BSCI Field Lab Manager Mike Hosey Retires

After fifteen years, Senior Lecturer and Construction Field Lab Manager Mike Hosey is retiring from Auburn’s McWhorter School of Building Science. Hosey has been an integral part of shaping the school’s service learning program, teaching hundreds of students Construction Field Lab and coaching student competition teams. He was an integral part of the teaching team that developed the service learning course that is a graduation requirement for every building science student. Hosey has also managed the Robins & Morton Construction Field Lab facility, overseeing its completion and dedication in March of 2020.

In teaching the service learning course, Hosey has led student teams in the completion of dozens of projects, working with local non-profits like Habitat for Humanity, the Kreher Forest Preserve and Exodus Ranch. Hosey’s students have built homes for veterans, helped with tornado recovery in Beauregard, Alabama, and even created a canine training course on campus.

With great passion for the construction industry, Hosey leads by example, encouraging his students to pursue careers they’re excited about. Student Richard Conway, who was on Hosey’s competition team in the fall of 2021, said that Hosey taught more than just construction, reminding his students to slow down and find joy in each day. “Mike is a sincerely fun and enthusiastic guy, and just thinking of his contagious laugh makes me smile,” he stated. Student Jared Smith, another member of that team, agrees that Hosey’s personality made a memorable impact. “He reinforced the importance of having a good time and enjoying the journey of life,” Smith said. “The countless laughs, memories and life lessons will always stay with me. He was a teacher, leader, mentor, advisor and much more.”

“Mike has been integral in shaping our “hands on” learning opportunities and developing our service learning program in the local community,” said school head Richard Burt. “His leadership has allowed hundreds of students not only the opportunity to give back to the community by providing service but also to better learn about the construction process by the doing the work themselves.”

Jonathan Tucker, who is succeeding Hosey as Construction Field Lab Manager, says Hosey has done a phenomenal job of structuring the service learning courses to where they are the most impactful for the students and the non-profits. “Mr. Mike has a passion for helping our local non-profits and teaching our students. He is leaving big shoes for me to fill!”

A construction company owner with over 40 years of experience in the industry, Hosey has been employed by companies large and small and has worked as a laborer, carpenter, superintendent, project manager and estimator. He intends to continue running his company, Hosey-Lancour Construction, after retiring from Auburn.