While Steven Habben graduated from Purdue University more than 30 years ago, his professional life has kept him connected to campus. As president of Kettelhut Construction, he has been involved with building several structures on campus, including the Purdue Bell Tower, Dauch Alumni Center, Jischke Hall of Biomedical Engineering and the Lawson Computer Science Building, among several others.
He is involved in nearly all aspects of his company, which has been serving Greater Lafayette and beyond for 82 years. From selecting projects that fit the firm’s strengths to bidding and maintaining projects, Habben is proud to lead an organization that provides livelihoods for 75 employees.
Just as he is still affiliated with Purdue, two of his favorite professors continue to teach in the School of Construction Management. Wes Crawford and Zarjon Baha “guided me as a student and taught me many skills that I have utilized in my professional career,” Habben says. He has also been a guest instructor for the school, something he would like to be more involved with as he approaches retirement from his current role.
Habben and his wife, Doreen, have two grown sons and live in West Lafayette, Indiana.