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Three students look ahead while also giving back

May 25, 2010

For students and alumni in construction management, they're trained to build and improve. They leave things better than they found them. They look ahead while also looking back.

Scholarship for future construction management students

It’s an organized approach built on professional success. For three Spring 2010 graduates, their connection here is not only professional, it is personal.

Brady Babbitt, Jeb Bair, and Terrance Unrein will soon start their own careers upon graduation. But before they leave, they are looking ahead while also giving back – by starting a scholarship for future construction management students.

Encourage others to get involved

Inspired by the philanthropic culture of the industry, Brady, Jeb, and Terrance hope their scholarship encourages students to get involved the way they have in the CM program. They see value in their own leadership opportunities:

• as student officers
• captains of competition teams
• Dean’s Leadership Council members
• representatives on University boards

Scholarship recipients themselves

It’s not surprising that Brady, Jeb, and Terrance are also scholarship recipients. “It would not have been possible to get so heavily involved in extracurricular leadership roles while maintaining a job through college. Scholarships directly enabled me to focus completely on my college pursuits,” Terrance explains.

Terrance hopes they pass along the same opportunities. “I want to help students be able to focus on involvement, in and out of the classroom. Because of the amazing opportunities we’ve had here, Brady, Jeb, and I landed great jobs after graduation, and it’s the right time to give back.”

Industry leaders' generosity inspirational

According to Jeb, it was during the recent dedication ceremony for the Preconstruction Center that they were inspired to start a scholarship. “We looked around at all of the industry leaders who came together to support us. We are constantly surrounded by their generosity, every time we step in Guggenheim or the new Center, every time we go to a competition. It really puts us in the mindset of giving back.”

Brady, Jeb, and Terrance decided on the scholarship criteria together. “We want to support heavily involved students,” says Brady. “This is how you stand out and build relationships with the industry, and ultimately get a great job. We hope to motivate students to become leaders.”

Originally published in the College of Applied Human Sciences Inspirations magazine, 2010.