• WCU contracted with Dr. Bradford Sims (who was employed at the University of Florida) to write the plans to establish a B.S. program in construction management.

2002/2003 

• Dr. Sims (Ph.D., Purdue) joined the WCU faculty and developed the CM program curriculum. By May 2003, 50 students had declared majors in CM. CM was one of four undergraduate programs in the Department of Engineering Technology.
• The Construction Management Club was founded.
• Dr. Sims had the program join the Associated Schools of Construction.
• A 20-member Industry Advisory Board, representing regional and national companies, was established by Dr. Sims and held two meetings. The Board developed the CM mission statement (below).

Mission Statement:

As a regional comprehensive university, the mission of the construction management program is to educate students to be ethical, motivated and professional leaders in the construction industry, the community, and society.

Goals:

1. To provide a continually improving and advancing undergraduate curriculum that prepares students to be future leaders in the construction industry.
2. To provide students a medium to participate closely with industry through such processes as student organizations and internship opportunities.
3. To provide an education that involves students in opportunities of service learning.
4. To provide service and outreach to the local, regional, and national construction industry and construction associations.
5. To provide faculty opportunities for continued professional growth.

2003/2004

• Mr. Luke Nicholson (M.S., University of Florida) employed.
• First Construction Management Career Fair was coordinated by Dr. Sims; 8 companies attended.
• 90 declared majors by May 2003.
• Dr. Sims designed the cat-with-the-hardhat logo for the program.

2004/2005

• Dr. Carol Woodson (Ph.d., University of Florida) and Dr. Craig Capano (Ph.d., Marquette University) joined the faculty.
• August 2004 started off with 140 declared CM majors
• Dr. Sims submitted the initial accreditation documentation and the BS program received American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) candidate status Fall 2004.
• The first student competition team was sent to the AGC/ASC regionals by Dr. Capano.
• Dr. Sims applied and received approval to start the Sigma Lambda Chi - International Construction Honor Society at WCU. Dr. Woodson became the faculty advisor and inducted the first members.
• Dr. Sims developed the online Master of Construction Management program (MCM); this was probably the second complete online program in the US.
• Dr. Sims took the first WCU students to the Mechanical Contractors Association Student Summit at the Trane Corporation Headquarters.
• First 8 CM graduates of the program graduated in December 2004.

2005/2006

• Mr. Gary Burke (M.B.A., Southern Methodist University) and Dr. Ronald Mau (Ph.D., University of Kansas) joined the faculty.
• 225 declared undergraduate majors and first 10 graduate majors by fall 2005.
• Dr. Sims and Dr. Capano met with Kimmel & Associates (a construction industry executive search firm). Mr. Joe Kimmel was so impressed with the program that he agreed to a $10.4 million donation for CM program support, scholarships and endowed professorships. This was the largest donation in the history of the university.
• The Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology was established.
• Two student competition teams were sent to the AGC/ASC regionals

2006/2007

• Dr. Donald Jensen (L.L.M., University of Miami & Ph.D., Texas A&M University) and Dr. Ron Miers (Ph.D., SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry) joined the faculty
• 351 undergraduate and 16 graduate students enrolled in fall 2006
• The Department of Construction Management was established within the Kimmel School on July 1, 2006; Dr. Sims was appointed as department head.
• Prof. Gary Burke and CM students designed and built the current departmental offices in Belk 211 during the summer of 2006.
• Three student competition teams were sent to the AGC/ASC regionals lead by Dr. Capano, Dr. Jensen, and Dr. Miers.
• Prof. Burke took the first WCU students to the National Association of Home Builders conference in preparation of next years competition.
• Dr. Sims and Dr. Capano took the first WCU students to the National Conference of the Associated General Contractors in Texas.
• First 4 Master of Construction Management students graduated 8/07.

2007/2008

• Dr. Jack Patterson (Ph.D., Heriot-Watt University), Dr. George Ford (Ph.D. Western Carolina University) and Mr. Andrew Sapienza (M.C.M., Western Carolina University) joined the faculty. Dr. Capano left WCU to become department head at the Wentworth Institute of Technology.
• 368 undergraduate and 33 graduate students enrolled in fall 2007.
• Dr. Sims completed the full self-study for ACCE accreditation; submission date spring 2008.
• Dr Sims organized the largest Construction Management Career Day event to date in fall 2008 that attracted 31 companies.
• Two student competition teams were sent to the AGC/ASC regionals in Jacksonville, FL lead by Prof. Ford and Dr. Miers and the first student home building competition team will be sent to the NAHB nationals in Orlando lead by Prof. Burke.
• The May 2008 graduating class is expected to be the largest to-date with close to 40 graduates.

2008/2009

• Mr. Robert Ford (MS, Texas A&M University - Commerce), Mr. Doug Kinard (M. Arch. Clemson University) and Mr. David Martin (M.S., Virgina Tech.) joined the faculty. Mr. Andrew Sapienza left WCU to become a corporate trainer for Kiewit.