Three cheers for Makayla Lusk! Makayla has been selected for the @vtmlsoc Service Award, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate her incredible impact on the MLSoC community. From representing MLSoC as a student ambassador and intern to supporting tours, classroom visits, and Industry Advisory Council meetings, Makayla consistently went above and beyond. Her behind-the-scenes work strengthened both the Building Construction and Construction Engineering and Management programs and made a lasting difference in the student experience. A leader in @bwic.vt and a familiar face at countless events, Makayla has built community wherever she shows up. Her dedication, leadership, and heart for service truly reflect the best of the Virginia Tech Myers-Lawson School of Construction. 👏
Congratulations to Zeke Shaffer, our Vecellio Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipient! A Radford, VA native and active-duty naval officer, Zeke is finishing his master’s degree in the Vecellio Construction Engineering and Management program and will graduate this May before continuing his naval career in Pensacola, Florida. From excelling in the classroom to serving on the VCEMP Graduate Student Council, Zeke’s leadership helped strengthen community and improve the graduate student experience. Well done, Zeke! 👏
Congratulations to Jonathan Showalter, a construction engineering and management student recognized with the CEM Outstanding Service Award for his leadership, outreach, and dedication to @vtmlsoc . Jonathan is a founding member of the Tech & Robotics in Construction club and a passionate advocate for MLSoC through K–12 outreach and campus engagement. From supporting large-scale projects as a project engineer intern with @dprconstruction to conducting research in construction automation and robotics, Jonathan is helping advance the future of the industry. Through his service, leadership, and mentorship, Jonathan is inspiring fellow students and future Hokies while helping shape the future of construction.
Congratulations to Anthony Nicotra, our 2026 Building Construction Outstanding Service Award recipient. A senior and lab manager of the BuildLAB, Anthony has made a lasting impact across the school. His contributions range from designing and building awards banquet centerpieces and donor gifts for the Hitt Hall dedication to teaching woodworking classes, leading 3D‑printing demos, and supporting the Solar Decathlon team. He has also trained fellow students in woodworking, digital fabrication, and safe machinery operation, while contributing to projects beyond the shop. Anthony is also a founding member of the Virginia Tech National Electrical Contractors Association chapter. Well done, Anthony! 👏
Robots, drones, and safety on the jobsite! In honor of @constructionsafetyweek , yesterday we joined @skanskausa at the @virginia.tech Mitchell Hall site to demonstrate robotic technologies that can help enhance construction safety. Automation & Robotics in Construction and Design Engineering (ARCADE) students shared hands-on demos with the crew, sparking great conversations about innovation and real-world safety. With Skanska’s support, the presentation was delivered in both English and Spanish to help fully engage the whole crew. We are grateful for the collaboration and the opportunity to learn from industry partners who put safety first. 🤖👷♂️
Meet Emma Kate Maxwell, the Outstanding Senior in Construction Engineering and Management. From Staunton, VA, Emma Kate found her home at @virginia.tech and in the CEM program, where she built strong connections with faculty, peers, and industry partners. A leader both in and out of the classroom, she served as a student ambassador, undergraduate teaching assistant, and president of @bwic.vt . Her favorite Hokie memory? Traveling to New York City with BWIC to attend the Groundbreaking Women in Construction conference and represent Virginia Tech. Next up: an accelerated master’s degree in building construction and science management, followed by a career in multifamily construction. Congratulations, Emma Kate! 👏
Congratulations to Ebenezer Olukanni, winner of the @vtmlsoc Outstanding Graduate Student Award! A Ph.D. candidate in environmental design and planning at @virginia.tech and a member of the Smart Systems Lab, Olukanni was recognized for his research excellence and contributions to advancing construction education and workforce development. His research focuses on immersive virtual training environments, AI, and preparing the construction workforce for human–robot collaboration. In 2025, he also received the MLSoC Certificate of Scholarly Recognition for his impactful and innovative scholarship. Way to go Ebenezer! 🎉
Meet Tyler Tierney, outstanding senior in building construction in @vt_engineering . From New York City to Blacksburg, Tyler found his place through @virginia_tech 's strong culture and the spirit of Ut Prosim. His favorite Hokie memory? Taking first place with @vtasc.heavycivil at the Associated Schools of Construction competition in Greenville, South Carolina, after months of preparation and teamwork. A team captain, student ambassador, and teaching assistant, Tyler focused his final year on mentoring others and giving back to the program that shaped him. Next stop: Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he’ll begin his career with @turnerconstructioncompany as an assistant superintendent/engineer. Congratulations, Tyler! 👏
After nine weeks of estimating, scheduling, and managing subcontractors, one team rose to the top in Thumm’s Integrated 3 class. Out of 22 teams, this group earned an award presented by the BuildLAB - an honor that will be passed down every year, Stanley Cup‑style. Congrats to the winning team and to all Integrated 1 - 3 students for an incredible semester 👏
Turns out measuring 20 inches takes skill and our students + faculty make it look easy 😅 This year, we’re celebrating 20 years of the Myers‑Lawson School of Construction. Together, we’ve built something extraordinary.
