The Construction Education Foundation Chair

The Construction Education Foundation (CEF) was formed in the early 1970s to provide advice and a funding vehicle to supplement university support for OSU's Construction Engineering Management program. After a successful history of supporting scholarships, job-placement assistance programs, professional associations, and technology and equipment, the board of directors turned its attention to creating an endowed professorship.

Aiming for a $1.5 million goal, which was achieved in 1998, the endowment campaign was launched with gifts from the following industry leaders: John Compton, J.C. Compton Contractor; Andy and Sandy Andersen, Andersen Construction, Inc.; Martin and Judy Kelley, retired, Kiewit Co.; Edward and Dollie Lynch, retired, Kiewit Co.; Dale and Donna Pence, general contractor; and Donald and Grace Hall.

The Construction Education Foundation Chair brings industry experience to OSU's Construction Engineering Management program. Holders of the CEF Chair provide in-depth teaching, research, and leadership in areas critical to the construction industry, including topics on optimizing construction methods and materials, linking of technical and non-technical areas, implementing and practicing ethical issues, building safely, and developing and implementing advanced management and engineering techniques.

David Trejo

David Trejo became the holder of the Construction Education Foundation Chair in September 2009.

Previously a civil engineering professor at Texas A&M University, Trejo conducts research focusing on the design and development of materials and systems for efficient construction processes and products.

He has significant background in investigating, testing, assessing, and evaluating mechanisms of deterioration of various material and structural systems, including pipes, walls, foundations, bridges, water tanks, and other structures. Among many other applications, he developed refractory materials for NASA's launch complex.

Trejo earned bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley with minors in electrochemistry and materials science.