Student construction chapter spends winter break time volunteering on service trip
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
MANHATTAN — The Associated General Contractors of Kansas Student Chapter at Kansas State University in the GE Johnson Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science took 14 students and two faculty advisors on its annual winter break service project.
This year's trip was to Hammond, Louisiana, for five days in January, serving local residents left with damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida.
Chapter members from K-State have organized and participated in these service work trips over the winter break for more than a decade, with the majority of previous trips coordinated through Habitat for Humanity's Collegiate Challenge program.
"This trip was very rewarding for our group," said Shannon Casebeer, assistant professor, Jim and Carolyn Grier construction science chair and faculty adviser for the Associated General Contractors of Kansas Student Chapter. "The opportunity to serve others while gaining hands-on experience on a variety of projects is great for everyone involved."
The group had the opportunity to work with vinyl siding, rough carpentry framing, flooring, ADA ramps and electrical rough-ins. Students from freshmen to seniors participated this year, all gaining industry-related experience while helping a community still struggling to recover from Ida.
Accompanying Casebeer in a faculty advisory role was Ray Buyle, K-State associate professor and department head of architectural engineering and construction science, and Tointon construction management chair.
The trip was funded through donations from the following industry firms: Austin Commercial, BHS Construction, Brinkmann Constructors, Central Consolidated, Dondlinger Construction, Eby Construction, Foley Equipment, Icon Structures, JE Dunn, Key Construction, MW Builders, Prairie Landworks, Professional Engineering Consultants, The Law Company and Whiting-Turner.
K-State students participating in the project:
Marissa Ober, senior in architectural engineering, Alden; Noah Bartel, freshman in construction science and management, Hillsboro; Adam Moore, senior in construction science and management, Lenexa; Nick Divilbiss, junior in architectural engineering, Parker; Spencer Dugan, junior in construction science and management, St. George; Caleb Reed, senior in architectural engineering, Topeka; and Matt Forbus, senior in construction science and management, and Carley Phelps, senior in architectural engineering, both from Wichita.
From out of state: MaryGrace Starner, senior in architectural engineering, Lee's Summit, Missouri; Tyler Boss, senior in architectural engineering; Richmond, Missouri; Madelyn Salmonowicz, junior in architectural engineering, St. Louis, Missouri; Trent Hardison, sophomore in construction science and management, Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Ridgely Hatton, senior in construction science and management, Austin, Texas.
From out of country: Lucas Nascimento, junior in construction science and management, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
