MANHATTAN — The Associated General Contractors of Kansas Student Chapter at Kansas State University in the GE Johnson Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science took 14 students and two faculty advisors on its annual winter break service project. 

Among those attending was Marissa Ober, senior in architectural engineering, from Alden.

This year’s trip was to Hammond, La., for five days in January, serving local residents left with damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida. 

Chapter members from K-State have organized and participated in these service work trips over the winter break for more than a decade, with the majority of previous trips coordinated through Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program.

“This trip was very rewarding for our group,” said Shannon Casebeer, assistant professor, Jim and Carolyn Grier construction science chair and faculty adviser for the Associated General Contractors of Kansas Student Chapter. “The opportunity to serve others while gaining hands-on experience on a variety of projects is great for everyone involved.”

The group had the opportunity to work with vinyl siding, rough carpentry framing, flooring, ADA ramps and electrical rough-ins. Students from freshmen to seniors participated this year, all gaining industry-related experience while helping a community still struggling to recover from Ida.

Accompanying Casebeer in a faculty advisory role was Ray Buyle, K-State associate professor and department head of architectural engineering and construction science, and Tointon construction management chair.