CWU Construction Management Team One Of Nine To Place At Nationals

March 9, 2009

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The congratulations continue for Central Washington University's Construction Management Team. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) announced that Central's team is one of just nine nationwide to place at the National Student Championships at AGC's 90th Annual Convention and Expo, which was held in San Diego, Calif., this past week. CWU is the only school from Washington state to place at the national level.

Central's team competed in a two-day simulated construction project against teams made up of college students from all across the country. Each team was charged with successfully planning, scheduling and bidding on a simulated construction project.

Central's Commercial Team took second place behind Colorado State University. The team is made up of David Kortekaas, Marysville; Michael Crook, Spanaway; Garrett Gibson, Gig Harbor; Jake Wells, Pendleton, Ore.; Michael Yellam, Burien; David Igelmund, Medina and alternate Ian Knowles, Graham. CWU construction management professor Bill Bender coaches the team with support from industry coaches Sellen Construction, Ali Montgomery and Lanie Heikel; Ferguson, Ian McDonald; PCL, Dan Lapenski; Stacey Bankston and A.J. Silvers. Flatiron Construction Corp., Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and Turner Construction each sponsored one of the three divisions at the national event.

Central's construction management team earned a trip to nationals after receiving first place at last month's regional competition.

Media Contact: Bill Bender, CWU Industrial & Engineering Technology, 509-963-3543, benderw@cwu.edu

Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, 509-963-1416, olint@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of placebound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.