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March 15, 2012

ULM construction students place at prestigious regional design competition

University of Louisiana at Monroe construction students scored major wins at the 17th Annual TEXO/Associated Schools of Construction Student Competitions in Dallas, Texas, Feb. 20, outscoring teams from Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, and Louisiana Tech University.

The ULM Design-Build team, consisting of Amelia Mixon, Monroe; Holten Elmore Monroe; Daniel Norman, Conway, Ark.; Albert Stevenson, Jonesville; Jared Gallien, West Monroe; and James Waldron, Freeport, Fla., placed third in their category and received a $500 prize.

The team was given 16 hours to design, estimate and schedule an interpretive nature center in Dallas while competing with schools in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. Norman placed third in the Best Presenter category in connection with the project.

Coach Charles "Bill" Cook praised the teams' performance. "We are especially proud that our team, with three freshmen, was able to compete with other schools' teams consisting mostly of graduating seniors. It is a positive reflection on the leadership our older students provided in this competition."

The Design-Build division competition was sponsored and judged by Ft. Worth-based Sedalco Construction Services, a 25 year-old-company specializing in Design-Build projects.

The ULM Heavy-Civil team, consisting of Louis Tolliver, Winnsboro; Dolph Minard, Kelly; Robert Baskind, West Monroe; Wes Mouk, West Monroe; Jonathan Lipsey, Monterey; and William Crowe, Oak Grove, placed second in their category and received a $750 prize.

After receiving a set of specifications and drawings, the team was required to establish a schedule and then estimate and complete the bid documents in addition to supplying answers to more than 30 contract questions – all in a 16-hour time span.

ULM Heavy-Civil Coach Professor Hollis Bray stated, "I am proud of my team's performance. This showcases the talent and work ethic of our students."

The Heavy-Civil competition was sponsored by McCarthy Building Companies, one of America's oldest private construction firms and ranked in the top 10 of U.S. commercial builders.

TEXO is the largest commercial contractors association in Texas, with over 1,900 members.

The Associated Schools of Construction is the international association representing the interests of both academic and industry professionals interested in institutional construction education.

The ULM School of Construction Management, in the College of Business, was established in 1966 and was the first accredited construction program in the U.S.

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