Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A new interdisciplinary degree program at Mississippi State is receiving support from a Ridgeland-based contracting firm and its founder.
Mike Harrell and Harrell Contracting Group LLC recently made a $50,000 commitment to the university's College of Architecture, Art and Design to provide funds for the new academic program in building construction science.
The bachelor of science curriculum was approved by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning in February. It is designed to prepare graduates for careers in construction or construction-related fields by drawing upon academic expertise within the colleges of Architecture, Art and Design and of Business and Industry, as well as the Bagley College of Engineering.
Harrell's gift to the program's advancement fund is in response to growing needs of the existing construction industry, as well as new enterprise developments throughout the Southeast.
"Ours is a very mature industry and efforts like those of Mississippi State to attract and educate new talent are appreciated by the entire construction community," said Harrell, company president since its inception in 1995.
"The new degree program will train students in the technical aspects of construction and build on the strengths offered through exposure to classes in MSU's architectural, business and engineering colleges," he added.
College Dean Jim West said the collaborative effort by three major MSU academic units is an innovative approach to educating the next generation of construction managers. "The process of design and construction is evolving at an unprecedented rate," he added.
"It is becoming increasingly apparent that effectively managing the construction process requires a broad understanding of the architectural and engineering aspects of construction science, as well as leadership and management skills," West explained.
The veteran administrator said recent surveys indicate the demand for new construction management personnel "is increasing by almost 10 percent a year and the new degree program will allow Mississippi State to be responsive to the needs of industry in our state and region."
In addition to helping recruit prospective students and meet the annual needs of affected student organizations, the Harrell gift will support faculty projects, special alumni events and annual publications. In addition, the new resource will help cover the costs of required technology systems, and hardware and equipment.
"We are very pleased to have the opportunity to offer our support for this program at Mississippi State University," Harrell said.
"I'm encouraging other corporations and individuals to do so as well, because I anticipate this program will produce well-rounded graduates who are ready for the many challenges of construction and contracting," he added.
Companies or individuals desiring to join Harrell in supporting the new program may contact Bennett Evans at 662-325-2542 or bevans@foundation.msstate.edu. Evans is development director for the College of Architecture, Art and Design.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.