BSCI Celebrates Successful International Conference

More than 300 attendees engaged with the three-day event, which took place at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center. The conference’s theme was titled, “Transformative Learning Experiences in Construction Education.”

“It was an honor to welcome construction professionals worldwide to the Plains,” said BSCI School Head Richard Burt. “Hosting the 60^th Annual ASC Conference underscores BSCI’s commitment to advancing construction education and fostering transformative learning experiences.”

A rich history of engagement

The conference, hosted annually by an ASC member school, marked a significant milestone for Auburn, one of the seven charter members present at ASC’s inaugural meeting in 1965. Auburn previously hosted the conference in 1969, 1992 and 2008, and was named to host in 2021 before the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Auburn’s active faculty engagement has played a significant role in its participation in ASC over the years.

Burt is currently Chair of ASC’s International Development Committee. Ben Farrow, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and International Programs in Auburn’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC), served as ASC President from 2020 to 2022, a lockstep role that first began with his election as Second Vice President in 2015 then transitioned to First Vice President in 2018.

Wilborn Associate Professor and BSCI Undergraduate Program Chair Tom Leathem was recently elected as Second Vice President. Leathem formerly served as ASC Proceedings Editor, a role which will now be undertaken by Associate Professor Wes Collins.

Throughout the years, Collins has served as an Associate Proceedings Editor, co-chair of a faculty training bootcamp and Lead Guest Editor of ASC’s 20th anniversary special issue of the International Journal for Construction Education and Research. He was recently named an ASC Board Member.

Associate Professor Lauren Redden is Assistant Director for ASC Region 2, which focuses on the southeastern United States.

And former BSCI faculty members Frank M. Orr, John Mouton and John Murphy all served terms as ASC President.

This year’s event brought further recognition to BSCI faculty. Farrow was inducted into the inaugural class of the ASC Academy of Fellows, which recognizes faculty of ASC member schools who have attained distinction in the areas of construction education and/or research. Collins, Redden and former BSCI faculty April Simons received the Best Journal Paper Award for their paper titled, “Sitework Knowledge for Entry-Level Construction Professionals: Academic and Industry Perceptions.” Amna Salman, Assistant Professor and recent graduate of BSCI’s PhD in Building Construction, was elected to serve as the Vice Chair of ASC’s Research Committee.

Planning for success

In late 2018, Auburn Building Science submitted a bid to host the 2021 ASC Conference, but when ASC shifted to a virtual format due to the pandemic, BSCI’s hosting duties were deferred until 2024.

Brandon Clarke, BSCI Administrator of Academic Programs, oversaw the day-to-day planning efforts in collaboration with Burt, Farrow, Leathem and numerous faculty, staff and students.

“While initial planning was in place, we reworked a lot of aspects of the conference,” Clarke said. “We wanted to showcase new and notable facilities within BSCI and across campus, focus on what we do best as a program and evaluate ways to improve attendee experience.”

One such effort was the addition of a conference app, which allowed for streamlined communication and enhanced attendee engagement. Users were not only able to view the conference schedule and speaker, attendee and sponsor information, but any logistical changes could be made in real-time and communicated to attendees via a push notification.

The event was supported by a total of ten sponsors, which provided BSCI with the flexibility to create a robust experience.

Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie, founded by M. Miller Gorrie, was a Signature sponsor. BSCI’s M. Miller Gorrie Center, named in Mr. Gorrie’s honor, served as a hub for pre-conference activities.

Gold-level sponsors included Holder Construction, Procore and Robins & Morton, namesake of the Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab. The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Alabama, the Construction Management Association of America, Fulcrum Construction and JE Dunn Construction supported the event at the Silver level. Bronze-level sponsors included Dunn Building Company and Linbeck.

“We are beyond grateful for our amazing conference sponsors and aimed to integrate them seamlessly into the event,” Clarke expressed. “Their support was recognized on event signage and within the conference app, and they were also provided opportunities to engage on a personal level with conference attendees through the evening conference activities. We believe it’s crucial for sponsors to not only meet our attendees but also forge genuine connections and cultivate meaningful relationships with them.”

A packed schedule

The event kicked off with pre-conference activities on Wednesday, April 3, including a doctoral forum, board meeting, workshops and welcome reception. Workshops focused on four transformative learning opportunities central to Auburn’s curriculum: Engaged Active Learning, Study Abroad, Digital Media Production and Service Learning. Sessions were led by Associate Professor Eric Wetzel, Professor Scott Kramer, Professor Paul Holley and Senior Lecturer Jonathan Tucker, respectively.

The conference officially opened on Thursday, April 4, a day filled with a keynote address, networking, paper sessions, awards and regional meetings. On Thursday evening, attendees had the option to choose their preferred end-of-day activity: either a tour and tasting event at the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center or a walking tour of downtown Auburn, led by Farrow, Holley and Associate Professor Alan Bugg.

Friday’s schedule offered attendees a robust agenda as well, including a networking breakfast hosted by Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Honor Society, paper sessions and a closing reception and celebration banquet.

During his keynote address, Eddie Stewart, a national leader in the construction industry, reiterated the conference’s theme, sharing insights into the significant role that student experience plays in preparing graduates for success in industry. He highlighted the importance of competition teams and Service Learning, both of which are hallmarks of Auburn’s program. Stewart emphasized how these experiences provide students with valuable opportunities to engage with real-world projects and issues.

A founding member of Montgomery-based Caddell Construction, Stewart served in various roles throughout his 40-year career with the company, including Vice President of Estimating and Purchasing, Executive Vice President, President & Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer. He stepped down as CEO upon his retirement at the end of 2023 but remains engaged with the company as Chairman.

Stewart is past president of AGC and currently serves on the Board of Directors for AGC’s Education and Research Foundation, the Georgia Tech School of Building Construction Advisory Board and BSCI’s Construction Industry Fund Board. He was inducted into the Alabama Construction Hall of Fame in 2020 and the National Academy of Construction in 2018.

One for the books

Despite the extensive planning involved and challenges posed by the pandemic, BSCI’s efforts proved worthwhile as feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Faculty and industry attendees alike commended the event’s organization, organic networking opportunities and enriching content of the keynote speech and paper sessions.

“Auburn Building Science were great hosts to construction educators and industry members from around the world,” shared Matthew Reyes, Associate Professor of Construction Science at the University of Oklahoma. “The campus and the surrounding town are beautiful, and I enjoyed getting to walk around and take it in. As a faculty member, it was great to network with faculty from other universities and hear what they are working on and the creative things they are doing in the classroom. Learning new things from my peers is always the most fruitful part of ASC’s annual conference.”

Industry attendee David Gunderson agrees, praising both the content of the conference and the Auburn experience. Gunderson serves as National Field Learning and Development Manager for Swinerton, which provides commercial construction and construction management services throughout the United States.

“The 60^th Annual ASC International Conference, hosted by Auburn University, was an outstanding experience!” Gunderson expressed. “From the eagle flight in Jordan-Hare Stadium at the Wednesday evening welcome reception, and Eddie Stewart’s keynote address Thursday morning, to the ASC awards banquet Friday evening, this year’s event was well orchestrated by the Auburn team.”