Wednesday, September 2, 2026
The M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management welcomed its incoming junior class Tuesday with one of its most recognizable traditions: the annual hard hat ceremony. As juniors, affectionately known as “J1’s,” received the hard hats that mark an important milestone in their construction management education, they also gathered for the school’s annual Welcome Reception, where they were introduced to the people, programs and opportunities that will shape their experience at UF.
“Tonight is a very special night and one of the most exciting nights of the year,” said Dr. Robert F. Cox, director of the Rinker School.
Sponsored by Weitz, the event brought students together with faculty, industry representatives and student organizations for an introduction to the faculty, networking chances and experiences that help shape the Rinker family.
The evening began with dinner by Sonny’s and the newest batch of J1’s gathering in a large classroom to learn about the different student organizations within the school. Several clubs participated, including Gator Safety Professionals (GSP), the UF Student Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), the UF Student Chapter of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the UF Student Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Students were able to walk around and learn about some of the opportunities each club offered.
Cox then formally welcomed students before introducing Erik Bernal (BSBC ’13) and Carl Conley from Weitz, who gave students an opportunity to hear from an industry partner early in the academic year.
“It is always a great opportunity to come back and give back to the school that gave so much to my education and career,” said Bernal, who discovered Weitz as a construction management student at a Rinker Career Fair and has worked for them ever since.
Conley, a project engineer at Weitz, added, “There are a lot of great people I work with who graduated from Rinker, so we know there is a lot of potential from these students.”
Following a presentation of the history of Rinker by Senior Lecturer Dr. Eileen Pesantes-Tavares, the program continued with faculty highlighting opportunities for students to gain experience both inside and outside the classroom.
Assistant Professor Dr. Jim Sullivan discussed internships along with the school’s Australian Exchange Program. Students also learned from other professors about international opportunities through exchange and study abroad programs in Germany, Italy, Peru, Japan and Ireland.
Financial and career resources were another important part of the evening. Sullivan discussed scholarship opportunities, while Rinker Events Manager Heather Rene Clayton went over next week’s Career Fair and the professional connections it can offer students as they prepare for careers in construction management.
Following a formal presentation by each student organization, the reception continued with the distribution of Rinker gear and safety equipment, including the cherished hard hats, safety glasses and vests. Students then gathered for a group photo before continuing the evening with club activities.
By bringing together students, faculty, industry representatives and student organizations, the welcome reception offered a broad introduction to the Rinker experience and the many ways students can become engaged in the school from the beginning of the academic year.
“I chose Rinker because it’s the top construction management program in the country,” incoming junior Josh Albanos said.
For Rinker students, the new academic year is already underway. The welcome reception provided an opportunity to start it together.
