Daphene Koch has been named Educator of the Year by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA). Koch, an associate professor in the Department of Building Construction Management, is faculty advisor to the Mechanical Contractors Association of Indiana student chapter at Purdue University.
Her student-backed nomination included several highlights of her commitment to students and the MCA group in particular. Her students detailed her many activities that help their group and majors succeed:
- Her involvement with the college's recruitment camps "has made it possible for more than 300 K-12 visitors to be introduced to mechanical construction every year."
- "Dr. Koch is always welcoming to any student in need of assistance, especially members of the MCA student chapter. She reviews resumes, writes reference letters, and encourages students to continually connect with industry."
- "This last year she included a mock career fair in her introductory class to assist the students in communicating with industry professionals."
- "Networking opportunities at the MCAA national convention with Indiana contractors helped students land jobs with companies who had not hired interns in the past. New opportunities occur each year due to the outreach that Dr. Koch continues to complete and establish."
The 2013 Educator of the Year Award was presented at the MCAA national convention in March.
MCAA served the needs of approximately 2,800 firms involved in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, pippin,g and mechanical service. The group includes the Mechanical Service Contractors of America, the Plumbing Contractors of America, the Manufacturer/Suppier Council, the Mechanical Contracting Education and Research Foundation and the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau.