Kennesaw State University’s Construction Management Fundraising Gala marked its 25th anniversary on Sept. 10 by continuing a longstanding tradition of support for students and the Department of Construction Management.

Held at Zoo Atlanta, the College of Architecture and Construction Management’s largest annual fundraiser raised a record $265,800. Organized each year by the Construction Management Industry Advisory Board, the event brought together industry partners, donors, faculty, staff, and students in support of student scholarships and the continued development of the construction management program.

“This year’s gala was a powerful reflection of the longstanding partnership between our Construction Management program and the industry professionals who continue to invest in our students,” CACM Dean Hazem Rashed-Ali said. “As we celebrated 25 years of this tradition, raising a record $265,800 demonstrated the tremendous commitment our partners have to supporting student scholarships, strengthening the program, and preparing the next generation of construction leaders.”

During the evening, attendees heard remarks from college leadership and members of the advisory board. The program also recognized former construction management leaders and longtime supporters of the department.

Special guests and top donors recognized during the gala included Chair Emeritus Khalid Siddiqi; Brian Moore, who previously served as chair of the department for four years; Tom Bradbury, of Smith Douglas Homes; Beth Lowry, of Holder Construction; Bree Pattillo, of the Guanasacte Foundation; and Brent Scarborough and Company.

The gala also recognized Kennesaw State’s National Association of Home Builders Student Competition Team, which won first place in the Custom Home Building category at the International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Florida.

“The KSU Construction Management Gala is really about investing in the future of our industry,” said David Stone, current chair of the Construction Management Industry Advisory Board. “Construction is a people business, and the students coming through KSU’s program will become our future project managers, superintendents, executives, business owners, and industry leaders. It’s encouraging to see so many companies come together—not as competitors, but as an industry—to support these students, the faculty who are preparing them, and the continued growth of KSU’s Construction Management program.”

The evening also marked a transition in leadership for the Industry Advisory Board as former chair Ryan Schlender passed the role to Stone.

“The record-breaking support demonstrated at this year's 25th Annual Construction Management Fundraising Gala sends a clear message: our industry believes in the future of Kennesaw State's construction management program,” Schlender said. “As we celebrated 25 years of partnership through the Construction Management Industry Advisory Board, we were proud to honor the faculty, advisors, and donors whose dedication has made this program what it is today.”

Schlender also highlighted Moore’s contributions to the department and the continued growth of the program.

“We were especially grateful for the opportunity to recognize Dr. Brian Moore for his role in strengthening industry engagement and positioning the department for continued success,” Schlender said. “The enthusiasm in the room made it clear that the next era of growth for the program is already underway.”