GOLDEN, Colo. (Nov. 11, 2025) – A transformative $4.3 million gift from Kiewit Corporation and Bruce Grewcock is set to shape the future of construction education and workforce development at the Colorado School of Mines. The donation will establish the Kiewit Corporation Endowed Chair in Construction Engineering, supporting the university’s rapidly growing Construction Engineering program and strengthening its national leadership in applied engineering education.
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“This investment is exactly what we need at this time to accelerate the growth of our new construction engineering program,” said Paul C. Johnson, president of Colorado School of Mines. “We want it to quickly become one of the premier construction engineering programs in the world — known for its engagement with industry, its distinctive graduates and its contributions to the evolution of and impact of the construction industry. The new Kiewit Chair will attract the experienced and visionary thought leader we need to ensure our program attracts top students and is aligned with the current and future needs of the construction industry.”
The new endowed chair will serve as an academic and industry bridge, advancing teaching, research, and outreach efforts to serve the evolving needs of the construction sector. The chair will help guide Mines’ program in preparing future engineers to lead projects across infrastructure, energy, and advanced technology construction, fostering collaboration between academia and industry partners.
Kiewit Corporation and Bruce Grewcock, who currently chairs both the Mines Board of Trustees and Kiewit Corporation, emphasized that the contribution is an investment in long-term industry resilience.
“Kiewit and I are excited to provide this support to help Colorado School of Mines continue to guide and teach outstanding engineers who are prepared to make an immediate yet lasting impact in the construction industry,” said Grewcock. “Our industry is evolving rapidly, requiring new skills and pragmatic, real-world experience from those looking to build the world’s future infrastructure and energy projects. This program will play a notable part in helping Mines deliver on its goal to educate and equip the best engineering talent for the next phase of their lives.”
Launched in Fall 2023, Mines’ Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering was created in response to a surging national demand for construction professionals. With infrastructure spending accelerating under the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the industry faces an 8% projected job growth through 2031 — one of the highest rates across the U.S. workforce.
The program uniquely merges civil engineering fundamentals with practical coursework in project management, cost estimation, design, and field leadership. Students gain hands-on experience using robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D laser scanning, and digital construction tools to address real-world challenges of sustainability, productivity, and safety.
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Interest from construction companies in recruiting Mines graduates has already been so strong that the university recently expanded its Career Days to accommodate additional firms.
The Kiewit Corporation Endowed Chair in Construction Engineering represents a cornerstone investment in Mines’ broader vision to become the nation’s foremost leader in construction education and innovation. The endowed position will attract an experienced academic leader capable of forging deeper ties with the industry and expanding opportunities for research collaboration.
The university also issued an open call for partners across the construction and infrastructure ecosystem to join this mission, through support for faculty positions, scholarships, and applied research initiatives that further integrate real-world construction practices into engineering education.
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university in Golden, Colorado, dedicated to advancing applied science and engineering. The university is recognized for producing highly skilled graduates who drive innovation across sectors such as energy, materials, infrastructure, and technology.
Erich Kirshner
Mines Media Relations Specialist
Originally reported by GlobeNewswire in The manila Times.
