MSOE construction management team takes first in national contest
| Published: 03/13/2004 |
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How long does it take to plan a $15 million medical center addition and present it to clients? If you’re MSOE Construction Management students, you do it in less than a day and do it better than anyone else.
A team of six undergraduate students from Milwaukee School of Engineering took first place in an industry-sponsored National Construction Management Student Competition this weekend, beating out college teams from across the country including University of Florida, Auburn, University of Cincinnati, Brigham Young, Cal State, Oklahoma State, University of Washington and Northern Arizona.
They competed in the Commercial category of the Associated General Contractors (AGC)-sponsored event held Wednesday through Saturday in Orlando, Fla. Another MSOE team took third place in the Design-Build category.
In light of the construction industry’s importance to the economy, the MSOE win bodes well for local industry, who’ll likely benefit when four of the Commercial students graduate in May. All of the participating students are enrolled in the B.S. in Construction Management or B.S. in Architectural Engineering programs.
The first-place Commercial team prepared a construction estimate, construction schedule, and construction plan, plus a formal written proposal and oral presentation for a proposed $15 million medical center renovation and addition. The Commercial problem was highly complex and patient safety was emphasized in the task. They had to address budget, site plan, coordination and environmental issues and prepare a schedule in a 16-hour time frame.
The Design-Build team’s contest involved the preparation and presentation of an architectural design, construction estimate, schedule, and mechanical design for a $40 million minor league baseball park. Their challenges included addressing community concerns, creating luxury suites, media center, restaurants and five practice fields. The park was also to be multifunctional, with other uses such as a concert venue to be part of the plan. A variety of construction and design challenges were addressed in a 17-hour period.
Both contests required "all-nighters" to complete the tasks and prepare their presentations for a panel of professionals.
“The judges commented that MSOE set a new standard in their presentation," said Professor Robert Lemke, the Design-Build team’s coach.
The team will take home $3,000 and are “going to Disney World” before they return to campus Monday.
Commercial Team - 2004 National Champions
Michael Jahner, Waukesha, Wis.
Jennifer Scheiding, Oak Creek, Wis.
Matt Mehring, Oconomowoc, Wis.
Andrew Slater, West Allis, Wis.
Kevin Kaczynski, Bartlett, Ill.
Ryan Lent, Watertown, Wis.
Professor Mike Emmer was their coach.
Matt Tadisch, Green Bay, Wis.
Sara Hansen, Oconto Falls, Wis.
Veronica Konieczka, Chicago
Chadwick Beeler, Jackson, Wis.
Sean O'Gorman, Milwaukee
Darby Rowland, Downers Grove, Ill.
Associate Professor Robert Lemke was their coach.