The students who’ll bring the future to Michigan’s construction industry were honored by the Associated General Contractors of Michigan at its 14th annual “Brightest & Best” luncheon at its Lansing headquarters.

2009 marks the 24th of the organization’s Education Endowment Fund, which has been working closely with civil engineering and construction management programs at universities and colleges throughout Michigan. Due to fundraising by AGC of Michigan members, since that time the fund’s principal balance has grown from $8,000 to more than $414,000.

“This has allowed AGC to award 83 scholarships totaling $148,500 from the interest earned on contributions,” said Kip Cunningham, chair of the AGC Higher Education Committee, from Cunningham Construction Company, Jackson. “To qualify for these scholarship awards, you must be a college sophomore or junior enrolled in a four year degree program in construction or civil engineering. The recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance, extracurricular activities, employment experience, financial need, and a demonstrated interest in a construction industry career.”

Raising money for the fund has been such events as the AGC of Michigan Golf Classic, which has generated more than $240,000 since it was first held in 1992. On Aug. 19th a classic was held at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth.

Six AGC of Michigan scholarships were presented at the 2009 luncheon, all valued at $2,000. They were:

• The O.L. Pfaffman Construction Industry Scholarship, a former AGC of Michigan president who has become recognized nationally as “Dr. Education” for his advancement of construction education and career development. It was presented to Amanda Lenox, a junior in the civil engineering program at Michigan Technological University.

• The Ed Boettcher Jr. Memorial Scholarship, awarded to Renee Eddy, a junior at Ferris State University in its construction management department.

• The Thomas E. Dailey Construction Leadership Award, given to Thomas P. Shanley, a junior in the construction management department at Eastern Michigan University. Shanley also received a national scholarship from the AGC of America this year.

• The Alton L. Granger Scholarship, which was awarded again to Andrew Bok, a senior in construction management at Ferris State University. He also won the scholarship last year.

• The Fred Auch Jr. scholarship was awarded to Megan Smith, a senior in Michigan Technological University’s civil engineering program.

• The H.L. “Bud” Conrad Memorial Scholarship, given to Nathanial Lyons, a construction management junior at Michigan State University.

Cunningham also recognized the AGC of Michigan’s summer work program.

“Since 1964, 601 students have received experience and a fellowship in addition to great networking opportunities,” he observed.

For more than ten years it has included both civil engineering and construction management students.

During 2009 it has opened doors at five contracting firms for 26 students. During their internships they’ve received a salary and, at the conclusion they will be provided a $1,500 fellowship to help defer book and tuition expenses.

The firms participating in the program are the Christman Company, Lansing; Clark Construction Company, Lansing; Granger Construction Company, Lansing; Pearson Construction Company, Benton Harbor; and Spence Brothers, Saginaw.

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