The University of Louisiana Monroe received a donation of $262,000 from representatives from the Louisiana Licensing Board for Construction Management (LLBCM) and the Contractors Educational Trust Fund (CETF). The money was donated to Louisiana Monroe’s School of Construction Management during a press conference on Wednesday.
Vic Weston of the Contractors Educational Trust Fund (CETF), and a long-time serving member of the LLBCM, made the presentation to Dr. Ed Brayton, director of the School of Construction Management, and Dr. Ron Berry, dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences.
ULM received a shocking surprise an additional $100, 000 was announced. Weston explained that the additional funds were generated through fines levied against unlicensed contractors.
“Fines don’t go into a black hole. They go into education. So, as an end result, the contributions this year, from the Contractor’s Educational Trust Fund, are $100,000. Next year, the industry will go to the legislator and ask for a $100 fee per license, which will in essence more than likely triple [the donation]. You are doing great work for our industry and at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about,” said Weston.
ULM Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Eric Pani, thanked the industry leaders for their continued support of ULM construction management students and faculty.
“This all goes into the students, into the faculty, into the program,” said Pani. “It’s an investment into the future. From the University, from Dr. Bruno, from the Foundation—thank you so much for the work that you do, for the gifts that you provide, and for the input that you give to the program through your contributions in the industry advisory council.”
