Professor in School of Construction named national Outstanding Educator of the Year 

Professor Joe Levens, a two-time Pittsburg State University graduate (BST ‘77, MET ‘02), has been chosen by the Associated General Contractors Board of Directors for the 2022 Outstanding Educator award. 

His work as an educator, a mentor of students, and as a colleague in the construction industry set him apart as an outstanding leader and role model for this award, the AGC said in the announcement.  

In addition to a cash award of $5,000, Levens has been invited to the AGC’s Annual Convention, to be held March 28-31 in Texas, where he will be recognized at several events throughout the convention. He also will get to choose two of his students to receive a $2,500 scholarship from the AGC Foundation. 

Levens has been active in the AGC of Kansas and served as president in 2006. 

He began his construction career with Martin K. Eby Construction Co., Inc., shortly after graduation, holding key leadership positions in engineering, field management, project management, estimating and vice president of construction operations. 
 
He is a graduate of the 2003 Leadership Kansas program, is actively involved in numerous civic, professional and university programs, and serves as the director of the Kansas Center for Construction Advancement. In October 2001, he was the recipient of the Pittsburg State University Outstanding Alumni award. 

In the latest edition of the Gorilla Connection podcast, listen as Levens shares what drew him to teaching, what he brings to the classroom, and what his students are learning. And, hear how one of his students, Zachary Bures, is using what he learned in the classroom for his senior capstone project — a project that is making a significant impact on an historic building in Pittsburg.

Gorilla Connection