KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 7, 2019

In its most successful fundraiser yet, Kennesaw State University’s Department of Construction Management raised more than $170,000 for scholarships and the development of state-of-the-art teaching facilities. The 18th Annual Industry Advisory Board Fundraiser Gala, held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre September 19, 2019, drew more than 80 sponsorships from individuals and organizations.

Funds raised this year eclipsed the previous high of $167,000 set in 2018. During the event, construction management students were awarded $19,000 in scholarships. The scholarships presented on the occasion included six Industry Advisory Board Scholarships, two endowed Davidson Family Scholarships, Carl Frinzi Scholarship, and Atlanta Electrical Contractors Scholarship.  Three new annual scholarships were raised during the event namely Beth Lowry Scholarship, Paul Hogan Scholarship, and Chamberlain Hrdlicka White Williams Aughtry, a well-known Construction Law Firm.

“We are indebted to our Industry Advisory Board Members who continue to support out program through their intellectual and monetary contributions”. said Khalid Siddiqi, Interim Dean of Kennesaw State’s Department of Construction Management. “Through the generosity of our donors we are able to offer scholarships to our students who wish to receive a world-class construction education at KSU. I am delighted to see the growth of the fundraiser revenues every year.”  The Construction Industry Advisory Board has 45 members from different sectors of the Construction Industry, and we attribute the success of the fundraiser in part to the department’s robust industry advisory board, Siddiqi said.  The board and their 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.

Guest Speakers on the occasion included Mike Kenefsky developer of EHS Software and Robert Coffey a leader in construction data, software, and services who transformed construction procurement across the US and Canada.   Dr. Kat Schwaig, Provost, Kennesaw State University spoke on the occasion and shared the growth and community impact of KSU in the region.  Dr. Schwaig also acknowledged the contributions of the Construction Industry Advisory Board towards enhancing the quality of the program and for the scholarships they raise for the students. Board members were presented with awards in recognition of their individual performance towards the board mission.

Margo Wimbish father of Keaton Wimbish, who was a recipient of Construction Industry Advisory Board Scholarship said “I wanted to reach out to you and thank you again for welcoming us to last night’s Construction Management event.  Your hospitality made a definite impression.  I appreciate all of the hard work that went into planning and hosting the dinner and fundraiser.  It was an excellent opportunity for students to network and for stakeholders to meet faculty and staff members.  More importantly, it was a guided lesson for the students who will be tomorrow's business leaders.  Hopefully the students enjoyed the evening, appreciated the recognition, and recognize the importance of giving back and supporting emerging leadership.  Prior to this event, I had no true connection with KSU.   Thanks to you and your staff, I can now say that I am a proud