The CSULB College of Engineering will commemorate the creation of the Beavers Endowed Chair in Heavy Civil Construction on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. in the courtyard west of the Vivian Engineering Center (VEC) Building. Funded by the Beavers Charitable Trust and other major supporters, the Beavers Chair will promote interest in civil and construction engineering at CSULB, as well as strengthen the pipeline of highly skilled heavy construction practitioners.
The heavy civil engineering and construction industry employs nearly 1 million people across the country, and according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is one of the fastest-growing engineering sectors. Heavy civil engineering refers to the design and construction of highways, bridges, rail corridors, dams, and other infrastructure.
“We are grateful to the Beavers Charitable Trust for supporting the College of Engineering’s efforts to deliver highly qualified graduates possessing technical knowledge, understanding of modern business practices, and social concern,” said Forouzan Golshani, Dean of the College of Engineering. “We are also very grateful to Dean’s Advisory Council Member Ralph G. Larison, who spearheaded the campaign resulting in the creation of this new professorship.”
The Beavers Charitable Trust funded one-half of the $1 million endowment to establish the Endowed Chair in Heavy Civil Construction position within the College of Engineering. CSULB is the first university in California and one of only five in the nation to receive the grant.
The remainder of the endowment was funded with matching gifts. Major donors include: Beavers Charitable Trust, Casco Contractors Inc., Granite Construction, Griffith Co., Hensel Phelps Construction, Herzog Contracting Corp., Mr. and Mrs. Ralph G. Larison, Manson Construction Co., Moffatt & Nichol Engineering, Dr. and Mrs. Eric Nichol, Reyes Construction Inc., Sukut Construction Inc., Swinerton Foundation, Traylor Bros., and Turelk Inc.
Besides promoting interest in civil and construction engineering at CSULB, the Beavers Chair will also help develop and enhance partnerships with the heavy civil construction industry that will serve to provide hands-on learning for students, help shape curriculum and research, increase internships and provide scholarship funds. It will be occupied by a professional with extensive practical experience in heavy civil construction.
The Beavers Charitable Trust has given generously to the College of Engineering over the years and has an endowed Beavers Heavy Construction scholarship fund at CSULB. Founded in 1955, the Beavers is a social, honorary organization formed, organized and managed by construction companies and individuals who are involved in heavy engineering construction.
The purpose of the Beavers is threefold: to promote goodwill, friendliness and consideration within the heavy engineering construction industry; to give recognition to those men and women who have demonstrated particular skill, responsibility and integrity; and to encourage and support the entry of promising young individuals into heavy engineering construction.