The first annual East Brainerd Lumber and Supply Co., Inc. Fishing for the Future Bass Tournament held in May netted proceeds for The Associated General Contractors (AGC) East Tennessee Education Scholarship Fund.
“Traditionally the construction profession has not been well thought of. We wanted to be involved to show young people this could be a fun profession,” said Arch Willingham, Executive Vice President of T.U. Parks Construction Co. He spoke on behalf of AGC of East Tennessee.
A partnership including AGC, the Home Builders Association, the Chattanooga Chapter of Construction Specifications Institute, and East Brainerd Lumber & Supply made the bass tournament a reality. Money raised by the tournament is dedicated for the advancement of students interested in pursuing a formal education in the field of construction.
With a 62-year history of serving the building and construction industries in the Chattanooga area, East Brainerd Lumber & Supply recognizes the need for qualified industry professionals to lead Chattanooga into the future. The AGC of East Tennessee Education Fund helps future construction professionals with scholarships for qualified students attending The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Chattanooga State Community College who are enrolled in the Construction Management Program.
The Construction Management Program, formed in 2008, is a combined partnership between the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, Chattanooga State Community College and the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of East Tennessee. This “2+2” relationship offers a unique opportunity for students to earn a construction management bachelor’s degree. No other program like this exists in Southeast Tennessee.
“UTC and the College of Engineering are very happy to have East Brainerd Lumber & Supply, along with the top construction industry trade organizations, to promote our construction management program,” said Phil Oldham, Provost at UTC.
