Seasoned Students, Alum Orient New Construction Management Majors

Published 09.17.2015

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The second annual Construction Management Freshman Orientation, in which new students were broken into small teams and attended three presentations, was held from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.



Alumnus David W. Felter shares lessons learned.May 2006 graduate David W. Felter, an area superintendent for Hensel Phelps, discussed construction management careers and offered career advice that included many stories and lessons from his experiences. His presentation emphasized the value of networking, goals, and balancing one's personal and professional lives.

"I am always glad to give back to the school and program that provides me with a successful career," he said. "It is a privilege to support and motivate the young students that will be the future of the construction industry. I wish them all the best in their academic and future professional careers in construction management."

Students vie to build the tallest tower from marshmallows and toothpicks ...Seniors Anthony V. Rode, of Lords Valley, and William E. Hye, of Greentown, presented a construction-safety class, sharing information about basic personal and site safety with plenty of visuals and stories.

Junior Wesley G. Ginnick, of Altoona, and sophomore Bryan W. Ralko, of Doylestown, presented a session on team building and “Stuff I Wish I Had Known as a Freshman,” where the goal was for all of the students to meet and get to know their classmates and those in the other section.

... among the day's team-building activities.One of the team-building activities was a marshmallow and toothpick tower-building challenge in which bronze, silver and gold prizes were awarded for the tallest towers. Construction management faculty picked up the tab for lunch and the Construction Management Association hosted coffee and donuts for breakfast.

“I enjoyed the team-building session. It was nice to get to know the students from the other class and talking with the upperclassmen," one participant said. "The small setting made it comfortable to ask questions about the college and the major, and the answers were very helpful.”

Photos provided by the School of Construction & Design Technologies