Gift to university that has seen rise in enrollment in its construction management track
Gray Construction is providing a $2-million endowed gift to Eastern Kentucky University intended to support the university’s construction management program and strengthen the construction workforce pipeline.
The gift establishes an endowed professorship, funding a permanent faculty position in EKU’s construction management program. The endowed professorship will allow EKU to recruit and hire a new faculty member and ensure the role will remain in place in perpetuity, the company said in a statement.
The Richmond, Ky., university reports that program enrollment has increased 41% over the past two years, reflecting growing student interest and industry demand for skilled professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction management industry is expected to grow by 9%, much faster than the average for other occupations.
“We attribute our growth to program consistency, alumni word of mouth, and industry involvement,” said Justin Dodd, associate professor of construction management at EKU. “We’ve retained our faculty, cohesively made program improvements, and worked with our students to ensure that 99% of them have a placement within three months of graduation.»
The university also maintains industry connections, hosting about a dozen student and classroom events with industry professionals every semester.
The university said more than 90% of construction management graduates earn a median starting salary of $65,000.
“[This] marks the beginning of a broader effort to bring together alumni and industry partners in support of our students, expanding opportunities for scholarships, hands-on learning spaces and internships that ensure graduates are workforce-ready,” University President David McFaddin said in a news release.
Gray, which ranks at 36 on ENR’s Top 400 Contractors’ List, employs nearly 150 EKU alumni, with about 25% having begun their careers at Gray through internships.
“We’re extremely proud of this partnership and the role EKU has played in shaping so many of the people who make Gray what it is today,” said Stephen Gray, firm president and CEO, in a statement. “As we look ahead, we’re excited about what we can continue to build together, to create a stronger workforce for the industry and Kentucky.”
Chris Schumacher, an EKU construction management graduate and a business unit leader at Gray, said the program emphasizes real industry experience and preparing students for the future.
“To see Gray, the company I’m proud to be a part of, invest in the very program that helped shape my path—it really comes full circle,” he said.
