Fluor foundation to fund state- of-the-art BIM lab in Francis Hall

Construction science students at Texas A&M will soon be using a state-of-the-art building information modeling lab built with the help of a $250,000 gift from the [Fluor Foundation] (http://www.fluor.com/sustainability/community/fluor_giving/Pages/default.aspx) .

In the Fluor BIM lab, to be built in [Francis Hall] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/francis-hall/) , future home of the [Department of Construction Science] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu) , students will create 3-D building models to help them learn project execution principles related to cost, schedule, construction and project management and facility operation.

“The lab will ensure our graduates continue to acquire the highest level of knowledge and skill in this important area,” said Joe Horlen, department head. “It will prepare the department’s graduates to excel in positions at major construction companies across the nation that require knowledge of BIM implementation.”

The Fluor foundation was established in 1952 and funded by [Fluor Corporation] (http://www.fluor.com/pages/default.aspx) contributions and endowment earnings. Fluor delivers engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and project management services to public and private clients in diverse industries throughout the world and partners with Texas A&M and other universities to support the continued advancement of science, technology, engineering and math education.

Fluor executives and Texas A&M graduates John R. Richardson ’68, executive project director, Richard C. Meserole ’86, vice president, construction and Shawn R. West ‘88, vice president, energy and chemicals, have represented the company on the [Construction Industry Advisory Council] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/industry/) , which advises department administrators and faculty on contemporary construction issues and influences the department's strategic direction and course content.

The company, with a long history of supporting Texas A&M construction science students with endowed scholarships, also employs numerous former students, many of whom are committed to giving back to Texas A&M through service and generous donations.

Francis Hall’s renovation is scheduled for completion in fall 2014. For more information about the $8 million capital campaign to renovate the historic building, contact Larry Zuber, assistant vice president for development, Texas A&M Foundation, at l-zuber@tamu.edu or 979.845.0939, or Joe Horlen, head of the Department of Construction Science, at jhorlen@tamu.edu or 979-458-3477.