Dear BCM Alumni, Friends, and Industry Partners:

I hope that you will enjoy this version of the Hardhat newsletter. While the construction industry market has acted much like our Indiana weather of the past few days (it will not make up its mind and is responding on the extremes), our BCM faculty and staff continue to maintain a positive attitude about our beloved program and the construction industry. The items in this newsletter will share just a few of our many highlights from Fall 2011.

Gary R. Bertoline started his appointment as dean of the Purdue College of Technology July 1.

BCM is proud to announce the appointment of Brad Benhart, clinical assistant professor, as assistant department head.

In this administrative role, Benhart will work closely with the department head in supporting the daily operations of the BCM program. His primary responsibilities include all aspects of the curriculum, program accreditation, student organizations and student affairs. He will also play a major role in our advisory council meetings, strategic planning, industry / alumni outreach and program assessment.

Benhart is a proven leader who will help us move the BCM program forward through his effective management skills. He can be reached at bbenhart@purdue.edu.

After eight days of competition, the Purdue INhome entry in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011 took second place overall and in the People’s Choice award.

The team is back home, and their entry is being rebuilt for the fourth and final time — this time for a family to use in the Chatham Square subdivision in Lafayette. Once construction is complete, the home will be open for tours before its first owners move in. The home will continue to be used for research as well.

After spending more than two years in planning and construction of their entry, the Purdue team spent three weeks in Washington, D.C., to take their energy efficiency message to the public. As one of 19 teams in the competition, Purdue helped give 375,000 tours to the general public, media, industry professionals and elected officials. More than 18,000 people toured the Purdue home, including Indiana Senator Richard Lugar and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

Read more.

The Indiana Council on Higher Education (ICHE) approved a new department-level master of science degree in building construction management. Prior to the approval, the BCM MS degree program was an area of specialization within the College of Technology. Because the MS degree was administered at the college level, BCM students received an MS in Technology degree.

Mark Shaurette, with the assistance of graduate students Adam Ryzak and Eric Holt, is working with the City of Lafayette on a deep energy retrofit of a foreclosed home located in the Vinton neighborhood. The Glen Acres and Vinton neighborhoods in Lafayette have been undergoing revitalization through neighborhood stabilization funding provided by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

The members of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering have been busy with research on ASHE Health Facility Commissioning Guidelines (to be presented in March), a Monon Health Clinic improvement to comply with HIPAA regulations and a couple of hospital visits. Read about all of the activities on the Indiana Society for Healthcare Engineering web site. 

The February 2012 newsletter for the BCMentors is available online. It highlights the new leadership team for the group, scholarship recipients and a spotlight on Women in Construction Management.

Read the newsletter (PDF).

Bryan Morris, a senior in building construction management from Greenwood, S.C., was the student responder for Purdue's afternoon commencement, Dec. 18.

After the address from Purdue President France A. Cordova, he addressed graduating seniors from the colleges of Health and Human Sciences, Pharmacy, Science, Technology and the schools of Management and Veterinary Medicine.

Read more about Morris and commencement:

• Watch Morris's speech on YouTube
  
• Five Students Who are Veterans - Bryan Morris
  
• IU, Purdue join forces to deliver game ball, honor fallen soldiers
  
• Commencement news release
  

Building construction management students offered knowing laughs as Belfor Restoration’s CEO reacted to the hands-on jobs he was asked to do as part of the reality TV show “Undercover Boss.”

Belfor’s Sheldon Yellen visited campus Monday (January 23) to discuss how his appearance on the television show affected the way he leads his company, which is the world’s largest disaster restoration construction company. His presentation, part of a building construction management class, included clips from the TV appearance.

Working with employees in the field made him love the company more, he said.

Read more.

The department of Building Construction Management welcomes the following companies to the Purdue University campus, February 10, 2012 for the Spring BCM Career Fair.

John Zukley of Bechtel has provided valuable assistance for the last two years to support a new industrial construction course initiative being offered to BCM students.

Zukley is the field project control manager for the Las Bambas copper project, a $4.2 billion copper concentrator project high in the Peruvian Andes. He visited class in Fall 2011 to discuss the project and provide valuable insight about working on large industrial projects overseas. He has also supported the class via online video sessions (Skype) from Peru.

Recognizing that the future of construction management will be on a global stage, FTR International partnered with Purdue’s BCM program to help students experience international construction experiences.

"This is for the students of Purdue to help them enhance their practical experience and overseas exposure," said Nazir Katbi, CEO of FTR International, which is an international contractor based in Irvine, Calif. “There is an immediate need for professional construction managers in many foreign countries. Saudi Arabia happens to be one of them.”

FTR International sponsored a May 2011 study abroad program to Saudi Arabia for BCM students. The goal was to give students a chance to shadow and be immersed in the demands of international construction management.

Daphene Koch, assistant professor of building construction management, led a group of 10 Purdue University undergraduates and graduate students on a service learning course in Costa Rica. They visited the country for 20 days in May and June 2011.

Read the latest news from the College of Technology on the TechPurdue news site. Stories focus on faculty and student accomplishments and activities as well as coverage of the college from other sources.

See the most recent headlines.

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