Quoin Fall 2014

b s ci vo l u m e 2 4 fal l 2 0 1 4

the newsletter of the m c whorter school of building science in the college of architecture, design and construction at auburn university

master of building construction’s new look

HARD HATS & HIGH HEELS

news notes faculty positions open The McWhorter School of Building Science at Auburn University is currently seeking applications to fill two, full-time tenure track Assistant/Associate Professor positions. These positions will be available effective August 16, 2015. We seek candidates who have the desire and potential to be great teachers and who possess significant relevant industry experience. Applicants should be prepared to teach in areas of Construction Estimating and Pre-construction Services, and also in one or more of the following areas: Scheduling, Project Management, Contracting Business, and Project Delivery. Salary will be based on a nine-month academic year appointment.

For complete information visit: cadc.auburn.edu/explore-cadc/resources/careers.

loman construction donates 3D printer Building science students and faculty now have a 3D printer to assist them with their projects thanks to the generosity of Skip Loman, owner and president of Loman Construction, LLC in Woodstock, Georgia. This state-of-the-art technology will be used by both building science faculty and students to make tangible objects out of digital models.

“Skip’s generosity is very timely to me,” says Darren Olsen, Associate Professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science, who is currently working on an invention that has industry interest.

“I will be developing the next prototype using this 3D printer.”

Loman, a 1981 Building Science alumnus, is a longtime friend and supporter of the McWhorter School of Building Science, serving on the Industry Advisory Council. He has twice received the School’s Distinguished Service Award (2006 and 2008).

He is also on the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Executive Board and is a CADC Dean’s Club member.

“I’m happy to do this for Building Science,” says Loman. “It was a tangible need and will plant seeds for future success.”

please send us your news The McWhorter School of Building Science alumni are achieving great things professionally and personally. Please email cadc.communications@auburn.edu with your news.

Send us news and photos of your professional successes (promotions, awards, etc.) and personal news (marriage, births, personal accomplishments, etc.), and we will include it in the next issue of the Quoin.

cadc studio collaboration yields license agreement with knack, llc Knaack, LLC, a leading manufacturer of jobsite security and storage equipment, has signed a license agreement with the College of Architecture, Design and Construction for the design and know-how associated with the Jobsite Storage Unit developed in a Fall 2011 studio collaboration between the McWhorter School of Building Science and what was then the Department of Industrial + Graphic Design. The project was designed by then Industrial Design student Nickolas Madsen, Industrial Design Professor Tsailu Liu, who is now head of the Department of Industrial Design at North Carolina State University, Building Science Professor Paul Holley and Mike Thompson, a visiting industry professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science. The focus of the project was better drawer design and placement for gang boxes used on construction sites. It is now marketed as Knaack’s “Jobsite Chest with Junk Trunk.”

The CADC and Auburn University will receive a modest royalty over the next three years.

For more, go to: http://www.auburnccic.org/portfolio-page/.

building science alum helps local family “fix it and finish it” Holland Homes, a construction company started by Auburn graduates Daniel Holland and Robert Melvin, participated in a recent episode of “Fix It and Finish It” home renovation show. “Fix It and Finish It” helps families fix or finish their home improvement projects with local building specialists. Holland Homes volunteered their time, labor, and supplies to help a Montgomery family with a lingering renovation project. “Fix It and Finish It” documented the project that had to be completed in one day from start to finish.

Holland Homes is a custom home builder that specializes in remodels, renovation, and new construction. It was started

by Auburn graduates Daniel Holland (Building Construction ’11) and Robert Melvin in 2006. “We feel blessed to be able to participate and help our neighbors,” said Daniel Holland, owner of Holland Homes. “Helping to make a difference in the lives of others is the best part of what we do.”

The “Fix It and Finish It” episode featuring Holland Homes aired on October 30. Located in Auburn, AL, Holland Homes offers a wide variety of high quality services, from new construction and simple renovations to extreme makeovers, all personalized to a customer’s unique needs.

For the complete story, visit cadc.auburn.edu/construction.

ta b l e brasfield & gorrie receive cadc industry legacy award

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At the College of Architecture, Design and Construction’s Annual Awards Banquet on October 30, Dean Vini Nathan presented Brasfield & Gorrie with CADC’s first Industry Legacy Award. The Industry Legacy Award was given to Brasfield & Gorrie in recognition of its long and sustained positive impact in the design and construction community; for its permanent imprint on our region through its work and service to the greater community, and for enhancing our student environment through its involvement with the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. Miller and Frances Gorrie and Jim and Allison Gorrie were present to accept the award.

A special cake, commemorating Brasfield & Gorrie’s iconic AT&T building in Nashville, TN, helped celebrate the occasion.

The AT&T building cake was created by Cakeoppotamus of Opelika especially for Brasfield & Gorrie.

quoin richard burt, Head and McWhorter Endowed Chair colleen bourdeau, CADC Communications & Marketing Director courtney collins, CADC Graphic Designer c a ssandr a c alloway, Career Services Specialist

of

contents

message from school he ad

alumni profile

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c c i c u p d at e

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schol arships

10

u n d e r g r a d u p d at e s

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g r a d u p d at e s

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f a c u lt y r e s e a r c h

16

c areer expo

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iac highlight

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sl x golf outing

Contributors

l atha bhavnani, stephanie bond, steve williams The Quoin is published twice a year

by Auburn University’s College of Architecture, Design and Construction.

Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved.

3

mes sag e f rom

the

school head

d r . r i c h a r d b u r t, school head & mcwhorter professor

I

n the last edition of Quoin I mentioned that our accreditation visit in February went well and we were expecting a successful conclusion to the undergraduate program accreditation process when I attended the annual meeting of the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) in July. I’m happy to report that it was announced at the meeting that we were re-accredited for another six years. At the same meeting the new learning outcomes-based standards were approved, and when we go through the re-accreditation process in 2020, we will be evaluated under the new standards. We have already begun the process of reviewing our curriculum to evaluate how we move forward to comply with the new standards. Also at the meeting, both Drew Yantis, who represents Holder Construction on our Industry Advisory Council, and I were appointed to the Board of Trustees of the ACCE. I am happy to report that both our graduate and undergraduate enrollment continues to grow. This is very timely, as the demand for our graduates has now exceeded supply. This semester all our graduating students will have jobs and many of them have received multiple offers. You will read later in this edition about the success of our Career Expo, which had over 60 companies participating—the most we have ever had.

I spent the whole of the Career Expo talking to students and recruiters about job opportunities and the state of the industry and walked away from the event feeling good about the job prospects for our graduates.

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We also had some sad news this semester. Two of our Industry Advisory Council Members passed away after long struggles with cancer. George Harris was a recent addition to our IAC representing GE Johnston from Colorado. George was also an active supporter of ACCE and also served on Purdue University’s IAC. Harold Hebson was not only a long time board member; he was also a recipient of our Lifetime Achievement award. He made significant contributions over the past 20 years and his passing is a great loss to the program.

I am also proud to report that the McWhorter School of Building Science has been chosen to host the 33rd International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction and Mining (ISARC 2016). The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC) is the premier global organization dedicated to the advancement of Automation and Robotics in Construction. In July, Anoop Sattineni presented a bid at the ISARC 2014 held in Sydney, Australia in July, and our proposal was successful. It will be the first time this symposium has been held in the U.S. since 2009.

This is another great issue of Quoin—full of the exploits of our graduates, both young and old, and of one of our newest faculty, Keith Rahn, who is collaborating on an extremely innovative research project with a faculty member in the Department of Communication Disorders.

Have a great 2015. War Eagle!

building

on

success

a lum n a p rof il e : s a r a h - a s h l ey m c call

M

eet Sarah-Ashley McCall, a senior project engineer at Balfour Beatty Construction, who graduated from the Building Science program in 2011.

Sarah-Ashley started in the chemical engineering program at another university but decided to change majors when she didn’t see herself ultimately following that career path. She recalled her grandfather, an architect, with guiding her in her career choice. “Knowing my interest in how things are put together, he advised me that I would enjoy engineering or construction.”

At her friends’ suggestions, she looked at the curriculum description for Building Science at Auburn University. She decided to try the program out, and even in the first semester, she was “hooked.”

She knew she had arrived at her destination—a place that would be home for the duration of her studies and a place that would set her on a career path that helped fulfill her dreams.

Her construction industry portfolio includes luxury apartments, a cancer treatment center, an urgent care facility, building renovations, and a high-rise office. “Most people do not get to say that they have worked in healthcare, multi-family, commercial, and education fields within three years of graduating college,” said McCall.

McCall follows Balfour Beatty Construction’s mission in all her projects: To be a relentless ally for the success of each and every dream we are entrusted to build. She goes on to say, “You

have to be prepared and committed to approach each project differently, because your clients do not want to be seen as just another building.” Balfour Beatty assembles custom teams based on each project’s specific need. Each project can have obvious challenges such as site location, or subtle challenges, both of which create conditions to approach projects differently. “We have a great experienced team [on my current project] who contribute to and enrich my learning,” says McCall.

When asked about the construction industry and specifically her interest in Building Science, she states, “Being motivated and challenged, being able to interact with a team, being able to travel, and being able to problem solve are all reasons that from the beginning of my start in the BSCI program I was interested in this field. Construction allows you to play to both creativity and logic, which appeals to me. Sometimes we have to get very creative with our problem solving; other times we have to come up with an idea or a process that no one has ever done before. The question is always ‘How can I do it better and faster?’ What’s better than an industry that never stands still?”

McCall is currently working on a highrise office core and shell project for Balfour that is valued over $100M in downtown Charlotte, NC. According to her, the project is currently in the preconstruction phase, “moving quickly towards starting

construction.” There are several firsts for her on this project—office, core and shell, below-grade parking deck, steel and curtain wall. “Another first is that this is the first office tower to be built in Charlotte since the recession, so it’s bringing a lot of positive energy to the market,” she says.

According to McCall, being a BSCI student was an invaluable experience because professors had real-world knowledge and would challenge students with real situations and issues they themselves had faced. “One of the unsung heroes of the [BSCI] program is the curriculum itself, which is advised by some of the industry’s leading professionals. This curriculum gave me a broad base of knowledge, from safety to contract law, that I have been able to use starting from my first day out of college.”

One of her most enriching experiences was helping found the Auburn Green Builders, which eventually became the USGBC student group. “We were able to meet a need and provide students an organized opportunity to prepare for the LEED exam,”” says McCall.

“The deep traditions and connection to Auburn stay with you. Being in the BSCI program has provided me lifelong friends. We helped each other through Prof K’s class and writing our thesis, we started student groups, we tailgated together, and the best part is that we continue to support each other as young professionals.“

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social media

in

construc tion

cente r for co n s t r u c t io n in n ov a t ion & collabor at ion

T

he Center for Construction Innovation and Collaboration (CCIC) was established to promote academic excellence and to recognize the importance of the collaborative process to form strong relationships with students, industry, product producers, and other academic institutions. The Center embraces outside-the-box thinking from many disciplines, many mindsets, and many orientations. By focusing on innovative approaches to problems and processes, it continues to maintain core values centered on sustainability and impact on built environments. Combine that kind of diverse input in an environment that nurtures collective brainpower, and remarkable things happen. One innovative project that received the CCIC grant this year examined trending technologies such as the social media and their role in construction industries.

We live in a world that does not limit itself to using one-onone communication. Social media has brought about pervasive changes in how we communicate with one another, gather and process information, and disseminate information. It has enabled one individual, community or organization to communicate with hundreds of people quickly and with relatively little effort.

Salman Azhar, associate professor in the McWhorter School of Building Science, received a joint seed grant from CCIC and CADC to study the effect of social media. The purpose of the grant was to explore the current and potential usage of Social Media Technologies (SMTs) within the construction industry, study their relative challenges, risks and rewards, and examine the innovation they provide. Azhar executed this project with help from his graduate students, David Robinson and John Abeln.

According to Azhar, many articles have been published about how businesses use social media, but very little information is available about how specific industries, such as the construction industry, are using this new marketing and communication medium. “Construction is a unique industry where no single product is the same as another, yet the industry is not widely perceived as innovative or collaborative as many other industries,” he says. The industry worldwide is trying to change this perception by adopting long term and short term strategies.

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The research focused on social media platforms such as Facebook®, LinkedIn®, and Twitter® currently being used by construction organizations. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from individuals and organizations with social media presence to analyze their use, potential rewards and risks, and the innovation they provide to make communication and collaboration more effective.

In addition to a social media log that was developed to track activities, a survey questionnaire was distributed to construction industry professionals. Finally, open-end interviews were conducted with individuals from five construction organizations familiar with social media as a company resource.

Results reveal that many construction organizations are beginning to take advantage of social media benefits, but in general, the construction industry lags behind most other industries in terms of social media usage. They currently use the social media for recruitment, disseminating company news, client networking, brand awareness, and showcasing innovations.

“Most companies have not explored the full potential of social media and use it as a sporadic one-way communication tool. Construction organizations must invest sufficient time and resources to support daily operations, maintenance, and security of social media resources in order to gain best results,” says Azhar.

Azhar stressed the need to use latest technologies in instruction, “Social media should be incorporated into classroom exercises and discussions. Beyond the classroom, construction companies could post information about current projects allowing students to actively respond with questions or comments. These companies could also share corporate values with students through social media events and for future recruitment opportunities.”

Azhar presented preliminary findings of his research at the 3rd Creative Construction Conference held in Prague, Czech Republic, from June 21–24, 2014. The final findings of this project are published in the 85th Volume of the Procedia Engineering, an international peer reviewed journal published from the UK.

100.00% 88.37% (38)

90.00%

88.37% (38)

Figure: A graph depicting social media tools used by the surveyed companies.

80.00%

Ranking by Usage

70.00%

60.00%

55.81% (24)

50.00% 39.53% (17)

40.00%

30.00% 23.26% (10) 20.00%

16.28% (7) 11.63% (5)

10.00%

0.00%

Photo: Dr. Azhar at the 3 rd Creative Construction Conference held in Prague, Czech Republic.

4.65% (2) 0.00% (0) MySpace

Flickr

Other

Instagram

Yammer

Social Media Applications

YouTube

Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

student support

schol arship donations providing exceptional s tudent experiences

E

ach year the McWhorter School of Building Science honors exceptional students with financial support. The school prides itself in producing outstanding students who go on to become productive members of the construction industry.

With generous support from donors, fifty-one students were awarded scholarships last year.

Financial assistance has been the pillar of support for many a college student, particularly those planning careers that require many years of study. As tuition is on the rise nationwide, scholarships give access to higher education for students at all income levels. The security afforded by a scholarship can make a big difference in how much time and resources students have during their education to spend on enhancing their knowledge through opportunities and internships.

For Brock Higdon, “The scholarship greatly reduces the amount of stress due to tuition debt for my final two semesters of the Building Science program at Auburn University.”

Amanda Miller, recipient of the James Matthew Mitchell Endowed Scholarship says, “It enables me to focus on my thesis and remaining classes to complete my Bachelor of Science in Building Construction. Upon graduation I will be pursuing a career as a project manager in commercial construction.”

Carter Schmid, who received the Paul C. H. Brandt Annual Scholarship, says that the scholarship “motivates me to achieve success so that one day I, too, can give back as these donors have.”

Garrett Smith, Holder Construction Annual Scholarship recipient— “To me, this scholarship shows that hard work pays off. And it encourages me to keep working hard in the classroom so that I can enter the construction field well prepared with the education I receive here at Auburn University.”

Jackson Cotney says, “Receiving the Stone Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship will enrich my Auburn experience and offer me opportunities like traveling abroad. I look forward to using the scholarship to develop my working knowledge to help others through the career path I have chosen.”

Mitchell Smith, recipient of the Harbert International Inc. Annual Scholarship says, “It is a huge help to my family and me financially, and it will also help bring me one step closer to achieving a degree in Building Science so that I can one day benefit the construction industry.”

“This scholarship gives me hope that someone believes in my ability to make a difference in the world around me,” said Christopher Crouch, recipient of the Hosey Construction Annual Scholarship.

For information on establishing student scholarships contact Dara Hosey at 334-844-1161 or dara@auburn.edu.

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“This scholarship motivates me to achieve success so that one day I, too, can give back as these donors have.”

CARTER SCHMID

“I look forward to using the scholarship to develop my working knowledge to help others through the career path I have chosen.”

J AC K S O N COT N E Y

“This scholarship gives me hope that someone believes in my ability to make a difference in the world around me.”

CHRISTOPHER CROUCH

au c adc semester tuition

& fees

Undergraduate (12 or more sem. hrs.)

2004 2009 2014 Undergraduate - Resident $3,422 $5,280 $7,086 Undergraduate - Non Resident $8,950 $11,520 $15,342

2004 2009 2014 Graduate (9 or more sem. hrs.)

Graduate - Resident $3,422 $5,280 $7,089 Graduate - Non Resident $8,950 $11,520 $15,351

*data from AU Office of Institutional Research and Assessment **includes professional fee

steve williams honored

buil ding science alumni and f riends crea te endowed schol ar ship

“To be honored like this by my former students is deeply meaningful.”

— STEVE WILLIAMS

W

hen Jim Gorrie, Building Science alumnus and President and CEO of Brasfield & Gorrie, heard that Steve Williams was retiring, he knew he wanted to do something that would honor Williams’ 34-year career in the McWhorter School of Building Science. What better way to acknowledge the impact Williams has had on hundreds of students and on the construction industry as a whole in Alabama than creating an endowed scholarship in his name?

Gorrie worked with Dara Hosey, College of Architecture, Design and Construction Development Manager, and donated $25,000 towards a matching scholarship. As Gorrie explains, “I was in school when Steve joined the faculty, and I always enjoyed and appreciated him as a knowledgeable and caring instructor. After I graduated, I also had the opportunity to work with him through the industry advisory council and construction industry fund. He was always involved in any ideas to improve the program, and he was always interested in engaging with the construction industry. Creating this matching scholarship in his name just seemed like the right thing to do.”

“We are especially appreciative of Mr. Gorrie’s insight and leadership in creating a gift matching opportunity to maximize the gifts of his fellow alumni

and colleagues,” says Hosey. “Without a doubt, his commitment is what enabled us to be successful in securing the Steve Williams Scholarship Endowment.”

Other Building Science alumni and friends played leadership roles to make sure the full $25,000 match was met.

Robin Savage, Robins & Morton Chief Operating Officer, knew he wanted to be involved. ”I knew without hesitation that this was a significant and worthy cause to support. I think Steve needs to be recognized for his many contributions to Building Science and what better way to do it than by establishing a scholarship to advance what he cared so deeply about—education and learning.”

The Steve Williams Scholarship Endowment has funding and commitments of more than $50,000, and the first scholarships are expected to be awarded in 2018. Scholarships will be for rising juniors or seniors who have demonstrated exceptional potential in the area of innovation during his or her first two years of college.

“The men and women who have generously given to establish the Steve Williams Scholarship Endowment are ensuring that Steve’s legacy in the McWhorter School of Building Science is preserved for future generations of Building Science students,” Hosey says.

“It is a beautiful way to pay forward what was given to them when they were students. Anywhere I go, our Building Science alumni and friends have many memories of Steve and his influence on their professional—and sometimes personal—success. The great thing is that our alumni can continue to add to it over the years when they make their annual gifts to the School just by specifying their gift go toward the Steve Williams Scholarship Endowment.”

“I had the best job in the world for 32 years. I got to work with great people, work with great students, and learn from exceptional industry leaders, most of whom are Auburn graduates. To be honored like this by my former students is deeply meaningful,” said Steve Williams.

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accreditation renewed

cons tr uc tion management program accredited for six more years

T

he McWhorter School of Building Science’s Construction Management Program has been accredited for six more years. The American Council for Construction Education notified the McWhorter School of Building Science of the renewal of accreditation of its Construction Management Program from July 2014 through July 2020. One of the oldest and largest construction management education programs in the United States, the McWhorter School of Building Science is the only accredited four-year construction management program in the State of Alabama.

“Obtaining re -accreditation by the American Council for Construction Education is significantly important for the school,” says Richard Burt, Head of the McWhorter School of Building Science. “It is a unique opportunity to have our program reviewed by both academic and industry peers. The feedback we received from our visiting team allows us to make improvements and continue the practices that were acknowledged as making our program stronger.”

The American Council of Construction Education’s mission is to be “the leading global advocate of quality construction education.” ACCE accreditation helps students identify construction education programs that have met stringent industry standards of quality and content and assures potential employers

Future Construction Leaders – Fall 2014 Graduates

that students from an ACCE-accredited program will be of high caliber. ACCE-accredited construction management programs, such as the McWhorter School of Building Science’s, maintain close ties with industry and construction professionals to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends in the construction industry.

Drew Yantis, Building Science alumnus and Vice President of Holder Construction explained, “The ACCE Accreditation process is a rigorous evaluation of a construction program’s processes, policies, resources, and outcomes. The renewed accreditation is the result of talented and committed administrators, faculty, staff, and industry. This process is an independent evaluation which confirms that Building Science students at Auburn receive an outstanding education based on high standards of excellence. I am proud to be a graduate of Auburn’s McWhorter School of Building Science program as it is consistently recognized as one of the top construction programs in the United States.”

Auburn’s Construction Management program is highly respected for its blending practical and professional construction education principles by constantly exploring the latest information technology applications to construction education.

students complete concrete outreach for campus and community Fifty-three students from the McWhorter School of Building Science, working under the direction of Professor Michael Hein, Assoc. Professor Salman Azhar, and instructor Mike Hosey, are completing servicelearning projects that involve concrete on the Auburn University campus and in the Auburn-Opelika community.

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hard hats

and

high heels

the master of building construction program’s new look

T

hat’s what they call themselves—the seven young women who began the Master of Building Construction (MBC) program this summer: hard hats and high heels. They are part of a cohort of seventeen students, and the largest number of women ever welcomed into the MBC program at one time. If you spend any length of time with this group, you’ll also call them smart, engaged, and enthusiastic. They positively radiate excitement for the MBC program.

One of the strengths of Auburn’s MBC program is that it is aimed at students from both construction and non-construction related backgrounds, and this group is a good example. Only one woman in the group has a degree in project management: Congwen Kan from Tianjin, China. Ashley Byers, Julya Welch, Erika Crews, and Caroline Sabo all developed an interest in building construction through electives they took in Auburn’s Environmental Design program that encourages electives and minors in College of Architecture, Design and Construction programs such as building construction, community planning, and industrial design. Alex Romigh is an industrial design graduate, another CADC program, and Kasie Elston graduated in Human Science’s interior design program.

They are quick to agree on other strengths of the MBC program: first and foremost, the caring faculty. “They are so willing to share their expertise and what they know,” says Kasie. “They care about your success and want you to be totally prepared.”

As Erika explains, “It feels like everything in class is applicable and can also be used in more than one way.”

The group also appreciates the emphasis the program places on presentation skills and being knowledgeable about their subject. Working in groups and collaborations is another strength. “We work in teams all the time,” says Julya. “Ones that you don’t get to pick, and that’s important.”

They also appreciate the caring staff in the McWhorter School of Building Science. Cassandra Calloway keeps them well informed on jobs and internships and helps them make industry connections through the Career Expos each semester.

Joline Landry (aka Mama Jo) coordinates all the classes but, more importantly, is a good listener and counselor. Says Kasie, “She’s very caring—our personal therapist!”

Each student has different plans for using her MBC. Congwen, who was attracted to the MBC program’s BIM applications, hopes to work in virtual design and construction (VDC) or possibly get a PhD. Alex is interviewing for a pre-construction internship to see if she would like to go that route. Erika is interested in estimating and BIM. Ashley likes scheduling and budgeting. While Kasie loves structures and wants to use her interior design background in intelligent design. Green building and sustainability in a project management context interests Julya. They all agree, however, that Survey Camp was tough and made them realize that they didn’t want to be superintendents or in the field!

They also agree that being women in field of building construction is an advantage because they bring a different way of thinking and organizing that balances well with the men. “Plus, says Kasie, “We’re going to be well trained and know what we’re talking about.”

While the MBC program is challenging, they point out that one of the highlights has been going through it together. They motivate each other, look out for each other, and enjoy calling themselves “hard hats and high heels.” They are unanimous in their agreement that the MBC program is a great environment, and they couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. “We love the program!” they say together—unprompted.

Cover and article images by Melissa Humble, AU Photographic Services

“It feels like everything in class is applicable and can also be used in more than one way.”

— ERIKA CREWS

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fa c u lt y r e s e a r c h keith rahn & mary sandage

A

t first glance, Building Science and Communication Disorders may seem disparate subjects, but a closer look at the research being conducted at Auburn University gives a glimpse at how closely they are related. A chance meeting got the principal investigators Keith Rahn, an assistant professor in building science, and Mary Sandage, an assistant professor in communication disorders, to work on a unique project: the effect of a building environment on human voice function.

Their interests were in specific areas, Rahn in mechanical systems such as heating and cooling systems and ventilation in buildings, and Sandage in vocal function, but what got them together was to see how they could meld their interests to provide the best work environment for people.

Their investigation centers on how humidity, temperature, and forced air velocity affect voice function, especially for individuals who rely on their voices for their jobs such as telemarketers control the environmental temperature in spaces. Only forced and school teachers. “In building sciences, we design for comfort, air needed to the CASIC office space is to meet fresh air requiretaking into account the levels of temperature and humidity in ment per the mechanical code which only requires 35 cfm of air. a room. This study will bring in other elements into the equaThe other lab is an office at the Gorrie Center, home to tion,” said Rahn. the Department of Building Science, which used forced air According to Sandage, voice disorders affect approximately heating and cooling. According to Rahn, more than 90 percent 7.5 million Americans, resulting in a negative impact on work of Auburn University buildings use forced air heating and coolproductivity and quality of life. “There is evidence that workers ing systems. This type of system not only uses air for fresh in thermally challenging environments have a higher incidence air requirements, but it also uses the air to provide the proper of voice disorders. We also have anecdotal evidence for how environmental temperature. The office in Gorrie uses 225 a dry, breezy, cold environment is not the best environment cfm of forced air compared to 35 cfm for the CASIC space. In for healthy voice use,” she said. “The average school teacher the Gorrie Center “We had to install an independent force air misses at least one or two days in a year because of voice prob- system with a special dehumidifier, so we could maintain 20 lems, and it is a very important population to pay attention to. percent humidity,” he said. “Our quest was to see if it was A review of the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety better to have a cooler and drier environment. Is the physical and Health Administration (OSHA) environmental standards comfort in the building good for voice comfort, too?” indicates inadequate guidelines for workplace ventilation to pro“Our hypothesis was that it won’t because the drier the tect occupational voice users from developing voice disorders.” environment, the more irritated the voice will become,” said “Since there are many occupations requiring effective voice Sandage. “The larynx, a very responsive organ in the upper use in environments that fall outside of a narrow physiologic airway, is constantly buffering environmental temperature, range of 36–39 C, it is crucial that we understand the effect humidity, and air flow. Maintaining a certain level of temperature, of thermal environment exposures in vocal function. Such hydration, and humidity may not make much of a difference to exposure may predispose individuals to the development of healthy people, but for people with respiratory diseases like vocal pathology.” allergies or asthma, or for individuals who take drying medicaRahn hopes that the result of the experiment would help tions, it would make a difference.” them design a building that has no negative impact on voice, This preliminary study looking at a small group is supported a room that has better air flow, or one which provides uniform by internal grants from CADC seed grant, from the Center for comfort in any area.

Construction Innovation and Collaboration, and from Auburn Their experiments hypothesize that voice use will be more University Intramural Grant. “We hope to have enough data to effective in a radiant system versus forced air system environapply for external support from agencies such as the National ment. Rahn and Sandage use office spaces in two Auburn Institutes of Health.” According to Rahn, there is not much University buildings to compare the effect of forced air versus research done in this area where several variables are studied. radiant chilled/heated rooms (passive) and humidity levels on “One end result of this study could be development of codes voice function. The Center for Advanced Science Innovation and construction standards for buildings for different uses. and Commerce (CASIC), the new research facility, uses chilled We may be able to influence policy on how spaces are heated beams with hot water radiant panels located in the ceiling to or cooled.”

“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) may be interested in our results,” said Sandage. “OSHA has nothing in their workplace standards for protection of voice.

We hope we can help craft a policy to help protect voices of people who depend on their voice for their livelihood. We spend as many health care dollars on teachers’ voice disorders as we do on children’s ear infections. Our study may have direct financial impact on our health care system.”

“The College of Science and Mathematics has joined the interdisciplinary team and will be using the data we generate,” said Rahn. Dr. Guanqun Cao, assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and her doctoral student, Italo Roany Costa Lima, are looking at thermal mapping and statistical modeling of both labs use in the research. “They need large data samples and we have them ready for use,” said Sandage. “Participating in cross disciplinary research opens up one’s world.”

Other people involved in the design, equipment, and installation at the Gorrie Center were Mark Aderholdt, director of design service at Auburn University, Michael Boboian of Johnson Controls in Hoover, AL, and Joe Ross from Associated Mechanical Contractors, Inc. in Montgomery, AL. The dehumidifier for the Gorrie Center lab was provided by Curtis Musall of Innovative Air Systems, LLC. Spencer Pursley, a graduate student in Integrated Design and Construction helped with the preliminary research for the study. Audrey Smith, a graduate research assistant in speech pathology is currently gathering data on study participants.

Article images by Melissa Humble, AU Photographic Services

Ambient Environmental Condi ons

Laryngeal Viscosity, HVAC Forced Air vs.

Radiant, Upper Airway Condi oning

Voice Func on

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fall career expo sixty-one companies participate in fall 2014 career expo

T

he faculty, staff and students at the McWhorter School of Building Science are extremely thankful for the record 61 companies who participated in the fall 2014 Career Expo. Join us for the 2015 Spring Career Expo on January 26 from 3-7 p.m. at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center with Interview Day following on January 27 from 8 a.m.–12 p.m.

ABC of Alabama Ajax Building Corp Alabama Rural Ministry Anning-Johnson Co. Applied Software Atlas RFID Barriere Construction Co., LLC Bartlett Cocke GC Barton Malow Company Batson-Cook Batten & Shaw, Inc. Beacon Roofing Supply B.L. Harbert International, LLC BMWC Constructors, Inc. Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC Caddell Construction Catamount Constructors, Inc. Choate Construction Co. Clayco Inc. Doster Construction D.R.Horton, Inc.

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DPR Hardin Evergreen Construction ExxonMobil Corporation GE Johnson Construction Co. Gilbane Building Company Gray Construction Harmon, Inc. Harvey Cleary Builders Hensel Phelps Construction Co. Hill & Wilkinson Hoar Construction, LLC Hogan Construction Group Holder Construction J.E. Dunn Construction John Wieland Homes & Neighbors Juneau Construction Co. Kevin Price GC, Inc. Kiewit M.J. Harris, Inc. Manhattan Construction Marathon Elect. Contractors, Inc.

McCarthy Building Construction Nabholz Construction Services PCL Construction Services, LLC Performance Contractors, Inc. Prestwick Construction Co.,LLC Robins & Morton RTD Construction, Inc. Skanska USA Spectra Contracting Flooring The Conlan Company The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. TIC-The Industrial Company Trio Electric Turner Construction Co. Valley View Agrisystems Western Construction Group Winter Construction Woodward Construction & Design, Inc. Yates Construction

funda men ta l s co n t r ibu t e to success in global enterprise

D

an Messer (Building Science ’78) is the senior director for project risk management at CB&I. CB&I is a large multinational conglomerate that designs, engineers, and constructs some of the world’s largest energy infrastructure projects.

Messer began his building career when he was contracted to build a boat dock in high school. “I enjoyed it so much I decided to pursue construction over a law degree. I looked at Auburn’s Architecture program, found the Building Science program, and the rest is history,” he added.

Messer credits the Building Science program for laying the foundation to his career. “I have used virtually everything I learned at Auburn in some capacity. The fundamentals can apply to any type of construction as I have learned through personal experience.”

After graduating from Auburn, Messer began his building career at BE&K, Inc., which was acquired by KBR Inc., both engineering and construction firms. He joined CB&I in 2012 as senior director of global systems. “The nature of the work at CB&I is very similar to my responsibilities at BE&K, Inc. and KBR Inc. from a project management, project controls, and project execution standpoint. What is different is the scope and location of projects that I am involved with.”

As a director at CB&I, he identifies risks and works with the project teams to determine mitigation strategies and contingencies to establish the final proposal price and offering.

Messer’s team includes five senior managers with an average of thirty years’ experience who form the core assessment staff.

After the contract is awarded, his team assesses execution of the project and offers recommendations and actions to improve performance. He believes in maintaining high ethical standards, treating everyone fairly and with respect, and doing what is right for the project.

Messer deals with a diverse project mix including refinery projects in South America and Asia, nuclear power plants in the U.S., and liquefied natural gas facilities in the U.S., Australia and Africa. “The diversity in the size, location, and scope of the projects is very challenging and interesting,” he added.

Messer has served on the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) for thirteen years and takes his role on the board very seriously.

“I think the IAC is important to the program for the support, feedback, and guidance that the industry connection provides.”

iac hig hlig ht : d an messer

“I think the IAC is important to the program for the support, feedback, and guidance that the industry connection provides,” he added. “Many IAC members have served for ten years or more. This has given us an opportunity to grow with the program and learn how we can better support the university.

While the IAC is important for the resources and expertise that we can deliver to the program, the most important role is probably that of an independent sounding board to address challenges and test new directions within Building Science and the college.”

He is enthusiastic about the interaction between the IAC and the faculty and students and the changes he has seen in the program in the years since his graduation. “It has been very rewarding to see the advancement of the program and to have played a part in the long term development.” According to Messer, the addition of a graduate program, focus on research, the new building, and the technological evolutions that occurred in the past thirty years continue to improve the program. “The caliber of students attracted to the program has steadily increased as well and is a testament to the strength of the program.”

Messer’s connection to Auburn is not confined to his education at Auburn. His wife Cindy graduated from the engineering program at Auburn, and his nephew Chris, who works at Robins and Morton in Birmingham, graduated from Building Science.

“I recall the people, energy, and good times at Auburn, including our great football team! The recent passing of Harold Hebson, who was a great leader and member of the IAC, reminds us how important our Auburn family is to all of us.”

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slx golf outing supports ppe 124 p ar t i c i p a te d in th e eve n t

O

n September 30, 2014, the IOTA Chapter of Sigma Lambda Chi at the McWhorter School of Building Science organized a golf outing at the Auburn University Club. Associate Professor Keith Rahn and Student Chairperson Garrett Smith organized the event.

“This is the second year that the event has been held in the fall,” said Rahn. “The golf club was just the ideal setting for the 124 students, alumni, faculty, company recruiters, and industry representatives to mingle a day before the career expo. It gave employers and students another opportunity to network.”

According to Rahn, the proceeds from the outing will provide PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) to new students entering the professional program. The PPE includes hard hats, safety vests, and safety glasses.

IOTA is the Building Science chapter of the international Honor Society for construction students.

SLC bestows a monetary Ethics Award to a peer-selected and faculty-approved PC3 student at the Spring BSCI Awards event.

CO M PA N I E S W H O PA R T I C I PAT ED

B.L. Harbert International Bartlett Cocke General Construction Batson Cook Construction Brasfield & Gorrie Builder First Source CMC Siding Don Allen Development Evergreen Construction Golden Construction Hensel Phelps Hoar Construction, LLC Holder Construction JE Dunn Construction Kevin Price General Contractors, Inc. M. J. Harris Construction Marathon Electrical Contractors Metro Power, Inc. Parrish Construction PCL Construction Services Performance Contractors Robins and Morton The Clement Group Turner Construction Western Construction Yates Construction

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