Published Oct. 5, 2021
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Contractors’ Education
Trust Fund presented a $250,000 donation to the ULM Foundation for the ULM School
of Construction Management. The organizations have donated more than $1.5 million
to contribute to the program’s growth. Pictured, from left, back row, are Sen. Glen
Womack, Andy Dupuy, Garland Meredith, and ULM President Ron Berry, and in front, SCM
Director Dr. Ed Brayton, Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences Dr. Michelle
McEacharn, and Vic Weston.
Siddharth Gaulee/ULM Photo Services
To date, the LSLBC had donated $1,142,000 to ULM's School of Construction Management,
and the CETF has given $400,000 plus funded a $1 million endowed chair
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors and the Contractors’ Educational
Trust Fund know graduates from the University of Louisiana Monroe School of Construction
Management are among the best in the world at what they do.
That is why the organizations visited ULM on Sept. 30, 2021, to present a check for
$250,000 to the ULM Foundation for the SCM. This marks the second year LSLBC and CETF
donated $250,000 to the school.
A check presentation and reception were held to thank the organizations for their
many years of support, which has allowed the SCM to improve facilities, technology,
and student experiences.
Guests included Vic Weston of LSLBC and CETF; from the LSLBC, Executive Director Michael
McDuff and Treasurer Andy Dupuy; from Louisiana Associated General Contractors, CEO
Ken Naquin, Operations Manager Michael Demouy, North Louisiana Regional Area Manager
Wes Mouk, and Past President and ULM alumnus Robert Billeaud; from the SCM Industry
Advisory Council Andrew Barber; and state Sen. Glen Womack.
“I want to thank all of you for being here and for your phenomenal support, said Michelle
McEacharn, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences. “We thank you
from the bottom of our hearts for everything that you do, which advances not only
the Construction Management program but the College of Business and Social Sciences
and ULM.”
Weston said construction is the engine that drives the economy, “ … and the students
that you turn out modernize the industry.”
Weston noted that the LSLBC had donated $1,142,000 to ULM to date, and the CETF has
given $400,000 plus funded a $1 million endowed chair.
“If you think we’re here brazenly giving you a check, we are here humbly giving you
a check,” Weston said.
SCM Director and CETF Endowed Chair Ed Brayton, Ph.D., said the school’s progress
through the years is thanks to the two organizations.
“We have spent that $1.4 million. Last year we finished up the atrium area, and we
also added an additional computer room. This year we’re looking at doing a pre-engineering
building that will be used for the construction practices area,” Brayton said. “We
have been able to do what we’ve done because of these private funds. We have really
turned this program around because of them.”
The SCM has a 100 percent passage rate on licensing examinations, and a 100 percent
placement rate, with most seniors accepting positions before they graduate. The starting
salaries of SCM graduates are the highest in the university’s undergraduate programs.
