Mississippi State students from Mississippi, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas are receiving building construction science scholarships for the 2017-18 academic year.

Building construction science is a major academic offering of MSU’s College of Architecture, Art and Design. Also one of only two such studio-based programs in the U.S., its interdisciplinary curriculum in business, engineering and construction science prepares MSU graduates for careers in construction or construction-related fields.

This year’s scholarship recipients include (by hometown):

BELDEN—Freshman Ross Weeden, son of Mark and Carla Weeden receiving a $1,000 Mississippi Associated Builders and Contractors Scholarship. A graduate of Tupelo High School, he also is receiving a $1,000 Mississippi Concrete Industries Association Loyalty Scholarship, which may be renewable for four years if criteria are met.

COLUMBIA, Tennessee—Sophomore Victoria Thompson, receiving a $1,000 Chip and Jennifer Crane Endowed Scholarship. Daughter of David and Julie Thompson, she is a graduate of Battle Ground Academy.

DECATUR, Alabama—Sophomore Jalyn Wallin, daughter of Richard and Lorraine Wallin receiving a $1,000 Brislin Inc. Annual Scholarship and $2,000 Mississippi Associated Builders and Contractors Scholarship. Wallin, a graduate of Austin High School, also was honored with the First-Year Student of the Year Award for having the highest 2016 fall-semester GPA in her class.

FULTON—Senior Tanner Wallace, son of Ted and Carol Wallace, was recognized at the annual Building Construction Science year-end banquet with the Director’s Medallion. This top award requires its recipient to work diligently in the classroom, participate in building construction science extracurricular activities and be a role model to students. Selection criteria include academic effort, participation, leadership abilities, strong moral character and a concern with the sustainability of the program. For the third time, Wallace also received the Student of the Year award for having the highest 2016 fall-semester GPA in his class.

GULF BREEZE, Florida—Freshman Maxwell Kirchgessner, receiving a $1,000 Kline Mechanical Systems Annual Scholarship. Son of Douglas and Lauren Kirchgessner, he is a graduate of Gulf Breeze High School.

KITTY LAKE, Alaska—Senior Cora Howell, daughter of Jamie and Kecia Howell receiving a $1,000 Brislin Inc. Annual Scholarship. Howell was homeschooled.

MEMPHIS, Tennessee—Senior Jonathan “Jon Luke” Cave, receiving a $1,000 Brislin Inc. Annual Scholarship. A graduate of Evangelical Christian School, Cave also received the Third-Year Student of the Year Award for having the highest 2016 fall-semester GPA in his class. The son of Richard and Rene Cave, he is a three-time recipient of the award.

SLIDELL, Louisiana—Junior Evan Hodges, a Salmen High School graduate and son of Alan and Natalie Hodges receiving the Second-Year Student of the Year Award for having the highest 2016 fall-semester GPA in his class; and senior Regan Horn, daughter of Craig and Lisa Horn receiving a $1,000 Abbey Burnett Bridges Endowed Scholarship. A graduate of Northshore High School, Horn also was honored with the first Student Researcher Award. Funded Visiting Assistant Professor Mohammed Mawlana, the award recognizes its recipient’s demonstrated professionalism, excitement, energy and drive in successful pursuit of research. Horn, who serves as president of the MSU Associated Builders and Contractors Student Chapter, also received the Award of Appreciation for her willing service.

SMYRNA, Tennessee—Sophomore Hunter Bullock, son of Scott and Shelley Bullock receiving a $1,000 Brislin Inc. Annual Scholarship. He is a graduate of Smyrna High School.

WACO, Texas—Sophomore Christopher Sharp, son of David and Jane Sharp receiving a $1,000 Mississippi Contractors Endowed Scholarship. A graduate of Reicher Catholic High School, Sharp also was one of three recipients honored with the First-Year Student of the Year Award for having the highest 2016 fall-semester GPA in their class.

WEST POINT—Sophomore Jackson Bates, son of Brandon and Suzette Bates, was one of three recipients honored with the First-Year Student of the Year Award for having the highest 2016 fall-semester GPA in their class. He is a graduate of Oak Hill Academy.

For more information on MSU’s College of Architecture, Art and Design, visit www.caad.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.

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Students in the Building Construction Science (BCS) Program at Mississippi State University participated in field trips to Chicago, Ill., and Washington, D.C., in late September. These were part of an annual field trip week in which students from the BCS Program and the School of Architecture travel to metropolitan areas to meet with construction professionals, visit construction sites and observe urban environments.

Chicago: First-Year and Third-Year Studios

For the 2017 fall field trips, 39 first-year students in BCS 1116 Building Construction Studio A joined 25 third-year students in BCS 3116 Building Construction Studio 3 to travel to Chicago with Assistant Clinical Professor Lee Carson, Assistant Professor Saeed Rokooei and Interim Director and Associate Dean Greg Hall.

This group visited the following sites:

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center
Northwestern University – Chicago Campus
Hosted by: Bennett and Brosseau Roofing, Power Construction

• The visit to the construction site of the Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Biomedical Research Center provided an opportunity for students to observe an addition of a 600,000 square-foot, 14-story building adjacent to existing buildings on Northwestern University’s Chicago campus. Rob Chase, project superintendent with Power Construction, and George Patterson, president of Bennett and Brosseau Roofing, guided students on a detailed tour of the project and answered questions about the building’s design and construction. Of particular interest were the challenges of building within a confined urban site and coordinating subcontractors and specific trades throughout the project schedule – particularly in relation to site access, conveying systems and inclement weather.
  

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Chicago Testing Laboratory and Gallagher Asphalt Plant
Hosted by: Chicago Testing Laboratory, Gallagher Asphalt

• The Chicago Testing Laboratory in Thornton, Ill., allowed students to see the testing processes for asphalt and its components. At the adjacent Gallagher Asphalt plant, students observed materials being processed, asphalt production and loading into trucks for transport to sites. Vice President Jay Miller and his colleagues at Chicago Testing Laboratory and Chief Operating Officer Daniel Gallagher of Gallagher Asphalt outlined the asphalt production and testing processes.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Joliet Transportation Center
Hosted by: Joliet City Engineer, Lisa Dorothy; T.Y. Lin International

• The Joliet Transportation Center is a multimodal mass transit center in downtown Joliet. The center will eventually connect local commuter rail lines with Amtrak passenger rail lines and passenger bus routes. Discussions with City Engineer Lisa Dorothy and engineers and project managers from T.Y. Lin International helped students understand the complexity of building within a restricted site and coordinating construction with operating rail lines.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] (photos via JD Staten, third year BCS student)
Jane Byrne Interchange Project
Hosted by: Illinois Department of Transportation

• BCS visited the Illinois Department of Transportation, and students were given the details of a major interchange in the Chicago area – the Jane Byrne Interchange Project. The goal of the project is to create a safer and more efficient transportation interchange. While portions of the project are still under construction, many remodels of the bridges and overpasses have already been completed. Building construction science students were escorted through the project and shown which sections were currently under construction.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu]  UL LLC Testing Laboratory
Hosted by: UL LLC

• In addition to site visits, the field trip included visits to testing laboratories. At UL LLC in Northbrook, students observed material, product and components being tested for impact and fire as well as the labs that test them for water and air infiltration, wind resistance and other forces. Students discussed the UL Certification process with Anish Chacko and learned about the history of testing and certification as well as the important role of certification in the building industry.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Millennium Park Tour
Hosted by: Millennium Park Foundation

• Through the Millennium Park Foundation, building construction science students toured Millennium Park, one of the most iconic landmarks in Chicago. It houses the famous Cloud Gate Sculpture (the Bean Sculpture) and is home of one of the most advanced outdoor concert arenas in the nation. While sightseeing the park, the group discussed some of the logistics of maintaining such a beautiful outdoor area in the heart of one of the biggest cities in America. They discussed issues such as funding, maintenance and stakeholders involved with the decision making of a city park.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Mudd Hall Renovation and Expansion
Northwestern University – Evanston
Hosted by: The Walsh Group

• Mudd Hall is an active building for students at Northwestern University in Evanston, and it was undergoing a renovation on the top floors by The Walsh Group when the BCS student arrived. Renovating the building while it was still in use created many challenges for the team, one of which was noise constraints. The project also had many special construction constraints required for lab facilities. These unique scenarios were of great interest to the students, and they learned a lot on the topic.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center
Northwestern University – Evanston
Hosted by: The Walsh Group

• The Ryan Fieldhouse and Walter Athletics Center at Northwestern University in Evanston really interested students because of the facilities it held. The Walsh Group is completing the project that will be home to an indoor practice field with an enormous waterfront view of Lake Michigan. It was also home to many other sports locker rooms, training facilities and management offices. The project was at a great point for viewing the structure of the facility. Students related well to the project team members who escorted the group through the project.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Vista Tower
Hosted by: James McHugh Construction Company

• Vista Tower in Chicago is a 93-story, mixed-use tower that will include a 5-star hotel with 192 guest rooms, 406 luxury condominiums, parking and retail with a cost close to $1 billion. Brandon Bortoli and Joel Kuna with James McHugh Construction Co. led three groups around the jobsite, looking at four main parts:

1. Wall System: The groups was shown a wall mockup of the glass and aluminum curtain wall system that was constructed to test constructability issues and to allow the owner and architect to view aesthetic qualities. Another mockup of the same system was also being built off site to test performance issues of air and water infiltration.
2. Mechanical Systems:. Students had a discussion with the project engineers who were checking the design of the mechanical systems. They showed the groups how utilities were being brought into the building and run around the temporary hoists that are used to get people and materials up and down during construction. They were utilizing BIM software to check for clashes and redesign the systems.  The BIM software allows the engineers to visualize how all systems are coordinated.
3. Concrete Structure: The first day, two groups were given a tour of the construction of the concrete structure of the building. The morning group was able to see concrete being placed on one of the floor slabs. The group who came in the afternoon was able to see them finishing the slab. At the same time, another crew started placing formwork for the next level on top of the slab that was just poured.  This allowed the students to see the coordination of several crews and the fast pace of the process.    
4. Sales Center: The groups first looked at a physical model of the tower in its context.  Then, they were shown on a large touch screen displaying the details of the condominiums they were selling. A potential buyer can easily navigate photo renderings of the interiors, floor plans, the view from the selected condo and other information about each of the condos.  The sales center even had a full-scale mockup of one of the units including the kitchen, bathroom and living space. Students were especially impressed with the living space, which housed wall-to-wall LCD screens displaying the view out of the selected condo with options to change the time of day on the views.  

Charlottesville and Knoxville: Second-Year (Collaborative) Studio

Thirty-eight second-year students in BCS 2116 Building Construction Studio 2 traveled to Washington, D.C., with Visiting Associate Professor George Martin and Lecturer Briar Jones along with 44 second-year architecture students and their professors. The construction students made stops in Charlottesville, Va., and Knoxville, Tenn. In addition to visiting five construction sites and projects and meeting with over seven construction professionals, the students visited museums and explored the metropolitan areas of the cities to make the most of their field trip experience.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Monticello

• The students had a guided tour of Thomas Jefferson’s majestic home, Monticello (Little Mountain).  In preparation for the visit, students read a portion of Jefferson and Monticello: The Biography of a Builder by Jack Mclaughlin and conducted research of the varied building trades, tools and practices of the era.  They were additionally prepared for understanding the primary building material (brick) with an informative lecture on the history of brick masonry construction by Dr. John Beaty.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] University of Virginia Lawn Tour

• As a follow on to the visit to Jefferson’s home, the students then took a brief walking tour of the major effort of the latter half of Jefferson’s life – the University of Virginia campus.  Approaching alongside the Rotunda, students noticed the similarities between Jefferson’s home and the figural building of his academical village. They likewise observed the unique use of construction materials such as iron tension rods and the single wythe serpentine brick walls that frame the gardens behind the pavilions.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] National Building Museum

• The first stop in Washington was the National Building Museum, formally known as the Old Pension Building.  Designed and engineered by U.S. Army Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs in 1882-87 to serve veterans of the Civil War, this brick masonry building has inventive approaches to both passive cooling and handicap accessibility unusual for its time.

 National Mall

• Students toured the National Mall with a walk from the northwest corner near the National Gallery of Art to the Lincoln Memorial with a stop to cool off in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Washington National Cathedral

• A morning visit to The Washington National Cathedral included a guided tour of what is undoubtedly the last true medieval-gothic structure ever built. Construction on the cathedral commenced in 1907 and was completed in 1990.  The structure is true stone masonry construction and was built in a fashion similar to those employed by stone masons in the middle ages, albeit with modern advantages such as the use of heavy equipment and steel as opposed to timber as a roof structure.  Students were able to observe the challenges of load bearing masonry, with veneer and structure being the same element and noticed the difficulties of moisture penetration in non-cavity walls.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] The International Spy Museum – Construction Site Visit

• The (new) International Spy Museum tour was hosted by the project owner/developer JBG Smith Companies. An initial project introduction was given by Senior Construction Managers Jon Brunelle and Peter Clark followed by a tour of the construction site. Also attending were JBG Smith’s Vice President for Design and Construction Andrew Griffin and Senior Associate Bryan Chun (architect of record) for Hickok Cole Architects. Design architect for the project is Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners of London, England. Students learned about the complexities of construction in a busy and restricted urban site and the challenges of working with a high profile name architect on a high dollar value building. Chun also introduced students to the integration of various building systems and, in particular, the complex fire suppression and life safety features.
  • “This site visit was very interesting. We were taken around by the architect and contractor and shown all parts of this structure. We were told about many design challenges that the owner requested as well as how both the contractor and architect overcame these issues. It was very interesting to hear how both teams collaborated to find the best solution for the owner.” – Hunter Bullock, second- year BCS student

Mixed-Use Development Projects – Construction Site Visit

• Next, students took the Metro a couple of stops to new, mixed-use development projects being undertaken by JBG Smith adjacent to the Washington Nationals Ball Park. The tour was provided by JBG Smith’s PJ Bautista and representatives of Clark Construction. Students were introduced here to classic Washington building – tight floor-to-floor cast in place, post-tensioned concrete construction – well known in D.C. due to the city’s height limitation and desire to get as much useable floor space as possible. The students were led through condo units in various stages of construction and introduced to the punch list process by seeing a unit peppered with the architect’s stickers with correction or replacement notations.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Cannon House Office – Congressional Offices – Construction Site Visit

• The Cannon Congressional Office Building is in the midst of a several-year, phased, renovation project.  BCS students were guests of Architect of the Capitol’s Justin Kieffer. The tour began with an introduction to and presentation of the work of the Architect of the Capitol by Director Peter Mueller and members of his staff. Students received a presentation on the scope of the work and the difficulties in undertaking construction operations in a secure building that is required to remain open during construction.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] United States Capitol

• Following the Congressional Office visit, students walked across the street for a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol.  Entering through the new Visitor’s Center at the lower level, students were guided through the political, artistic and architectural history of this great American building. Upon arriving on the main level under the great dome in Statuary Hall, students brushed within feet of Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain giving an interview to reporters.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu]  Associated General Contractors Meeting at the National Headquarters

• The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) hosted a meet-and-greet for the students at their National Headquarters in Arlington, Va. The meeting was organized by Associate Director of the Building Division Paige Packard and commenced with a welcome by AGC CEO Steve Sandherr, who discussed the importance of industry associations and their current work in the development of ADG-authored standard contracts for construction. Following this were presentations by Christie Beatty (Executive Director of Chapter Services), Jordan Howard (Director of Federal and Heavy Construction), Brian Deery (Director of Highway and Transportation Division) and Fara Francis (Chief Information Officer) on the use of new technologies in building design and construction. The final presentation was by Courtney Bishop (Associate Director, Education Foundation) who informed students about access to AGC scholarships and energetically invited them to apply.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Museum of the Bible – Construction Site Visit

• The Museum of the Bible – designed by SmithGroupJJR and built by Clark Construction – was the final construction site visit of a very busy day. A tour of the museum, set to open in a month’s time of the visit, was provided by Clark Construction’s Project Manager Tara Earley. In addition to providing an informative walkthrough of this soon-to-be-completed project, Earley gave the students a valuable glimpse into the life of a young project manager and a sense of a day-in-the-life. Her professionalism and enthusiasm for the construction industry spoke well for Clark Construction and the caliber of people they are able to attract.
  • “This was by far my favorite part. We were able to see the almost complete structure and hear about the many different issues that the contractor ran into during construction. The ending product is the most technologically advanced museum in the world. Every detail of the project was well thought out and designed so that the longevity of the building could be reached.” – Hunter Bullock, second-year BCS student

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu]  Sacred Heart Cathedral Knoxville – Construction Site Visit

• The trip’s final visit was to the new Cathedral of Knoxville, Tenn., Sacred Heart Cathedral. The project was an interesting complement to the students’ visit to the National Cathedral. Unlike the WNC, Sacred Heart has a traditional (Renaissance) design by Architect James McCrery (McCrery Architects) but is a modern building. Cavity wall systems, vapor barriers, thermal assemblies, mechanical, electrical systems, not to mention modern building methods were used to realize this traditional design. Following an introduction on sacred space and modern building by Fr. David Boettner of the Diocese of Knoxville, Architect Mickey Sutliff (architect of record) of BARBERMcMURRY BMA showed the students around the site and provided stories of some of the creative construction solutions used to realize a style of design that was created using very different means in the past. The project is being built by Merit Construction.

Additional photos from the trip:

(D.C. images via Hunter Bullock and George Martin)

Activities such as site visits and meetings with professionals have a significant positive and long lasting impact on students. In addition to increasing the relevance of information addressed in the BCS curriculum, site visits and meetings with professionals provide additional reference points that faculty incorporate in studio projects and discussions. These experiences also expose students to the variety of career paths and professional opportunities available to them.

The BCS Program is committed to increasing the scope and value of educational experiences for its students by engaging with professionals; achieving this goal would not be possible without the generous time and commitment of many individuals, companies, organizations and institutes who supported and hosted BCS students during the 2017 fall field trips.

STATEments: Regan Horn from CAADatMSU on Vimeo.

Students from the Building Construction Science (BCS) program at Mississippi State University recently went on a site visit to observe electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems for an eight-unit condominium project in Starkville.

Joyner Williams, chief building official for the city of Starkville, and representatives from Morgan Construction Company guided students through the project and discussed construction details with the students.

The group will visit the site again in a few weeks to see the construction progress.

The students are enrolled in a class on building systems (BCS 3213) led by Professor Edward Kemp that is part of the Bachelor of Science in Building Construction Management at MSU.

Students in building systems (BCS 3213) led by Professor Edward Kemp recently worked on electrical wiring and wiring splices in class. See photos from the class below:

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Via Edward Kemp

Building construction science students in Edward Kemp’s building systems course (BCS 3213) visited the Guest Drive condominium project site this week as a followup to their visit last month.

Students looked at construction progress related to the electrical, plumbing and water components of the project.

They were joined by Joyner Williams, chief building official for the city of Starkville. 

In addition to observing construction progress, Williams explained the building department review and inspection process in the city of Starkville.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] By Regan Horn, BCS senior

Each year, the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) hosts a competition that challenges students to prepare and present a proposal to a problem statement in less than 48 hours.

This year, the Building Construction Science Program helped prepare a competition team to compete in the Design Build category of the competition. The team consisted of Hunter Bullock (2nd year), Regan Horn (4th year), Cora Howell (4th year), Kacie Lynn James (2nd year), Robert Montoux (2nd year) and Harrison Walker (4th year). The faculty coaches were Visiting Associate Professor George Martin and Assistant Professor Saeed Rokooei. The Lemoine Company sponsored the teams for the second year.

The Region 2 competition was held Oct. 24-26 in Peachtree City, Ga.

The problem statement for the Design Build competition was to create a parking garage that could house 1,500 parking spots, a baseball and soccer field, as well as be created into a completely new building in 10-15 years. This year’s team presented a well thought-out and detailed plan of a mass timber parking garage, impressing the judges with the plan’s innovation. 

Each year, there is also an opportunity for younger students to participate in a shadow competition. They are given a similar but smaller project and asked to complete it in one working day. The only difference is the students are placed into groups with students from other universities. The Mississippi State students that participated as shadows were Tori Thompson, Jalyn Wallin, John McMahon, Chris Sharp and Bobby Fatherree. The shadow team that Tori Thompson was a part of placed first in the shadow competition.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Via Edward Kemp

The BCS 3213 class visited the Starkville Electric Department Warehouse on Nov. 16.

The group was led by Tommy Sullivan, manager of engineering and operations, and Jason Horner, systems engineer.

While visiting, the class discussed the Starkville Electric Department’s processes and the contractor’s responsibilities of installation and energizing an electric service to a building. The students were shown many different types of transformers, meters, cabling, insulators, switches, fuses and breakers that are typically utilized by a utility company for power distribution to customers.

The group also viewed the city’s primary substation and discussed its importance and function in the local power supply.

By Regan Horn | BCS senior

Starting off a series of lectures for the Building Construction Science Program, George C. Martin Jr. (president, Construction Management Inc. of Virginia and partner, Martin Industrial Park Venture LLC) presented on the topic of arbitration on Oct. 27.

In his lecture titled, Alternative Dispute Resolution: Arbitration and Mediation in the Construction Industry, Martin discussed the other option of resolution in the industry.

Typically, BCS students do not learn about arbitration, mitigation and litigation until their senior year in the Professional Communication & Practice course; however, Martin’s lecture provided an insight into the world of dispute resolution for all BCS students.

Topics that were discussed during the lecture included what is arbitration, what are the benefits of arbitration and who is an arbitrator.

After the lecture, Martin was able to talk more with the seniors in Assistant Professor Michele Herrmann’s fourth-year studio about more detailed information on arbitration.

Martin has more than 35 years’ experience as a construction management professional including general contracting, property development, construction management and construction consulting. His construction career began with work on projects as a carpenter during school breaks throughout high school and college. He entered general contracting following completing a degree in architecture from The Catholic University of America. Initially, he was involved in estimating tasks and had the opportunity to complete design work while also serving as a construction engineering officer with the West Virginia Air National Guard.

Martin has served as project manager on a wide variety of projects including shopping centers, churches, schools, industrial, multi-family housing, medical and institutional and government facilities. Following a period of greater responsibility for acquiring new work, he assumed presidency of a general contracting firm and founded a new entity specifically focused on construction management. While continuing to perform general contracting work, he directed the focus of the business towards construction management. He currently serves as both construction manager and construction consultant for a variety of clients including utility companies (Pepco – 20 years), surety, private owners and institutions. As both constructor and consultant, he was involved in numerous claims recovery, adversarial and mediation proceedings.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] First-year building construction science students – led by Assistant Professor Lee Carson and College of Architecture, Art and Design Dean Jim West – spent the semester working on several projects that prepared them and led up to the design and construction of two tiny house frames, one steel and one wood.

The students presented their work in front of classmates and several invited guests, including MSU Provost and Executive Vice President Judy Bonner, on Wed., Nov. 29.

When constructing the concrete foundation for both tiny houses, students learned in a hands-on manner about the nature of concrete, foundation systems, construction drawings and a quantity take off. 

The structural frames portion of the project taught them about the properties of steel and wood structural frames, framing assembly techniques, job management, basic spatial layout designs and basic design decisions.

Important lessons were learned during the construction process about the value of working together as a team and communication.

Next semester, students will continue to learn about more of the construction process through further work on the tiny houses.

Watch the video with Assistant Professor Lee Carson explaining the projects:

Watch the video of two students explaining the steel frame construction process:

Mississippi State University’s Building Construction Science (BCS) Program will hold its 2018 Spring Career Fair on Thurs., Feb. 1, 2018.

The BCS program’s biannual career fair provides an opportunity for construction companies across the U.S. to meet with upcoming graduates and students of MSU’s Building Construction Science Program. Students from all years in the BCS Program are interested in meeting with employers to discuss full-time job opportunities as well as semester and summer internships and co-ops.

MSU Building Construction Science (BCS) Program 2018 Spring Career Fair:

If you require an electrical outlet for your display, please note it on the registration form and bring an extension cord. WiFi is available at no charge.

Interview space is available on Fri., Feb. 2, from 8 a.m. – noon. Please indicate your need on the form if you would like to conduct interviews during this time.

To register and reserve a table, fill out the form here.

Please contact Windie Jenkins, administrative assistant, at bcsadmin@caad.msstate.edu or 662-325-8305 with questions.

Funds raised through the BCS Career Fair allow the program to enhance technology resources and support opportunities for students. Support will go toward a variety of academic and professional events – including field trips and competitions – which reinforce the studio experience.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] The Mississippi State University Building Construction Science Industry Advisory Board met on Thurs., Feb. 1 in the Hunter Henry center for its spring meeting.

2018 Chairman Robert Robison, Brasfield and Gorrie, led the meeting, which – in addition to board members – included Interim BCS Director Greg Hall; College of Architecture, Art and Design Dean Jim West; and BCS faculty, staff and students.

The Building Construction Science Program at Mississippi State holds an annual career fair for students who are seeking internship, co-ops, and full-time positions in leading construction companies across the U.S.

The spring 2018 event began at noon on Thurs., Feb. 2 with a lunch and presentation for representatives in the Hunter Henry Center. 

The fair portion began at 2 p.m. and was in the program studios in Howell Building.

The following companies participated:

• American Glass Company Inc.
• Brasfield & Gorrie LLC
• Caddell Construction Co. (DE) LLC
• Century Construction Group
• Doster Construction Company Inc.
• Flintco LLC
• Fransen Pittman General Contractors
• Garney Construction
• Graham Roofing Inc.
• Hoar Construction
• Linkous Construction
• Turner Construction

Funds raised through the career fair allow the program to enhance technology resources and opportunities for students in their studios and courses as well as increase student participation in a variety of academic and professional events, such as field trips and competitions, which reinforce the studio experience.

For more information about participating in a future career fair, contact Windie Jenkins at bcsadmin@caad.msstate.edu or 662-325-8305.

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] (Photos by Kelsey Brownlee and Regan Horn)

On Sat., Feb. 17, the College of Architecture, Art and Design held Academic Insight, an annual event for admitted MSU students and their guests.

The event is meant to help students get a better understanding of the programs within the college and is a chance for students to meet other incoming students, current students and professors.

After a department fair, students and their guests had a chance to mingle with current students and faculty over breakfast before Dean Jim West presented an overview of the college.

After the presentation, the group split up into the four college units – architecture, art, interior design and building construction science – and went to those facilities for a “breakout session.”

During the sessions, parents had a chance to meet with the program directors and faculty while students worked on an activity meant to give them a glimpse into their program.

Students interested in building construction science worked with current student volunteers on a project and toured the facilities.

Collin Manuel (Student)

via msstate.edu | Our People

Collin Manuel first became interested in Mississippi State as a Biloxi High School student in a robotics engineering course.

“While in that course, I found I liked taking a set of instructions and making a deliverable,” he said.

Now a senior at MSU, Manuel found his perfect fit in the university’s building construction science program, which prepares students for careers in construction management.

“Its studio teaching method is a collaboration with students and faculty – figuring out how to learn on your own,” he said. “It’s an interesting and great way to teach (and learn) in today’s modern society; it really forces critical thinking.”

Manuel has taken advantage of the program’s unique teaching method – both researching on his own and having in-depth discussions with faculty – to discover how he can make a difference in the construction industry.

“A big driving factor of what I want to do is leave somewhere a better place than how I came to it,” he said, explaining that he hopes to achieve this goal through focusing on LEED standards and sustainability in construction. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world.

Because of the hands-on nature of the program, Manuel and his classmates are already accomplishing the goal of making a positive impact.

“Community service is a huge factor of we do,” he said. “We are able to knock out two birds with one stone – learning to do something and giving back at same time.”

Manuel is especially proud of projects he and his classmates have done for the Boy Scouts of America. They have helped with restorations at a camp, built kayak shelters and built a sleeping shelter prototype.

Collaborations and learning about other areas of study within the College of Architecture, Art, and Design also are an important part of the building construction science program’s curriculum – preparing students to work closely with architects, interior designers and other professionals in their field.

The college’s Collaborative Studio, which consists of third-year architecture and building construction science students and faculty, is currently working on a feasibility study to restore the old police station in Meridian.

“The building was left to rot, and as we begin to do more and more research, we are finding that this building holds more historic and monetary value than we originally thought,” said Manuel. “To see my classmates and myself performing these kinds of projects and making this kind of impact on communities – I can’t even imagine the potential this generation of students can accomplish later.”

Photos and story by Regan Horn, senior BCS student

Senior students in the Building Construction Science Program at Mississippi State University participated in a field trip to Denver, Colo., the week of Feb. 19. This was part of an annual field trip week in which students from the BCS Program travel to metropolitan areas to meet with construction professionals, visit construction sites and observe urban environments.

Eighteen students in BCS 4126 Building Construction Studio 6 (taught by Assistant Professor Michele Herrmann) traveled to Denver with Visiting Associate Professor George Martin. This group was able to visit the following sites:

• Charles Hay Elementary School (Fransen Pittman)
  • Hosted by: John White, Burns Morrison, and Jacob Miles
• Clayton Elementary School (Fransen Pittman)
  • Hosted by: John White, Burns Morrison, and Steve Gilmor
• Colorado State Capitol Building (Fransen Pittman)
  • Hosted by: John White, Burns Morrison, and Rich Mendez
• Water Treatment Facility (Garney Construction)
  • Hosted by: Jefferson Lewis and Adam Theriault
• Lockheed Martin Satellite Production Facility (Hensel Phelps)
  • Hosted by: Jonathan Couch

Activities such as site visits and meetings with professionals have a significant positive and long lasting impact on students. In addition to increasing the relevance of information addressed in the BCS curriculum, site visits and meetings with professionals provide additional reference points that faculty incorporate in studio projects and discussions. These experiences also expose students to the variety of career paths and professional opportunities available to them.

The BCS Program is committed to increasing the scope and value of educational experiences for its students by engaging with professionals; achieving this goal would not be possible without the generous time and commitment of many individuals, companies, organizations and institutes who supported and hosted BCS students during the 2018 spring field trip.

Students and others stand near the steel and concrete tiny house created as part of a two-semester construction project in MSU’s Building Construction Science program. Part of the College of Architecture, Art and Design, the program is one of only two studio-based construction programs in the U.S. (Photo by Megan Bean)

George Martin, left, visiting associate professor in Mississippi State’s Building Construction Science program, discusses the wooden tiny house construction project with students Evan Hodges and Collin Manuel during a recent presentation on the Starkville campus. Martin was among faculty and construction professionals who toured the house and provided feedback to the students on their work. (Photo by Megan Bean)

By Sasha Steinberg | Mississippi State University

Students in Mississippi State’s Building Construction Science program found completion of a two-semester tiny-house construction project a challenging experience, but the lessons learned were worth the work.

Nearly 30 students spent the full academic year working on several projects leading up to the design and construction of steel and wooden house frames.

MSU Assistant Clinical Professor Lee Carson and College of Architecture, Art and Design Dean Jim West guided students as they went through the process of designing, researching and exploring materials and fabrication methods, planning construction, and building every element of the structures. Students also were responsible for creating a comprehensive document explaining the entire design and construction process.

For fabrication, the students were split into two teams of 14 with a hierarchical structure of one project manager—West for the wood building and Carson for the steel building—as well as one superintendent and four foremen, with two or three crew members under each foreman.

During a recent presentation on campus, each student team discussed learning outcomes and challenges regarding their respective building’s foundations, interiors, and structural, wall and roof systems. MSU faculty and local construction professionals toured the houses and provided feedback the students could use for future projects.

The wood building is 8 feet wide by 16 feet long by 13 feet tall with 210 square feet of interior space. This includes loft sleeping space accessible by a ladder. The roof of the building is removable for ease of transportation, and the students built a “pop out” or extension for the shower that expands three feet and also allows for a balcony that reaches four feet out upstairs. Other features are a concrete foundation and floor, wood frame, fiber cement board siding, steel wall panels, vinyl reflective windows, metal roof, cellulose insulation, gypsum board interior walls and a V-joint pine wood ceiling.

MSU junior William H. Young of Madison, a foreman for the wooden tiny house, said the fabrication process challenged him and other crew members to work with unfamiliar materials. He credits the group’s success to its positive team dynamic and willingness to evaluate processes and find creative solutions in the face of obstacles.

“A lot of the things we were doing were pretty new to us, if not completely new to us, so there was a learning curve,” Young said. “One of the biggest things I’ve learned from this project is most of construction isn’t just about following directions, but fixing what is broken while you’re following directions.”

In addition to learning from West and Carson, the students also benefited from the expertise of representatives from West Point-based Graham Roofing and Meridian-based Glass Inc.

“Professor Carson also asked a subcontractor from Cell-Tek to show us how to properly hang drywall,” said sophomore Andrew D. “Drew” Pankratz of Taylorsville, also a foreman for the wooden tiny house. “There’s definitely a technique to it, and he showed us some cool tricks of the trade.”

For the tiny house with a steel frame and concrete foundation, the students had to build a structure that was 10 feet wide, 20 feet long and 13 feet tall, with 320 square feet of interior space including loft sleeping space. Primarily constructed of non-combustible materials, the building features light gauge steel studs, precast concrete wall panels, a glass curtain wall, fiber cement board cladding, steel wall panels, vinyl windows, a metal roof, gypsum board interior walls, plywood upper interior walls and a metal ceiling.

“If you’re trying to design this as a movable building, steel and concrete are not the choice of materials or systems, but I wanted the students to go through the process of having to use those materials because many of them had never done that before,” Carson explained.

Curtis A. “Curt” Wilson, a sophomore from Olive Branch who served as superintendent for the steel and concrete tiny house, said installation of wall panels and insulation was a tough, yet beneficial part of the project.

“Using two-inch insulation made it hard to find the studs and we placed them wrong, so that was the first challenge,” Wilson said. “Fastening the Hardie panels to the wall took two weeks, but it also was a great learning experience because of the difficulties.”

Carson, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from MSU, said the tiny house project provided a “huge learning opportunity” for the students to work together in an “intense, comprehensive environment.”

“We are really proud of these students. They put their sweat, time and heart into this project and have produced an incredible amount of work,” he said. “I believe the strength of what we’re doing in the studio classes is bringing the students’ knowledge base all the way through the design and construction process. They will be able to take a lot of this knowledge forward.”

Part of the College of Architecture, Art and Design, MSU’s Building Construction Science program is one of only two studio-based construction programs in the U.S. Learn more at www.caad.msstate.edu, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CAADatMSU.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.

Class of 2018: (Pictured, L to R): Jonathan “Jon Luke” Cave, Thomas “Alex” Gray, Matthew Harkey, Charles “Chipper” Cary, Jansen Fuller, Adam Sims, John “Caleb” Crawford, Regan Horn, Harrison Walker, Seth Gillett, Cora Howell, Tyler Bexley (Not Pictured): Johnathan Burcham, Davis Byrd, Montrel Davis, Justin McKenzie, Ky Reynolds

The 2018 annual Awards and Recognition Banquet for the Mississippi State University Building Construction Science Program was held on May 3 at the Mill Conference Center in Starkville.

A special thanks to all the alumni who attended as well as our Advisory Board members, who sponsored the event this year.

The following students were recognized at the event:

Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Region II Student Competition

An MSU team participated in the annual student competition this year in Peachtree City, Ga. The team consisted of Hunter Bullock (2nd year), Regan Horn (4th year), Cora Howell (4th year), Kacie Lynn James (2nd year), Robert Montoux (2nd year) and Harrison Walker (4th year). The faculty coaches were Visiting Associate Professor George Martin and Assistant Professor Saeed Rokooei. The Lemoine Company sponsored the team.

Each year, there is also an opportunity for younger students to participate in a shadow competition. The Mississippi State students that participated as shadows were Tori Thompson, Jalyn Wallin, John McMahon, Chris Sharp and Bobby Fatherree. The shadow team that Tori Thompson was a part of placed first in the shadow competition.

2017-2018 Scholarship Recipients:

• Regan Horn, Abbey Burnett Bridges Endowed Scholarship
• Victoria Thompson, Chip & Jennifer Crane Endowed Scholarship
• Christopher Sharp, MS Contractors Endowed Scholarship
• Jalyn Wallin, Brislin, Inc. Annual Scholarship
• Cora Howell, Brislin, Inc. Annual Scholarship
• Jonathan Luke Cave, Brislin, Inc. Annual Scholarship
• Hunter Bullock, Brislin, Inc. Annual Scholarship

______________________________________________________

Students of the Year:

One student from each studio level is selected as the Student of the Year based on academic performance. The student/s with the highest Grade Point Average at the conclusion of the fall semester receives this award.

(no photo available)
First-Year: Zachary Taylor

Second-Year: Victoria Thompson

Third-Year: Evan Hodge (second-time recipient)

Fourth-Year: Jon Luke Cave (fourth-time recipient)

Director’s Medallion:

Selection criteria include academic effort, participation, leadership abilities, strong moral character and a concern with the sustainability of the program. The recipient must work diligently in the classroom, participate in BCS extracurricular activities and be a role model to students.

2018 Recipient: Regan Horn

______________________________________________________

Thanks to Windie Jenkins and Charles Beckham for their work for this special event.

View the program.

See all the photos from the event below. (Full-res. files can be downloaded here until July 30, 2018).

[See image gallery at caad.msstate.edu] Second-year building construction science students – led by Interim Director of the BCS Program and Associate Dean of the College of Architecture, Art and Design Greg Hall and Assistant Professor Saeed Rokooei – wrapped up the year with a final project presented on April 25 in the studios in Howell Building.

The final project, which students worked on for the last three weeks of class, covered pre-construction subjects such as quantity take-off, scheduling, project management and cost management.

Students were required to perform estimation and scheduling for the major divisions, and they used software packages such as On-Screen Takeoff and Microsoft Project in their individual submission and presentation of their +44,000 sf base project. 

Via Maroon Memo | Jim Laird | Public Affairs

Achievements of the Southeastern Conference’s student-athletes are well known, but many fans may not know that the SEC’s 14 member institutions pack an equally potent academic punch.

Thanks to an innovative grant program funded by the conference, 10 Mississippi State University faculty members now are better equipped to collaborate with SEC colleagues from across the region.

Reuben Burch, Harish Chander, Hilary DeShong, Thu Dinh, Hyungsuk Lim, Mohammad Marufuzzaman, Saeed Rokooei, Colleen Scott, Andrea Strzelec and Gregg Twietmeyer are recipients of 2018-19 SEC Visiting Faculty Travel Grants. They will be partnering with faculty from Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and LSU, according to a senior administrator at the land-grant institution.

“Our faculty will be able to travel to SEC campuses or host colleagues from other SEC schools in order to exchange ideas, develop grant proposals, conduct research, meet with peers and students, and give lectures or other presentations thanks to these funding awards,” said Assistant Vice President for Research Teresa Gammill.

She coordinated the application and review process in conjunction with the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at MSU.

Each grant is for $1,000, Gammill said.

“We received very competitive applications this year, and I appreciate the efforts of all who applied,” Vice President for Research and Economic Development David Shaw said.

Nearly 30 applications were submitted for review.

Burch is an assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering; Chander, assistant professor of kinesiology; DeShong, assistant professor of psychology; Dinh, assistant professor of animal and dairy science; Lim, assistant professor of sustainable bioproducts; Marufuzzaman, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering; Rokooei, assistant professor of building construction science; Scott, assistant professor of chemistry; Strzelec, assistant professor of mechanical engineering; and Twietmeyer, assistant professor of kinesiology.

For more information about the program, please contact Gammill at tgammill@research.msstate.edu or 662-325-3570.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.