Autodesk, an industry leader in changing how the world is designed and made, signed a $300,000 gift agreement with the University of Florida this past Wednesday on campus. The gift will be evenly split between the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning and the UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering.
At 17 years old, a tall, skinny boy from Richmond, Virginia took the advice of his father and traveled down to the University of Florida with dreams of winning championships for UF Head Golf Coach Buster Bishop.
In October 2018, M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management Associate Professor Dr. Masoud Gheisari received a grant from the National Science Foundation to figure out how his students could safely learn on construction sites. After all, with more than 150,000 total cases of nonfatal injuries on construction sites annually, the top priority for Rinker students is safety. The problem further deepened in 2020 once the reality of the COVID-19 global pandemic hit.
Last month saw another crop of students present their visions and vie for the grand prize of the Witters Competition, which was established in 1993. The competition was endowed by Col. Arthur G. (BSBC ’41) and Beverly A. Witters for an interdisciplinary academic competition to foster better understanding among design, construction, planning and engineering students.
Just how in demand are students from the University of Florida M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management?
Nearly 300 recruiters invaded the Stephen C. O’Connell Center this past Tuesday trying to lock down more than 225 Rinker students for full-time jobs and summer internships.
As it does every year, the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning hosted the Bartow Academy of Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Nov. 4 at the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management. Sponsored by Polk County Public Schools, the ACE Academy focuses its educational efforts on the teaching and interconnectivity between architectural drafting, construction management and electrical engineering. More than 45 students from Bartow High School were able to learn, connect and network with several DCP faculty members and staff.
Artificial intelligence and its role in the residential construction industry was the main topic of the 2022 Residential Summit, hosted by the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management. The biannual event, which took place for the third time Sept. 23, 2022, inside the Florida Room of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, featured University of Florida students learning from and networking with dozens of UF alumni currently working in the residential industry.
The annual M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management Fall Career Fair was one for the books this year. In the past, the career fair has taken place on the floor level of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. This year, there were so many companies at the fair, the venue had to utilize the Tom and Jane Johnson Family Atrium in addition to the main floor level just to accommodate everyone. With a record-high 116 companies, Rinker students had the opportunity of a lifetime to speak with so many great companies.
Imagine a project design in 2019, just before everyone’s world changed due to the global pandemic. Now imagine the design of a hospital, one of the most sophisticated construction projects out there. Needless to say, adjustments have been made over time as builders confront this brave new world.
Designed to benefit students at the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management and reduce the 150,000 annual injuries on construction job sites, the brand-new Safety Yard at the University of Florida TREEO Center officially opened this past Friday, April 1. Collaborating with the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning were the Kiewit Corporation, Santa Fe College, Charles Perry Partners, Inc. and the UF Office of Professional and Workforce Development.
