Kokosing Inc. has announced a major philanthropic investment in The Ohio State University aimed at strengthening Ohio’s construction workforce pipeline and expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students pursuing careers in the industry.
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The gift establishes the Kokosing Construction Management Program within the university’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), helping support students, faculty leadership, and upgraded classroom and laboratory facilities focused on construction management education.
“With vision and leadership, Kokosing is making a tremendous investment in our people — our faculty, students and future alumni — that will shape our opportunity to develop the workforce of tomorrow here in Ohio for generations to come,” said Walter “Ted” Carter Jr.. “Together, we will create a hub where academic excellence meets industry relevance, forging a collaboration that could set a new national standard.”
The initiative reflects growing collaboration between construction companies and universities seeking to address ongoing labor shortages in the industry. The Kokosing Construction Management Program will be offered in partnership with the Ohio State College of Engineering and will operate across the university’s Columbus campus and the Ohio State ATI campus in Wooster.
“It is an honor and privilege to support The Ohio State University and its students through the naming of the Kokosing Construction Management Program,” said Brett Burgett. “We want to be a leader in building the workforce of tomorrow with a goal of inspiring current and future Buckeyes to solve construction’s toughest challenges and improve the quality of life in our communities.”
Approved by the university’s Board of Trustees on March 5, the program prepares students for careers in commercial, heavy and residential construction.
The gift will support several initiatives designed to enhance the program and provide students with stronger connections to the construction industry. These efforts include establishing an endowed chair to recruit a nationally recognized faculty leader, increasing scholarship opportunities and expanding applied learning experiences such as internships and field training.
Funds will also be used to upgrade laboratories and classrooms with modern tools, industry-standard software and advanced construction technology.
“While updating classrooms with new tools and technology is critical, our mission is to also provide real-world, hands-on experiences that prepare students to become the next generation of industry leaders,” said Brian Burgett. “I am pleased to pay forward to my alma mater and create a pipeline of workers that keeps Ohio at the forefront of the construction industry.”
The philanthropic commitment builds on a decades-long relationship between Kokosing and Ohio State, with the contractor contributing to several major campus construction projects.
Past work includes the expansion of Ohio Stadium from 1999 to 2001, concrete work for the Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC), infrastructure improvements at the McCracken Power Plant, and construction of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex.
The company also contributed to CFAES projects including the Multispecies Animal Learning Complex and related dairy facilities.
“Kokosing’s investment directly advances our land-grant mission and our purpose of ‘We sustain life,’” said Cathann A. Kress. “By connecting students to hands-on learning, real projects and industry mentors, we are preparing graduates who can design, build and manage the infrastructure that supports Ohio’s food system, environment and economy.”
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Students enrolled in the program will have multiple academic pathways. They may begin with a two-year program at Ohio State ATI and later transition into the university’s four-year program in Columbus, or enroll directly in the bachelor’s program through the Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
The expanded curriculum will include coursework in soil mechanics, structural systems, heavy construction methods, risk management, and advanced scheduling and estimating.
In addition, the partnership will support internships, co-op programs and field-based learning tied to major infrastructure sectors such as transportation, utilities, manufacturing, agricultural facilities and environmental treatment systems.
University leaders say the collaboration will help ensure that future construction professionals graduate with both technical expertise and real-world experience needed to address complex infrastructure challenges across Ohio and beyond.
Originally reported by Ohio State News.
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