University of Oklahoma Construction Science Sets the Standard in Student Competitions

OU Construction Science students from the Haskell & Irene Lemon Division Construction Science have a long tradition of excelling in regional, national, and international competitions. From design-build to commercial and heavy civil projects, they have consistently earned top honors while gaining hands-on experience that mirrors the pace and teamwork of the construction industry. 

This success is built on months of preparation each year, supported by the guidance of faculty including Professors Tammy McCuen, Somik Ghosh, Matt Reyes, Kofi Asare, and Doyle Phillips. Students balance their coursework and internships with dedicated practice sessions that prepare them for the fast deadlines and high expectations of these competitions.

Competitions are where classroom lessons in estimating, scheduling, and project management are put into action. Teams face complex, real-world challenges, work out solutions under tight time limits, and present their proposals to panels of industry experts who expect professional-level work.

OU Construction teams regularly compete in various contests in the field: the ASC Region 5 Competition, the ASC Region 8 Competition, the National Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Student Competition, and the National Association of Home Builder’s (NAHB) Student Competition.

The ASC Region 5 Competition, sponsored by TEXO, is the largest construction management competition in this region. Region 5, the South-Central Region, comprises Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas programs. It challenges teams to create detailed proposals in categories such as commercial, heavy civil, concrete, design-build, and has an individual impromptu speaking competition. Students must prepare accurate and innovative solutions and then present their work to a panel of judges who evaluate both the quality of the proposal and the team’s ability to communicate their plan.

In recent years, OU teams have earned multiple ASC Region 5 titles. In 2025, OU Construction students won the Commercial–Open, Design-Build, and Design-Build International categories, alongside top presenter honors in several divisions.  In 2023, the OU Design-Build team once again claimed first place, adding to the program’s tradition of competitive strength. Previously, they earned first place each year from 2012-2016. In 2012, the team swept every category.

The National DBIA Student Competition brings together university teams from across the country to create and present a design-build project proposal. Students work through the integrated design and construction process, gaining experience with the collaboration and problem-solving that define the design-build approach. It is also an opportunity to receive feedback from experienced professionals and expand their industry network. 

OU has been a regular contender in this competition as well. Past highlights include a first-place finish in the DBIA Southwest Region (2021, 2017, 2016, 2014) and a strong showing at the national finals, where OU has placed as high as third (2017, 2016, 2014). 

Design build competitions pair OU construction science students with architecture students, reflecting how real-world projects actually run. This teamwork gives both groups experience in balancing design creativity with construction realities and producing solutions that are practical, cost-effective, and aligned with client needs. 

In recent years, OU students have competed at ASC Region 8, which occurs in Europe and includes international programs.  Students have traveled to Ireland, Liverpool, Reading, and the Czech Republic for these competitions, giving them valuable experience with European construction practices and last year winning 1st place in the quantity surveying/construction management category. 

Over the years, OU teams have proven they can perform at the highest levels. In design-build, they have earned multiple first-place finishes at regional and national levels. In commercial and heavy civil divisions, they have consistently placed near the top, showing strong technical skills and project management abilities.

Communication has been another consistent strength, with repeated awards in presentation and impromptu speaking categories. International victories show that OU students can adapt to different building standards, regulations, and cultural expectations—skills that will serve them well no matter where their careers take them.

The trophies are one measure of success, but they also reflect the skills and experience students gain through these competitions. By tackling complex projects under real-world conditions, OU students leave the program better prepared for the challenges they will face in their careers.  Beyond trophies, research has shown that competitions are second only to internships in preparing students for their careers and what they learn.  As such they are unmatched student experiences.

The list below highlights more than a decade of competition results, reflecting the strength of the OU Construction Science program, drive of its students, and the dedication of its faculty.

Featured Image: OU’s award-winning teams at the 2025 Associated Schools of Construction Region 5/TEXO student competition.