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AGC Student Chapter
Department of Civil Engineering
Montana State University-Bozeman
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The Montana State University Student Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America was chartered in March 1985. Since its founding, the student chapter has provided students with the opportunity to broaden their views on construction, develop professionalism, and to allow students to participate in many relevant activities that are related to the field of construction. This has been accomplished through guest speakers at general meetings, construction-related conventions and competitions, various community service projects, and other social events that the chapter has attended or sponsored. Since the inception of the student chapter, it has been the goal of the officers and members involved to become the leading student organization at Montana State University, and nation wide. The key to this success has been the outstanding participation by the students and the tremendous support by the faculty and staff of the university.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that is currently building houses for low income families in the Belgrade area. When the chapter was contacted by Habitat for Humanity to see if we were interested in helping with the project the support was unanimous. Although the timing was poor for many of those who wanted to attend, the chapter was able to send eleven members to help for eight hours. When we arrived at the housing project all the exterior framing and plywood siding had already been completed, so they put us to work hanging sheet rock on the interior walls and ceiling. A local contractor was present during the event to provide guidance and assistance when necessary. Habitat for Humanity provided a lunch made by uture inhabitants of the house. The work provided good experience in the construction field and allowed many of the chapter members to ask the local contractor questions. Overall, the day turned out to be a great larning experience in laid back atmosphere. The chapter is planning on attending another Habitat for Humanity workday next semester.
Bowl For Kids Sake Every November members of the Montana State AGC Student Chapter participate in the Annual Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Gallatin County Bowl For Kids Sake. Bowlers form teams of five and raise pledges to help the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization. The money raised helps the organization match kids between the ages of 8 and 15 with a Big Brother or Sister that can give the child guidance through their adolescent years. The bowling teams not only raised big money for a great organization but also improved on their bowling games. This is an annual event for the club, and is looking forward to higher scores and bigger donations next year. Big Sky Wildcare Work Project Big Sky Wildcare (BSW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the treatment, rehabilitation and release of injured birds of prey. Included in this group is the threatened Bald Eagle, who is making a resilient comeback partially due to the efforts of groups like this one. The Montana State University AGC Student Chapter became involved and offered construction-related services. This was an opportunity for AGC members to use their construction skill in a real world situation. The work involved construction of a small wood framed structure to house educational birds and the design and installation of a retaining wall and stairs, which lead to BSWs flight barn. Recently the chapter installed two large doors separating the flight barn. The work involved basic carpentry skills. The retaining wall and stairs were laid out, excavated, and installed entirely by AGC student members. Students used railroad ties and a tractor, provided by BSW to construct the wall and stairs. By providing sevice to an organization like Big Sky Wildcare, the AGC Student Chapter at Montana State is helping to ensure that a species as noble as the eagle continues to make a valiant comeback for future generations to enjoy. All material costs were undertaken by BSW and the Student Chapter donated our labor. One of the most well known fundraising activities for the AGC is the end of the week sale of Hotdogs in Cobleigh hall. From 10:30 to 1:30, every Friday. Student members volunteer their time to man the Hotdog stand and enjoy the socialization with other students. The proceeds of the Hotdog sales go to the student chapter account in which the funds are used for the Reno Competition, student social activities and the Bill Olsen Scholarship. MCA Auction In addition to providing scholarships, the MCA members help support our chapter financially by participating in our annual MCA Auction. Each auction has approximately fifteen items up for sale. Many of these items are handcrafted by chapter members. Local businesses and friends of the chapter also donate items for sale. Profits are used to finance our participation in the Associated Schools of Construction Region VI Construction Management Competition in Reno, Nevada. Every February the student chapter participates in the Associated Schools of Construction Region VI- Construction Management Competition in Reno, Nevada. The competition allows four teams of six people to compete in a 16 hour estimating competition. The students compete in the following fields of construction: Commercial Building, Design-Build, Heavy-Civil/Highway, and Residential Building. Region VI consists of schools from Montana, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. This is a great experience for all students, seeing that they gain real life experience by estimating a project that has been built by the competition sponsor. The students must take-off quantities, problem solve, pick equipment and materials, schedule, and put a complete bid together in 16 hours. The next day of the competition the students must present orally to a panel of judges on their bid proposal and project construction.
Each Year AGC students members participate in the MCA Winter Convention. The convention gives members an opportunity to socialize with contractors from the area. In addition, members are able to attend Building, Concrete, and Highway Division meetings. The opportunities introduced the club to current problems that Montana contractors have faced and methods of solving these problems in the future. The setting allows both a social and professional interaction between contractors, suppliers, and students. The MCA allows our student president to give a short talk on chapter activities throughout the year and chapter goals for the year to come. This presents a good opportunity to inform the MCA of our chapter activities as they sponsor our chapter both educationally and financially. The AGC Student Chapter supports the Bill Olsen Scholarship. The scholarship was established in 1988 to recognize the support that William Olsen, previous executive director of the Montana Contractors Association, gave to the AGC Student Chapter. William Olsen was a very firm supporter of the Construction Engineering Technology (CET) program. He was also responsible for establishing the MCA auction, which is the largest fund-raiser of the AGC chapter. The goal of the AGC Student Chapter has exceeded the original endowment mark of $12,000 for this scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student chapter member. Along with the Bill Olsen Scholarship numerous other businesses and organizations award scholarships to chapter members. These scholarships award students for their hard work in the CET program. If you would like to join the club, learn more, or donate, please feel free to contact on of the below contacts: Penny Knoll, Faculty Advisor - Pennyk@ce.montana.edu or (406) 994-6139
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