Founder's Award

The Founder's Award was established in 2006 to recognize individuals, companies, or organizations that, through their efforts over the past year, have had a profound affect on construction education.

Founder's Award Nomination Form -- 2013

Nominations are for the year January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012.  All forms must be received no later than May 20, 2013.  For further information, please contact ACCE at 210-495-6161 or acce@acce-hq.org.

Award Winner 2012 -- Sundt Corporation

The 2012 Founder’s Award is given to Sundt Construction Companies for its current, past and continued support of construction education.  Sundt is an industry leader in promoting and rewarding continuing education certification among their employee-owners. Sundt employee-owners have

• 114 American Institute of Constructors (AIC) certifications, the most of any company nationally.  This includes 106 Certified Professional Constructors.
• 152 LEED AP’s, and
• 82 designated Design-Build Professionals

Within the Sundt Corporation, the educated become the educators in an ever-widening circle of impact.  A sampling of their extensive work with construction education and community service includes:

• Participation in the advancing Minorities in Construction Mock Interview Program in collaboration with the Del E, Webb School of Construction and the Associated Minority Contractors of America (AMCA)
• Mentorship program with AMCA
• Sponsorship of training and service activities in the Arizona Chapter of the Association of General Contractors
• Membership on curriculum/industry advisory boards at eight Universities
• Investment in communities through the Sundt Foundation grants and volunteer activity, including a total of $726,601 in 2011 alone.

Sundt understands that meaningful relationships with successful professionals contribute to the success of construction-focused students.  They also recognize that financial support is critical for some to be successful in these efforts.  On top of the contributions from Sundt Foundation, individual offices support at least ten (10) different university construction programs through the following (from $3,000 to $10,000 per school depending on the year):

• Travel grants to the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Regions 5, 6 & 7 Competitions (more than 2.000 of the top Construction Management majors in the nation participate in these annual competitions)
• Coaching and financial support for ASC Competition Teams (Northern Arizona university, Sacramento State University, Arizona State University, Texas A&M)
• Award of multiple scholarships and internships for aspiring construction industry professionals
• Construction Management-Engineering “Put a face to their profession” experiences – more than 12 years on-going.

Award Winner 2011 -- National Housing Endowment

The National Housing Endowment (NHE), the philantropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to helping the housing industry develop more effective approaches to home building, enhancing education and training for future generations of leaders in residential construction and increasing the body of knowledge on housing issues.  It does so by supporting innovative and effective programs that further education, training and research in the residential construction industry. 

Each year, the NHE awards $100,000 grants to colleges and universities to help them create, expand and enhance existing residential construction management programs -- and to enable them to provide programs that respond to the current state of the home building industry and anticipate and prepare for its future.  Established in 2006, this endowment has awarded more than $1.4 million in HELP grants to educational institutions. 

In addition, each year the NHE awards student travel scholarships to the NAHB International Builder's Show.  Last year alone they awarded $70,000 in travel scholarships to more than 440 students from 45 colleges, high schools and technical schools across the country.  They have 13 home builders associations committed to more than $23,900 in matching funds to help support students.

Moreover, they oversee the Lee S. Evans Scholarship fund that annually awards around $50,000 to 8-10 exemplary students majoring in construction related fields.  Overall NHE awards more than $300,000 each year to hundreds of students pursuing careers in residential construction and related fields.  They have profoundly and prsitively affected construction education at 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities through their philanthropic efforts.

Award Winner 2010 -- Mr. Thomas P. Weise and the Arizona Junior Achievement

Construction is the second largest employer in the country, after government, and it is facing an unprecedented, nationwide shortage of skilled labor.  Junior Achievement of Arizona through BizTown and Building Arizona Co., is increasing awareness to the immediate support groups of parents, teachers, and counselors that will act as stewards to students that wish to seek construction industry alternatives.

JA BizTown is a 6,000 sq. ft. replica of a bustling American town where students learn the skills, knowledge and attitudes for success in tomorrow’s workplace.  Beginning in the third grade, students are exposed to the construction process where they examine the role of a builder and the importance of the construction business to a city’s economy.  They identify the skills a builder needs and how the builder’s job is interconnected with other jobs in a city.  They explore the skills needed in various construction processes and how to acquire those skills. 

This experience prepares them for the hands-on learning  lab of Building Arizona Co. in JA BizTown.  Building Arizona Co. – a construction process training program – developed by a local consortium and incorporated into JA BizTown, is a classroom and hands-on training program.

Children in grades 4, 5, and 6 receive an introduction to the construction process training that will excite them about a career in this field and enable them to make an educated choice on future career paths within the construction industry.

This program also increases awareness to the immediate support groups of parents, teachers and counselors that will act as stewards to students that wish to seek construction industry alternatives.

The program has the capacity to reach more than 25,000 students annually with over 45% minorities and 51% disadvantaged youth with a high potential of dropping out of school, as well as 5,600 parents and 1,400 teachers.

Award Winner 2009 -- Construction Career Center - St. Louis, Missouri

CCC is a testimony to the vision and dedication of the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis and the St. Louis construction community to increase the opportunities for under-represented minorities to work in the construction trades, pursue construction higher education, or find construction-related employment.  Starting with approximately 100 freshmen in 2001, the school has grown year by year, and in the 2008-09 school year was close to the target enrollment of 450 students.  The school's curriculum is designed to prepare students for employment, entrance into a construction apprenticeship training program, or further education at a community college or 4-year college.  Ths partnetship between the construction industry and the faculyt and staff at CCC is producing amazing results in the lives of its students, and is providing a model of this partnership that would benefit construction educators across the United States.

  Award Winner 2008 -- AGC of Kansas

AGC of Kansas, in collaboration with Kansas Contractors Association and the Topeka and Wichita chapters of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), created the Kansas Construction Careers Coalition (KC3).  KC3 focuses on promoting the vast and rewarding careers available in construction industry through participating in career fairs, high school construction programs and after school programs. KC3 formed the first Construction Learning Center of the Kansas State Fair, featuring free, hands-on activities for kids of all ages.

          Award Winner 2007 -- Joe Kimmel

Joe Kimmel is the President, CEO and founder of Kimmel and Associates.  A native of Nevada, Joe is a nuclear engineer, graduating from the University of Nevada at Reno.  He is a giving person, funding many scholarship opportunities in the construction industry, an industry which has given him so much -- he now give back.

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Dupree Construction Education Scholarship

The Dupree Construction Education Fund awards a $5,000 scholarship yearly to help with expenses for a candidate for an advanced degree in construction management with a desire for a career as faculty in an ACCE accredited construction management program.  Applicants must have been accepted in an advanced degre program in construction management in an institution with an ACCE accredited undergraduate program.

Dupree Construction Education Scholarship Application Form -- 2013

Applications must be received by ACCE no later than May 3, 2013.  Awards will be announced in August 2013.

Award Winner 2012 -- James Eugene Hogan

James Hogan Is a Doctorate candidate at Texas A&M University at College Station, Texas.  James left a tenure track position at Weber State University to pursue a doctorate in order to secure a leadershp position in academia at a research university.  He is interested in a career as a professor at a construction management program to prepare and motivate young people towards the many careers in the construction industry.  He also wants to perform research and service to advance the constructionprofession.

Award Winner 2011 -- Manish Kumar Dixit

Manish Dixit is working toward his PhD at Texas A&M University, where he received his Master of Science in Construction Management in August 2009.  His plans include teaching at the university level and developing and applying innovative teaching techniques.  Developing and establishing a nexus of interdisciplinary team that is focused on social, economic and environmental benefits of managing a construction project is his primary long term goal.

Award Winner 2010 -- Charles Nightingale

Charles Nightingale is continuing to seek his Master's Degree from Indiana State University, where he also received his undergraduate degree in construction management.  After graduation, Charles worked for Ryan Homes in Virginia.

Award Winner 2009 -- Justin Weidman

Justin Weidman is returning to Brigham Young University, which is where he got his Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, after working in the field for Shaw Construction.  His plans are to continue his education while pursuing a career in teaching.

Award Winner 2008 -- Jonathan Elliott

Jonathan Elliott is currently a candidate for a Master's Degree from Colorado State University.  He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Pennsylvania College of Technology and plans to receive his advanced degree in May 2009.

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Dupree Construction Education/National Housing Endowment Scholarship

The Dupree Construction Education Fund in conjunction with the National Housing Endowment awards a scholarship yearly up to $7500 to help with expenses for a candidate for an advanced degree in construction management with an emphasis on Residential Construction.    The applicant should have experience in residential construction and a desire for a career as faculty in an ACCE accredited construction management program.  Applicants must have been accepted in an advanced degre program in construction management in an institution with an ACCE accredited undergraduate program.

Dupree Construction Education/NHE Scholarship Application Form -- 2013

Applications must be received by ACCE no later than May 3, 2013.  Awards will be announced in August 2013.

Award Winners 2012 -- Ms Heidi Wagner

Heidi Wgner is currently working toward a PhD in Housing Studies at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul.  She mas a Masters Degree in Construction Management and Engineering from North Dakota State University.  She has a Certificate in Construction Administration and Project Management from Purdue University and an A.A.S. in Carpentry from Northwest Technical College.  Her future goals include wanting to teach in the field of construction management, as she enjoys researching, working in, and teaching about our built environment.  She looks forward to working in the academic setting, wanting to be part of a learning community where people find construction engaging and rewarding.

Award Winners 2011 -- James P. Smith

James Smith is currently working toward his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, after receiving his MS in Construction Management from Brigham Young University, as well as his BS in Construction Management.  In additional to his educational endeavors, James was a self-employed construction manager in residential remodels in Salt Lake City and worked as an employee of Silver Creek Development Group and Del Webb Corporation.  His future education goals are to become a tenured professor and work to build relationships of trust with fellow faculty members and industry professionals in order to maximize the benefits that can be gained from partnerships between the two.

Award Winners 2010 -- Eric Holt

Eric Holt is currently working on his PhD at Purdue University.  After working successfully in the Residential Construction field for many years, he has returned to education in order to fulfill his life time goal of teaching at the University level.  Upon completion of his degree program, Eric hopes to begin teaching at an ACCE accredited program with an emphasis on residential construction education and research.

Award Winners 2009 -- Charles Nightingale                                          Ben Bigelow

Charles Nightingale is currently seeking his Master's Degree from Indiana State University, where he also received his undergraduate degree in construction management.  After graduation, Charles worked for Ryan Homes in Virginia.

Ben Bigelow earned his undergraduate degree in construction science at Texas A&M University.  After working in the residential field for Centex Homes for several years, Ben returned to his studies at Arizona Stae University and Colorado State University.  He is currently seeking his Master's Degree from Colorado State University and plans to receive his doctorate degree in 2011.