KENNESAW, Ga. | Jul 31, 2019

In its most successful fundraiser yet, Kennesaw State University’s Department of Construction Management raised more than $167,000 for scholarships and the development of state-of-the-art teaching facilities.

The 17th Annual Industry Advisory Board Fundraiser Gala, held last week at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, drew more than 72 sponsorships from individuals and organizations.
Funds raised this year eclipsed the previous high of $140,000 set in 2017. During the event, construction management students were awarded $14,500 in scholarships.

“We are so very grateful to see this level of support from our industry partners throughout the region,” said Khalid Siddiqi, chair of Kennesaw State’s Department of Construction Management. “Through their generosity, we are able to lessen the financial burden of students who wish to receive a world-class education at KSU. I am thrilled to see how much this event has grown since its inception.”

The gala started from humble beginnings, raising just $7,000 in its first year. Its recent success can be attributed in part to the department’s robust industry advisory board, Siddiqi said.
The board has 42 members – many of whom are donors – and its mission is to ensure students meet the educational and career needs of the industry from an employer’s perspective.

2019 Diamond Sponsors Day

The Diamond Level sponsors of the 2018 Construction Management Industry Advisory Board Annual Fundraiser Gala were invited to participate in a special career fair held by the department in February 2019. The Diamond Sponsors present included: Atlanta Paving ConcreteBatson-Cook ConstructionBeck GroupBrent Scarbrough Co.C.W. MatthewsFortune-Johnson, Inc.Hogan Construction GroupHolder ConstructionHorizon ConstructionHudson Parrot WalkerInglett StubbsParrish ConstructionThreads for the SouthTurner Construction These companies had the benefit of meeting all interested construction management students and recent graduates in a small setting, allowing them to have extended one-on-one time with each student. The Construction Management Department ensured that all CM students aspiring for an internship or a full-time position had the opportunity to come to attend. A wide variety of applicants fit the needs of the recruiting organizations who sponsored this successful event.

This year’s upcoming Annual Fundraiser Gala is scheduled to take place on September 20, 2018.

Spring 2019 Cookout

The annual Spring Cookout was held on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

Thank you to our sponsor, the Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association (AECA) and Chuck Little. This was sponsored in conjunction with Cherri Watson, Chair of our Industry Advisory Board Alumni and Student Relations Committee.

In addition, CM Construction Industry Board members in attendance were Jeff Shropshire, Mike Guinan, Tanner Wilson, Duane Petersen and Keith Rothwell.

The weather was ideal! Food, fun games and networking for the students, faculty and staff from the College of Architecture and Construction Management and several of our campus partners also joined in from Student Affairs, UITS, and Public Safety.