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۽ֱ School of Construction Management receives over $250K from La. Contractors

Published October 2, 2023

SOCM 2023

CAPTION: Representatives from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, the Contractors Education Trust Fund, and local members of the state legislative delegation attended the check presentation.


MONROE, LA– The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) and the Contractors’ Education Trust Fund (CEFT) presented a $254,300.84 donation to the ۽ֱ Foundation for the ۽ֱ School of Construction Management at a ceremony held September 28, 2023.

۽ֱ President Dr. Ron Berry thanked the groups for the donation and applauded their advocacy for the School of Construction Management’s students and faculty, as well as the construction industry. “It makes a huge difference when we’re all working together,” said Berry.

To date, the LSLBC has donated nearly $2.7 million to ۽ֱ's School of Construction Management, and the CETF has given $1.2 million plus funded a $1 million endowed chair that is now worth $1.9 million.

The many years of support from these organizations have allowed the School of Construction Management to improve facilities, technology, and student experiences.

“The construction industry in Louisiana does so much to give back,” said Michael McDuff, Executive Director of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. “The LSLBC is a vehicle for this donation. This is all coming from the leadership of the construction industry,” he added.

The LSLBC and the CETF know graduates from the ۽ֱ School of Construction Management are among the best in the world at what they do.

Dr. Michelle McEacharn, Dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences, noted an increase in Construction Management enrollment this semester and also thanked the LSLBC and CETF, saying “you have set an example for others.”

Dr. Clint Martin is the new Director of the School of Construction Management, stepping into the role on September 1. Martin said he hopes to use the donation to augment the program with more modern touches and continue to increase enrollment. “The big idea is to grow the program to where we’re meeting the needs of the industry,” said Martin.

Special guests at the presentation included State Representative Michael Echols, State Representative Foy Gadberry, State Senator Stewart Cathey, Jr., and State Senator Glen Womack.

The School 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 graduates are the highest in the university’s undergraduate programs.

To learn more about the School of Construction Management, please visit /cbss/construction/program/.