SUU Programs Beneficiary Of Generous Gift From Hughes Contractors

Hughes General Contractors recently made a significant contribution of $150,000 to Southern Utah University (SUU), benefiting both the university's STEM Center and Construction Management program. The donation aims to foster interest in engineering and construction from an early age while supporting higher education.

Annie Simkins, Hughes General Contractors' director of marketing and business development, emphasized the company's commitment to nurturing enthusiasm for construction and engineering among youth. Having hired numerous SUU graduates, Hughes looks forward to a continued partnership with the university.

Part of the donation will enhance SUU's STEM Center by bolstering its STEM Library, a vital resource for K-12 educators across southern Utah. Dr. William Heyborne, dean of SUU’s Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Natural Sciences, expressed gratitude for the transformative impact of Hughes' support, which will expand the library's resources and accessibility.

Additionally, funds will be allocated to purchase material testing equipment for SUU's Construction Management program and establish the Hughes General Contractors, Inc. Construction Management Scholarship. This scholarship, available from November, will support students pursuing careers in construction management at SUU.

Dr. Jeffrey Miller, Dean of SUU’s College of Engineering and Computational Sciences, highlighted the significance of the endowed scholarship in advancing the Construction Management program, which trains students for leadership roles in the construction industry.

SUU's STEM Center for Teaching & Learning has been a beacon of STEM education in southern Utah, serving over 24,000 individuals in the past school year. Likewise, the Construction Management program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the construction industry.

Overall, Hughes General Contractors' generous donation underscores the importance of industry-university partnerships in promoting education and career opportunities in STEM fields and construction management.