Indiana State University Newsroom

A team of six students from the construction management program at Indiana State University won second place recently in a design-build competition sponsored by McCarthy Construction.

Their project involved development of a design-build proposal for an urban mixed-use development. Architectural presence and energy efficiency were key concerns in the design.

The competition took place Oct. 15-18 during the Associated Schools of Construction Region 3 conference for faculty and student development in Downers Grove, Ill. The Indiana State team competed against five other programs in the six-state region and took home a trophy and $750.

"Student competitions have become an important part of the conference," said Lee Ellingson, associate professor in the department of built environment at Indiana State. "The competitions provide students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in school to simulated but realistic working conditions."

Each team is given a problem early in the morning and must submit a solution 16 hours later. Team members make a presentation to the sponsoring construction company the next day.

The Indiana State team consisted of seniors Schuyler Hand of Versailles, Ky.; Ashley McCauley of Holton; Clinton McKee of Marshall, Ill.; Ben Schitter of Jasper; and Andrew Smith of Jasper; and Stuart Leopold of Carmel. Ellingson and Joe Eckerle, an instructor in the department of built environment, served as faculty advisors.

Indiana State's construction program also fielded a team in the preconstruction competition, which was open to any construction program in the United States. The preconstruction team did not win or place but presented very well, Ellingson said.

The Center for Experiential Learning at ISU made student participation in the conference possible by providing two grants.

Photo: http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-BtVST6x/0/2X/i-BtVST6x-2X.jpg - An Indiana State University team captured second place in a design-build completion during the Associated Schools of Construction Region 3 conference in Downers Grove, Ill.

Contact: Lee Ellingson, associate professor, department of built environment, College of Technology, Indiana State University, 812-237-3372 or lee.ellingson@indstate.edu