Dr. Al Hauck has dedicated his time and passion to construction education through his service to ASC and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Al is a Professor Emeritus and was the longtime Construction Management Department Head. He holds a Ph.D. in Technology Education and is credited for his long, distinguished career as an innovative and successful educator. He previously served on the Board of Directors for ASC as director of the Northeast Region.
Al is richly deserving of this prestigious award, which honors an individual who has made significant lifelong contributions to construction education. The award recognizes the exemplary efforts of individuals who have worked throughout their careers to develop and advance construction education by sharing ideas, knowledge, inspiration, guidance and the promotion of excellence in curricula, teaching, research and service.
Before joining academia in 1979, Hauck worked three years in the trades and later returned to industry for six years as a Senior Project Manager. In all, he spent 40 years in higher education, teaching, mentoring and advising students. He was hired to lead the CM Department in 2002. He served as department head and professor for 17 years and continued to teach five more years in retirement.
When he learned he won the award, Hauck said he was “both surprised and honored” and he quickly gave credit to others.
“The award is focused primarily on my years of service at Cal Poly,” Hauck explained. “In that way, I believe it is a recognition of the successes of all the students, faculty, staff and industry supporters in the CM department. My achievements would not have been possible without their dedication and professional efforts. I appreciate all of them.”
Jeong Woo, current head of Cal Poly’s Construction Management Department, nominated Hauck for the annual award, and several colleagues, alumni and industry professionals lent their support as well. “Al is a highly respected leader in construction education as well as a trusted mentor and friend,” Woo said. “He led the development of an integrated construction management curriculum at Cal Poly — a model that aligned coursework with real-world project phases and redefined how CM is taught.”
“From coaching student teams to helping shape national accreditation standards, his influence runs deep,” Woo said. “His advice has shaped so many leaders, including myself, in more ways than I can count.”
John Schaufelberger, Dean Emeritus at the College of Built Environments, University of Washington, was another enthusiastic supporter of Hauck’s nomination for the award, writing, “Al Hauck had a long and distinguished career in construction education as an innovative educator and leader who inspired many students to pursue careers in construction and mentored many young faculty members in their pursuit of excellence.”
Former Cal Poly faculty colleague, Barbara Jackson, also wrote in support of Hauck’s nomination. She lauds his esteemed academic career. “I had the privilege of working with Dr. Hauck at numerous levels starting way back when I was a graduate student at Colorado State University,” recalled Jackson. “I was very, very fortunate that the first professor and advisor I met was Al Hauck. I could not have found a better mentor to help me transition from industry professional to academic professional,” Jackson said. “He set high standards and pushed me to excel in every way — in my own academic studies, teaching, advising, research and publishing.”
Thank you, Al, for your dedication and passion for ASC and construction education.