The Louisiana Licensing Board for Contractors presented a generous donation of over $120,000 to Louisiana Tech University’s construction engineering technology program Wednesday, which was funded through a $100 fee that contractors pay voluntarily when they renew their licenses, to provide financial resources to support education. Dr. David Hall, director of civil engineering, construction engineering technology and mechanical engineering at Louisiana Tech, says that the contributions that made this gift possible will help Louisiana Tech upgrade infrastructure for the growing construction engineering technology program. “Funding from the contractor’s licensing fees has already allowed us renovate a room for construction engineering technology students, providing a space with computers and large wall-mounted monitors where students can meet to collaborate on senior-level courses,” he said. “This additional funding will be used to purchase advanced technology for our construction courses, providing students with software skills to manage modern design and construction data.” “We are extremely grateful to the leadership of the construction industry in this state,” said Dr. Hisham Hegab, dean of Louisiana Tech’s College of Engineering and Science. “Their support is enabling us to enhance our students’ educational experience and better prepare them for their careers in the construction industry. Their support also helps us to attract high quality students. We have seen a 20 percent increase in our construction engineering technology program’s enrollment this past year.” The construction engineering technology program at Louisiana Tech is one of only three accredited construction-based programs in the state and prepares graduates for management and supervisory positions for converting plans and specifications prepared by engineers and architects into finished facilities. Students within the program have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with trenchless technology as well as traditional, highway and heavy construction engineering technology. Written by Brandy McKnight – mcknight@latech.edu