Published Sept. 29, 2020
The University of Louisiana Monroe School of Construction Management received one
of its most generous donations to date from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for
Contractors and Contractor’s Educational Trust Fund with a check for $250,000 presented
to the ULM Foundation on Sept. 24.
PHOTO: The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and Contractor’s Educational
Trust Fund presents $250,000 to the ULM Foundation for the School of Construction
Management. Attending the check presentation were, from left, Andrew Barber, IAC president;
ULM President Dr. Ronald Berry; Art Farve, CETF committee; Vic Weston, CETF committee;
Jonathan Kernion, Louisiana AGC president; Garland Meredith, Louisiana State Licensing
Board; Mark Graham, CETF committee; and Trey Banks, IAC vice president. With this
gift, the LSLBC/CETF has donated more than $1 million to the School of Construction
Management.
Since 2014, LSLBC/CETF has contributed more than $750,000 for program development,
facilities, and equipment to the SCM. With this gift, the amount exceeds $1 million.
ULM President Ronald Berry, former Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences,
credited the LSLBC/CETF for new technology and improved SCM facilities.
“The improvements to our facilities and classrooms would not have been possible without
the contractors’ leadership and support. They have become a model for the rest of
the university when it comes to industry partnerships. Their commitment and support
has made a huge difference for our construction management program,” said Berry.
The LSLBC/CETF is committed to providing ULM students, faculty, and staff with the
tools needed to produce the country's finest construction management graduates.
“Contractors told us they wanted a world class construction graduate. To help us meet
their needs, they have invested in our program for many years. In addition to their
financial support, we thank them for their encouragement which has inspired us all
to do more,” said Berry.
Vic Weston representing the LSLBC/CETF said the organization is dedicated to investing
in education.
“These contractors are stepping up to the plate, and they are putting their money
into education,” Weston said.
The investment pays off in the caliber of ULM Construction Management graduates.
“What Ed Brayton sends us upon graduation is where we are going. It has improved the
industry so much. We keep reinforcing and working with universities,” Weston said.
Thanking the LSLBC/CETF were Peggy Lane, Ph.D., Interim Dean of CBSS, and Ed Brayton,
Ph.D., ULM Endowed Chair for the Contractor’s Education Trust Fund and director of
the School of Construction Management, and the ULM SOCM Industry Advisory Council.
Special guests included Rep. Francis Thompson, Rep. Foy Gadberry, Sen. Stewart Cathey,
Jr., Michael McDuff, Executive Director of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for
Contractors, Ken Naquin, CEO of the Louisiana Association General Contractors, and
Andrew Barber, President of the ULM School of Construction Management Industry Advisory
Council.
