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Mix Masters: At a UW lab, students are testing ways to give concrete a solid future.

Nestled in a former airplane hangar in the sprawling former Navy base at Magnuson Park, construction and engineering students from the University of Washington stress-test recipes for concrete—one of the world’s most used substances. Made with a combination of cement, water and aggregates, some type of concrete has been produced by every civilization since the Babylonians. Now, university students are joining in the centuries-long quest to refine and perfect this essential material at the University of Washington Center for Education and Research in Construction (CERC).

Dr. Fred Aguayo, who joined the faculty of the College of Built Environments in 2021, is the director of the Construction Methods and Concrete Materials Laboratory (which Aguayo has dubbed CM2L), as well as an assistant professor with the Department of Construction Management and an adjunct assistant professor with the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. You could say he enjoys watching cement “dry”—but of course he’s heard that one before. Since joining the UW, it’s his expertise in the field that has allowed more of a focus into concrete and its potential.

Read the full feature at UW Magazine

Paving the way: Our next generation of women construction leaders

Women in Construction Week is a time to celebrate and raise awareness of women’s contributions to this traditionally male-dominated industry. At the University of Washington, a dynamic cohort of women majoring in construction management within the College of Built Environments are embarking on their journey to enter the construction industry. Their vision, leadership, and determination serve as inspiring examples to other young women considering majoring in CM.

Darlene Septelka, professional teaching fellow in the UW Department of Construction Management, interviewed five women undergrads to share their stories. Meet McKayla Burke, Catherine Dang, Casey Lawler, Rachel Ly, and Frances Ouyang and learn about their journey to the CM major and their internship and extracurricular pathways.

Read the full story at the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce

PDF of Women in Construction issue.

Dawgs Victorious at ASC Region 6&7 Reno Competition

Emerging from a competitive field of nearly 1400 their peers in an open national competition, the Sustainable Building team snagged the first place trophy in the ASC Region 6&7 Reno Competition, edging out Cal Poly and the University of Florida. 55 universities from 22 states were represented by student teams.

According to the pre-problem statement by the Sustainable Building competition sponsor, Skanska,  “In keeping with the goal to drive green thinking into our culture and ways that we work, this problem is meant to show you how jobsites are changing to be more sustainable and resilient, how the construction industry is lessening the negative impact it has on the environment. Teams will focus on construction means and methods this year through the lens of multiple Skanska projects.”

The six-student team completed a problem submission the first full day of the competition and then presented before an industry panel on the second day. Their innovation, the Talkzall, would create a safe, durable real-time translation solution for workers on a construction site. Their presentation received a standing ovation from the industry jurors. The Sustainable Building team was guided by faculty coach Amos Darko.

Sustainable Construction Team. Top row left: Toby Sin Hang Hung, Casey Lawler, Oleh Fylyk; Bottom row: Faculty Coach Dr. Amos Darko, Ben Olliffe (Captain), Alex Hasenstab (Co-Captain). Not pictured: Wesley Olive. Devin Schug (alternate)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The UW students were active participants in all the events at Reno. From the opening night welcome dinner to the robust career fair to the awards ceremony, they showed up in full force in their purple UW shirts,” said Carey Smith, CM faculty coach for the Integrated Project Team. “There were many UW CM program alumni “in the house” at the Reno competition. You could be sure there would be several rooting for the Husky teams in each of the individual events.”

Junior Rachel Ly served as an alternate for the UW Commercial team and participated in the alternate competition, in which alternates from participating schools are brought together to compete in a 10 hour case study of a problem statement. Of the 344 alternate students at the competition, Rachel was one of two awarded Outstanding Student in the alternate competition.

Rachel Ly (left) awarded Outstanding Student

Also wearing purple were UW’s Commercial team, coached by David Salzer, Design-Build coached by Darlene Septelka, and Heavy Civil and Mixed-Use, coached by Giovanni Migliaccio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(left) Alex Hasenstab, Ben Olliffe (Captain), Casey Lawler, Oleh Fylyk, Wesley Olive, Toby Sin Hang Hung.

 

 

 

CM Transfer Students Receive Andrew Eker and Mary Hughes Endowed Scholarship

Transfer students in the UW Construction Management program are automatically considered for the need-based Andrew Eker and Mary Hughes Endowed Scholarship. When the e-mail arrives that they’ve been granted the scholarship, they may have to double check that it’s real!

Donors Andrew Eker and Mary Hughes are familiar with the heavy lift transfer students face starting at UW; Andrew was a transfer student to the program before he earned a BS in Building Construction. Although they are now based in Alaska, Andrew and Mary carve out time to connect with the student recipients when they are in Seattle and were able to meet two students earlier this month.

Continue reading “CM Transfer Students Receive Andrew Eker and Mary Hughes Endowed Scholarship”

CM Senior Jacob Bess wins AGC CLC Scholarship

The Associated General Contractors AGC Education and Research Foundation is proud to announce that this year’s Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Scholarship was given to Jacob Bess, a senior in the Construction Management program at the University of Washington. Jacob’s dedication to his studies and his active involvement in various industry-related organizations are a testament to his commitment to excellence.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Jacob serves as the Vice-President of the American Concrete Institute student chapter and is a member of the UW AGC student chapter. He is also a tenacious competitor in NECA’s Electric Competition, showcasing his passion for innovation and expertise in the field.

While diligently completing his studies, Jacob also wears the hat of a Facilities Technician at the Bush School and is a skilled carpenter in his own LLC. This multi-faceted approach to his education and career demonstrates Jacob’s exceptional work ethic and his ability to balance academics with practical experience.

Recently, Jacob had the honor of attending the 2023 CLC Leadership Development Conference in Vancouver, Washington. There, he had the opportunity to address the attendees and share firsthand the profound impact the CLC Scholarship has had on his personal and professional journey in the construction industry.

Jacob Bess, member of the class of 2024

Husky 100: Ari Lazowski

Ari Lazowski, B.S. Construction Management; B.S. Real Estate Class of 2023

“People don’t always associate construction and compassion– but my path at UW has been built on both. Construction is the possibility of new worlds, those worlds are more promising through ripples of kindness, perseverance, and community. I believe UW has strengthened my faith in all of these, guiding my path forward.”