The outcome of the competition in the four-year school category was a shake-up from past years. California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, won first-place after finishing in the top-three in the two previous years. Brigham Young University placed second and Colorado State University won third place, its best showing in the competitions to date. Middle Tennessee State University, Georgia Southern University and the University of Wisconsin-Stout came in fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively. Newcomer Fitchburg State College was recognized as Rookie of the Year.
A special awards ceremony was held at the conclusion of the contest.
Awards Recognize Students and Faculty
In a Student Chapters awards ceremony at the Orange County Convention Center on Jan. 13, David Pressly, NAHB’s 2005 first vice president, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Beazer Homes. Beazer President and CEO Ian McCarthy accepted the award on behalf of the company.
The National Council of the Housing Industry (NCHI) Outstanding Student Chapter Awards were presented by Lyle Hunnicut, a corporate trustee of NCHI and a member of the Home Builders Institute Board of Trustees.
NCHI awarded $2,000 to first-place winner Southeast Community College of Milford, Neb., and $1,250 for second-place winner, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Both schools were sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Lincoln. Tying for third place, Texas A&M University and Delgado Community College each received a check for $750.
Jim Gronski, manager of the Division and Industry Partnership for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and last year’s Outstanding Educator in the Two Year/Secondary School category, presented the Outstanding Educator Award to Stephen Potts of Jordan High School in Columbus, Ga. Garth Jensen from Brigham Young University-Idaho was honored in the college category. Both educators received $1,200 awards, which were sponsored by Thomson/Delmar Learning.
Twenty-one Outstanding Student Awards from Builderbooks.com were also presented during the awards ceremony, and Troy Patterson, a director for the National Housing Endowment, announced the 2004-2005 winners of the organization’s Lee Evans Scholarships.
A reception following the ceremonies was sponsored by Pulte Homes.
Top Companies Recruit at Job Fair
Some 500 members of NAHB Student Chapters searching for their first job in the residential construction industry participated in the Building Careers Job Fair on Jan. 14. Recruiters from 23 of the country’s top home building companies rolled out booths and exhibits in the South Hall of the convention center. The venue also provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about the NAHB Student Chapters program and the many companies that support it.
During the Job Fair, students, faculty and industry professionals participated in an informative roundtable discussion on “Women in Construction.” Along with a Student Presidents’ Advisory Council, this new initiative was developed to formally elicit input from the association’s youngest members.
For more information on NAHB Student Chapters, e-mail Page Browning, or call her at 800-795-7955 x8918.
Photographs by Oscar Einzig Photographers
Photo of red car by Al Kamikawa
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