Top CoSci students, faculty feted at department’s awards banquet

Texas A&M’s [Department of Construction Science] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/about/) honored its top spring 2011 graduates and faculty March 31, 2011, at its scholarship and awards banquet at the College Station Hilton.

Mustapha Khan , who earned a Bachelor of Construction Science degree, received the [Gene Murphree Outstanding Undergraduate Award] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/about/awards/GeneMurphree/) , sponsored by the Associated General Contractors’ Houston chapter.

Like the other honors announced at the program, Khan’s award, named in honor of Samuel Eugene "Gene" Murphree Jr. '47, was determined by a vote of faculty and fellow graduating students.

Christopher Kiss, who earned a Master of Construction Management degree, received the Outstanding Graduate Student award.

James January , who [died] (http://archone.tamu.edu/college/news/newsletters/spring2011/stories/January_death.html) in an automobile accident Feb. 19, 2011, was posthumously honored with the Cumberland Craftsman Award.

“James was my best friend at Texas A&M University,” wrote fellow construction science major George Lara-Maya in an [online memory book] (http://hosting-tributes-24744.tributes.com/condolences/view_memories/90820457?all=1) . “He was a loving individual who always found the best assets of people. He will be greatly missed.”

Established to honor Larry Cumberland, who earned a degree in architectural construction in 1971, the award is given to a graduating senior who has earned the respect of his peers by hard work, attention to detail, and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty to support others.

The graduating class also recognized faculty members David Bilbo , Robert Segner and James Smith as outstanding construction science educators.

Boong Yeol Ryoo earned the Research Excellence Award for his projects, which include “Web-based Construction Project Specification System” and "e-Portal for Construction Engineers: Integrated Construction Information Portal using 4-Tier Architecture.”

In recognition fior her support of students in all aspects of the construction science program, Debra Ellis, senior lecturer, was selected as Outstanding Student Advocate.