alabama Construction Hall of Fame at the Alabama AGC Build Alabama Awards Banquet in Birmingham on January 14, 2011.
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| | | | 11/17/2010 | 11/17/2011 | BSCI | Date Posted: 11/17/2010
Daniel D. Bennett, FAIA, Dean of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction, was selected one of DesignIntelligences Most Admired Educators of 2011. Each year, DesignIntelligence compiles a list of the 25 top professors and education leaders who exemplify excellence in design education leadership. This list is chosen by the DesignIntelligence staff with input from hundreds of design professionals, educators and students. Bennett has served as CADCs dean since 2000; he will retire in 2011. He will be inducted into the Alabama Construction Hall of Fame in January 2011.
| | | | 3/16/2010 | 3/16/2011 | BSCI |   Date Posted: 3/24/2010 A team of Auburn University students won a competition January 15, 2010 for the design of a pedestrian bridge that Volkswagen Group of America will build as part of its new assembly plant in Chattanooga, TN. Of eight awards given, Auburn Design-Build students won four.
Volkswagen announced the winners on Friday at the Hunter Museum in Chattanooga. AU’s first place team received $2,500. Three other teams received awards, including $1000 given by the Chattanooga chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and two honorable mentions worth $500 each.
A student team from the University of Tennessee won second place, followed by a Georgia Tech team with third.
The Master of Design Build program is an interdisciplinary post-professional graduate degree aimed at preparing architecture and construction management students for practice in integrated project teams. The program is delivered via a partnership between the School of Architecture and the McWhorter School of Building Science. Each of the five Auburn teams was comprised of two students from each disciplinary “track” within the program. The first place team members were Michael Glenboski and Dylan Cook (Design Track) along with Ben Loftin and Ty Maloney (Construction Track). The students worked under the direction of Prof. Joshua Emig.
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| | | | 7/19/2011 | 7/19/2012 | BSCI | Allison M. Floyd, McWhorter School of Building Science alumna (B.S. ’05, M.S. ’06), is one of fifteen young Auburn alumni chosen to receive the Young Alumni Achievement Award. Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Affairs, this award was created to recognize extraordinary accomplishments by alumni under 40 in their professional lives and/or for distinguished community service. Recipients of this award “must be a person of such integrity, stature, and demonstrated ability that the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of Auburn University will take pride in, and by inspired by their accomplishments.”
As Professor Michael Hein’s nomination letter points out, Floyd definitely meets these qualifications through her professional work with B. L. Harbert International of Birmingham as a Sustainability Coordinator for all new U.S. Embassy projects being built by BLHI across the world and through her volunteer and community service efforts through her church and several BSCI service organizations. Mostly recently, Floyd volunteered with To the Nations on a Honduras construction project, where she is coordinating a project to set up rain water collection for a remote village that is without water and roads.
"I am convinced that Allison Floyd is a most worthy candidate for the Auburn University Young Alumni Achievement Award. In the short time since her graduation with two Auburn degrees, Allie has become a model citizen of her community, of her country and of the world. As I reflect on my twenty-four years of teaching at Auburn, Allie is a graduate who stands above so many others. This is because of the way she has used her considerable talents to do great work and to improve the lives of others.” Hein writes. | | | | 7/19/2011 | 7/19/2012 | BSCI | The McWhorter School of Building Science graduated its first class of Army Corps of Engineers Master of Building Construction students this May. The first Army Corps of Engineers distance learning Master of Building Construction class completed its program this spring. The McWhorter School of Building Science is the sole provider of this type of hybrid program (distance and on-campus learning program) to the Army. While the first class was from Fort Benning, Georgia, BSCI now has the commitment to provide this successful program to the Southeast region.
This unique program began to jumpstart the construction training of new Army Corps of Engineers hires, who have little construction experience, to become onsite construction managers for the massive construction phase of the Base realignment and Closure-related expansion at Fort Benning. Twenty-three students began the program in summer 2009 and took twelve courses over six semesters. Nine of the courses were offered by BSCI, and three by the Auburn University College of Business. The course work was delivered on the Auburn campus, Fort Benning, and electronically over the Internet.
Alan Bugg, Area Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, recruits recent engineering graduates who do not have experience with construction and managing projects. As an Auburn Executive MBA graduate with a son-in-law graduate of building construction, Bugg thought that combining the Executive MBA format with the building science curriculum would be the solution to quickly bring his new hires up to speed and prepare them to manage the extensive construction at Fort Benning. Building science collaborated with the College of Business to put together the curriculum and launch the program.
"The custom MBC program has been an unqualified success. Dr. Burt, Anoop, and all the professors from BSCI and the College of Business deserve a huge amount of credit for helping our students become better construction managers and for preparing them for the challenges that they will face in their professional future. We look forward to working with Auburn and continuing this excellent partnership," says Bugg. |
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