Choosing Purdue for its rigorous program, Claude Powers gained a platform to develop the skillset he still uses in his career today.
“At the Purdue Construction Technology Department, I found a staff of quality instructors with sound construction experience to draw from, and a course curriculum that included business management, business and contract law, engineering as well as construction management,” Powers says. “The program seemed to be designed to allow a more expansive field of study of the construction industry, which in turn produced a more versatile graduate.”
The plan of study covered many specialized areas of study and Powers says that at many points in his career, he’s used the knowledge gained from each of those courses.
In addition to the curriculum, Powers says he was always inspired by the department founder, Professor Dorsey Moss. “Although he was the department head, he was never too busy to listen to and share his wisdom with his students,” he said. “I still pass on some of the tricks of the trade that he taught me.”
Looking to the future, Powers would like to spend more time mentoring and developing opportunities for under-served communities. “I intend to support and mentor our next generation of leaders as we focus on strengthening and growing our brand.”
This profile was written for the Distinguished Technology Alumni Award program in 2015.