Montana Tech AGC Heavy Civil Team Takes Second

Two Montana Technological University teams competed in the 2021 Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) region 6/7 annual construction bidding competition. Due to the coronavirus, the yearly in-person competition in Sparks, Nevada, was delivered in a virtual format.

The university's heavy civil team placed 2nd in the competition. The team was comprised of six juniors studying a combination of civil engineering and construction management. The team trained through the fall semester, focusing on learning various methods to construct heavy civil projects. The young team had only one individual, George Shick, with past competition experience. Schick, the 2021 team captain, competed in the 2020 competition, where the team earned 2nd place. The team members have a variety of construction experience through summer internships and family businesses. AGC ClubThe competition included 15 teams from universities in the Rocky Mountain region, including Montana State, Colorado State, Northern University of Arizona (3rd place), Brigham Young University (1st place), and the University of Alaska. The Montana Tech team included Colton Eliason, Logan Kolodejchuk, Archie Lind, Brock MacDonald, George Shick, and Brent Tezak. The team was given the Kiewit-sponsored problem of closing a landfill in Hawaii.

AGC Club brings home honors
Members of the Montana AGC Heavy Civil Team in Lance Leadership Hall and their advisors. Back row from left to right: Scott Rosenthal, Archie Lind, Brock MacDonald, Colton Eliason, Logan Kolodejchuk, Brent Tezak, George Shick, Henry Lugo. Front row from from left to right: Stephanie Cook, Sonya Rosenthal, Maria Ralph, Matt Egloff, and Andy Anderson.

The second Montana Tech team competed in the project management category. This open category saw competition from 13+/- universities across the United States such as Texas A&M, University of California/Berkeley, Santa Clara University (2nd), Oregon State University (3rd), Illinois State University, California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (1st). This is the first time Montana Tech competed in this category, and the club is excited to compete in this category in the future.

The category matches many of the courses available at Montana Tech and our students' future careers. Team members included Jarod Howell, Henry Lugo, Vincent McCann (captain), and Maria Ralph. The team members are studying civil engineering or construction management. This team, even down two members, brought their past competition experience to the table. Two members had competed in 2020, and two were competing for their 3rd year. The team enjoyed the DPR Construction-sponsored problem, and each gained valuable career experience.

AGC Club Advisor, Sonya Rosenthal, gave a shout out to the students who went above and beyond to compete in this new virtual environment. "Each of the students gave 110% to represent themselves and Montana Tech. This experience will give each of them an extra edge in their career."

AGC has been a valuable learning experience for me. Some of the things I have learnedin competition can not be taught from a textbook and I feel I have come away with knowledge of the industry that I would have missed out on by not being in AGC. I am thankful for the sponsors (past and present) who have dedicated their time to mentor and motivate us. Without their guidance, I know we would be lost in the process of getting ready to compete.

Maria Ralph, Montana Tech AGC President

The AGC club at Montana Tech is open to all students in any major interested in learning about the Construction Industry. The teams include a mix of students in two-year and four-year programs from Montana Tech's North and South campus, a unique strategy that has strengthened the teams.

The AGC Club is already making plans and preparing for next year's competition, with hopes of being able to travel to Reno. They are very thankful for the industry partners, alumni and friends that support the club each year. If you are interested in supporting the Montana Technological University AGC Student Chapter you can do so here.

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