The AGC Education and Research Foundation gives two prestigious awards annually, one to an educator who exemplifies excellence in the field of construction education, and the other to a senior-level student who submits the winning essay in the James L. Allhands Essay Competition. AGC would like to congratulate the 2025 Outstanding Educator Larry Fickel from the Texas A&M University as well as the James L. Allhands Essay winner, Chloe Kildea from East Carolina University. For more information on our award recipients, and to view the top three winning essays click here
Outstanding Educator Award
Larry Fickel
Texas A&M University
Since 1985, the AGC Education and Research Foundation has recognized annually an educator who makes a significant mark in the field of construction education. The Outstanding Educator award is based on a nominee’s academic contribution as well as his/her work with students outside of the classroom and involvement with colleagues in the industry.
The qualified applicant must be a full–time teaching faculty member of a university construction management or construction–related engineering program or with an institution–approved construction option. Nominees must have at least four years full–time teaching experience. Example of successful nomination.
The Outstanding Educator receives a $5,000 cash award and may name two students as recipients of $2,500 scholarships for the coming academic year. In addition, the recipient will be invited to the annual AGC convention as a guest of the foundation.
Nominations will be accepted beginning July 1, 2025 and the deadline to apply is November 15, 2025. The Outstanding Educator is notified in February and the award is presented at the AGC Annual Convention.
James L. Allhands Student Essay Competition
Chloe Kildea
East Carolina University
The James L. Allhands Essay was established by the late James L. Allhands, one of the founding members of AGC and a prolific writer of construction related works. The award recognizes a student essay on a specific topic that is deemed to be beneficial to the advancement of technological, educational, or vocational expertise in the construction industry.
The competition is open to any senior–level student in a four or five–year ABET or ACCE–accredited university construction management or construction–related engineering program.
The First Place essay author receives $1,000. His/her faculty sponsor receives $500. Both the recipient and sponsor are invited as guests of the Foundation to the AGC Annual Convention.
The topic for the 2025 Allhands Essay Competition is: "The Role of Ethics in the Construction Industry".
The application for 2025 will open July 1 and the deadline to apply is November 15, 2025. The winner is notified in February and the award is presented at the AGC Annual Convention.
