PSU construction students score national scholarships 

  Friday, May 21, 2021 12:00 AM
  News, Science and Technology, Academics

Pittsburg, KS

Of the national construction scholarships awarded by four leading industry organizations — the Builders’ Association and the Association of General Contractors — 31 Pittsburg State University students came away with the most, to the tune of $56,600.  

An additional $70,000 by the Pitt State Construction Alumni Association awarded this spring means Pitt State students have received a total of $126,600 in scholarships. 

To be eligible for the industry organization scholarships, students must attend a school with a construction or engineering program accredited by ACCE or ABET. 

“It speaks very well of our program in terms of students being prepared,” said Joe Levens, professor in the School of Construction. “Students who choose Pitt State for their construction degree not only get a superior education, they have incredible internship opportunities and the chance to land scholarships like these.” 

Pitt State students also have an advantage that larger schools often don’t have. 

“We know each of them well enough to be able to write letters of recommendation for them,” Levens said. “We inform them early in the year — in September — on how to complete the applications and when the deadlines are.” 

Of the 27 scholarships given nationally by the Builders’ Association Foundation, nine were awarded to Pitt State students, with the remainder going to students at other universities in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa.  

Of the nine scholarships given in Kansas by the AGC of America Foundation, seven were awarded to Pitt State students. 

Eleven Pitt State students were awarded scholarships by the National Association of Women in Construction Wichita Chapter, and four Pitt State students were awarded scholarships by the Mechanical and Sheet Metal Contractors of Kansas.  

“It makes us feel pretty good,” Levens said. 

Builders’ Association Foundation scholarship recipients: 

Bill Corlett, Tyson Stites, Easton Roth, Caleb Pahl, Trent Fair, Marcelo Neufeld, Zach Bures, Blaine Boudreaux, and Michael Marinakis. 

AGC Education & Research Foundation scholarship recipients: 

Riley Bingham (Robert Conley Scholarship), Trenton Fair (AGC of America-Construction Leadership Council Scholarship), Grace Gibson (Byron & Janice Farrell Scholarship), Austen Hunt (David & Ruth Dando Scholarship), Marcelo Neufeld (AGC Education & Research Foundation Scholarship), Patrick Pennock (AGC of America-Consulting Constructors Council Scholarship), and Easton Roth (AGC of America – Consulting Constructors Council Scholarship). 

N.A.W.I.C. Wichita Chapter Scholarship recipients: 

Austen Hunt, Easton Roth, Emerson Cochran, Ismael Rosas, Jack McGavran, Jeremy Berg, Marcelo Neufeld, Michael Hoffmann, Taylor Griffith, Trenton Fair, and Tyson Stites. 

Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors of Kansas Scholarship recipients: 

Trenton Fair, Michael Hoffman, Carlos Mendoza Montes, and Marcelo Neufeld. 

Top 50 

The news came at the same time the School of Construction was chosen for having one of the Top 50 Construction Management Degree programs in the U.S. by Intelligent.com. 

The comprehensive guide evaluates curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. 

The scoring also looks at student engagement, potential return on investment, and third-party evaluations. Data shows students who pursue a degree at one of the Top 50 schools can expect to gain employment much more quickly than candidates without a degree. 

Learn more 

Choose from among six majors in the School of Construction:  

• Construction Engineering Technology 
• Construction Management 
• Construction Technology (BAS, 2+2) 

• Electrical Technology 
• Environmental and Safety Management 
• Interior Design 

Learn more by calling the school at 620-235-6555 or visiting pittstate.edu/construction