Connections

Issue 2 • Volume 3 • April 10

COMMUNITY

SMC Hosts College Students

Construction Management Students On Nov. 6, 2009, Southern Minnesota Construction (SMC) hosted a field-trip for 21 Minnesota State University – Mankato students in the construction management program. The day began with an informative lecture by Curt Wadd, estimator; Eric Soukup, project coordinator, and Eric Leverson, general manager. Together, they covered the estimating process and project management, gave an example of one of the company's current projects, and shared their personal stories and experiences in the construction field.

The students were given safety instructions and personal protective equipment and transported by bus to the nearby Kasota Quarry. Mark Redlin, aggregate manager, explained the geological overview of the quarry and crushing operations. Next, the students were split into two groups, one moving to the River Bend Asphalt location, where they toured the hot-mix asphalt plant and the quality control lab. The other group toured the North Star Pit, where they had the opportunity to operate a Komatsu WA500 loader, John Deere 650 dozer and an off-road haul truck. After the students completed both events, they joined together for an SMC-sponsored pizza lunch.

SMC employees left to right: Sam Tapar, Pat Kaiser, Sherry Eggen, Barb Moe, Angela Sorensen, Sheri Sargent, Sara Nowacki, Amy Marth, Rod Oachs, Stacey Hannover and Brian Fuhrmann

Later that day, eight members of the SMC office staff also were given the opportunity to tour the Kasota Quarry and North Star Pit to learn more about limestone excavation and crushing and wash plant operations. Like the students, they were able to operate the heavy equipment. Quarry supervisors Rod Ochs, Stacey Hannover and Brian Fuhrmann instructed the first-time operators.

IN THIS ISSUE