CEENVE Spring 2018 Newsletter

Transforming the Future of Industry
Cal Poly’s College of Engineering
and College of Architecture and
Environmental Design have launched
a unique partnership with Granite
Construction to create a more robust
pipeline of diverse Cal Poly graduates
skilled in both construction management
and civil engineering.
“This new partnership creates
a path forward for talented and
motivated students by helping
them overcome financial barriers
with the support of industry leaders
and future thinkers,” said James
Meagher, interim dean of the
College of Engineering. “It will
also bring together two of our
most reputable programs in a way
that will supply distinctively skilled
graduates to the industry.”
The Granite Heavy Civil Engineering
and Construction Program is a unique
cohort program, bringing together
students from both colleges. Under
this program, students in construction
management will have the opportunity
to become more proficient in heavy
civil engineering fundamentals, and
students in heavy civil engineering
will have access to more construction
management classes.
The uniqueness of the program is
furthered by a series of classes that
students in both programs will take
together. Students will complete at least
two internships during the program.
“With a Learn by Doing
atmosphere, coupled with
an excellent curriculum and
high standards for student
participation, Cal Poly has been
able to help place highly qualified
candidates throughout the Granite
organization,” said James Roberts,
president and CEO of Granite
Construction Inc. “We enjoy seeing
bright, energetic, hard-working
graduates coming out of the Cal
Poly programs who have the desire
to build careers and help Granite
succeed.”
Beavers Charitable Trust, having
endowed other professorships at
universities nationwide, joined Granite
by making a substantial gift to support
the Granite program at Cal Poly. Roberts
hopes others will follow Granite’s and
Beavers’ lead.
“This partnership between Granite,
Beavers and Cal Poly can be a
leading opportunity for corporations
and higher education institutions
across the country to partner going
forward as we build America’s
infrastructure,” he said.
Under the program, the Granite
Beavers Heavy Civil Engineering
and Construction Endowed Chair
will support one full-time faculty
chair with academic expertise and
professional background in the heavy
civil construction and engineering
sector. This role will provide leadership
for the program through an innovative
joint appointment to construction
management and heavy civil
engineering departments, and provide
increased mentoring opportunities for
students.
Granite Construction has always sought
to be impactful. Beginning with early
founders and those who built Granite bit
by bit, one theme remained: to impact
the world around them and the people
within it. That is where their support for
student success comes in.
“The idea behind the funds was
based on a couple of principles,”
explained Philip DeCocco, senior
vice president of human resources,
at Granite Construction. “Granite
is an industry leader, and as such,
we believe it is important to lead
by example, similar to the Cal Poly
Learn by Doing motto. It is also
important to us to have Granite’s
name and reputation tied to a topnotch
program like Cal Poly.
“Lastly,” DeCocco added, “Granite
is passionate about creating a
program where we partner with
Cal Poly. We want to ensure that
students who mirror the many
communities we serve across the
country have an opportunity to
succeed in our industry.”
14 Spring 2018 CEENVE.CALPOLY.EDU