The Construction Management department solicited privately-owned businesses and industries last year to renovate the CEBA boiler room, converting the building into office and classroom space for department students and professors.
This building is the result of a $500,000 renovation project planned by the University’s Construction Industry Advisory Council headed by executive director Pam Coltharp.
“We got private donations from contractors and other businesses who wanted to give back to the department, not through monetary donations, but by actually putting their own time, planning, materials and labor into assisting the growing department in getting needed space for students and faculty,” said Coltharp.
In the fall 2003 semester, the Department of Construction Management was the second largest of its kind in the country, according to the department.
“The department started with 80 students and now has about 690 students, making it the largest degree program in the College of Engineering,” Coltharp said.
On Jan.13, the CIAC held a dedication ceremony for the new construction management building. The LSU System President William Jenkins, Chancellor Mark Emmert and the College of Engineering Dean Pius Egbelu attended the ceremony.
There were 40 industries who helped complete the renovations for the new building located north of CEBA and they were all recognized in the appreciation plaque located in the building.
The donors provided everything in the building from chairs and tables to computers and the foundation material.
The building consists of a new multimedia classroom, five offices, a conference room and a set of restrooms.
Coltharp explained that the building was built at zero expense to the University or the department.
“This directly benefits the students by giving them classroom space, more computers, and breathing room to do work,” said George Hamitt, Department of Construction Managament chairman.
Hamitt said they couldn’t have done the project without students, alumni and industries.
“I like the new building,” said Jarod Browning, a construction management junior. “Now I have more space to do work.”