The 65th anniversary of the University of Houston's Construction Management program was celebrated at the Hilton University of Houston Hotel in October with a gathering featuring the various stakeholders that had made the program so successful.
This included Construction Management Industry Advisory Board members, alumni of the program, faculty members and staffers, and current students.
For a full photo gallery from the night, click here!
The evening was led by Master of Ceremonies and Commercial IAB Secretary Dennis Ducran and featured commentary from Interim Department Chair Ahmed Senouci, Ph.D.; University President Renu Khator; Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Diane Chase; Cullen College of Engineering Elizabeth D. Rockwell Dean and Professor Joseph W. Tedesco; P&I IAB President Christine Certel; Commercial IAB President Dan Hlavac; and Construction Management Professor of Practice Dwight Beadle. There was also a keynote addresses from President and CEO of Austin Industries David Walls, who earned his Bachelor of Science in construction technology from the University of Houston in 1979, and writer and speaker Pat Kiley.
This celebration of excellence in construction management education shined a light on the department's storied past and proclaimed its limitless possibilities for the future.
"One of our main goals and objectives is to really engage the students, and to give them the best experience possible," Hlavac said. "Hopefully one day they're able to return to us as strong alumni, with the time, experience, and resources to share with the program to help us keep this proud tradition going."
The department's remarkable journey to its current prestige began in 1958 with the inception of the Building and Technology Civil Technology program. Within 10 years, the program was accredited, paving the way for a future rich in growth and innovation.
As the landscapes of industry and education began to change, the program was renamed to Construction Management in 2004, and only five years later, the University of Houston became the first institution in the United States to offer a Process & Industrial Construction specialization track.
This unique educational experience continues to keep the Construction Management department at the cutting edge of construction education nationwide, underscoring its commitment to continue to adapt and pioneer in the modern industry landscape.
Today, UH Construction Management is ranked #3 in Texas by EduRank, and the program boasts an outstanding record of preparing its students for successful careers: with a 100 percent passing rate on the American Institute of Constructors exam and a 91 percent employment rate for graduates, it is evident that these 65 years of hard work and dedication have more than paid off.
Event attendees mingled at cocktail hour before sitting down to a rich, multi-course meal, during which they were regaled with student video testimonials, words of address from faculty and industry partners, and presentations from distinguished keynote speakers.
"Many people might think that when you reach the age of 65, you can simply coast. That wasn't the case for Colonel Harlan Sanders, who at the age of 65 founded KFC; it wasn't the case for Laura Ingalls Wilder, who at the age of 65 documented her life and childhood in a book called The Little House on the Prairie; it certainly wasn't the case for Frank McCourt, who took up writing at age 65 and produced the bestseller Angela's Ashes, also an acclaimed motion picture. At 65, this program shows no signs of slowing down either," Chase said. "My academic discipline is archaeology, and I've spent a considerable amount of time exploring ancient civilizations and cities. While my research looks into the past, I can also look out into this room and see the future of our cities in this crowd."
"To everyone who has contributed to this magnificent journey, I extend my profound thanks," Senouci said. "Collectively, we have done more than just erect buildings: we have also set a legacy. We are looking forward to many more years filled with excellence."