The Department of Construction Sciences recognized three outstanding students in its December 2007 graduating class; Farzana Sultana, Ben Liggett and Justin Goodman.
Farzana Sultana was named the department’s outstanding graduate student. “Texas A&M was not only an amazing experience for me, it’s part of my identity which I’m strongly proud of,” she said.
Not long after coming to A&M after receiving a bachelor’s degree from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, her father passed away at the beginning of the spring 2007 semester.
“My professors provided me with emotional support just like a family when I lost my father,” she said.
Sultana was born in Chittagong, a port city in Bangladesh, to Showkat Ali and Kamre Jahan. She has one brother, Mohiuddin Ahmed, who is a teacher in the training academy at Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
After receiving an undergraduate degree, she worked in a local architectural firm for two years as a junior architect while working at a private university as a lecturer and coordinator of the school’s department of architecture.
Faculty members of the university where she earned her undergraduate degree encouraged her to continue her education. After being accepted at the College of Architecture she was awarded the Betty and Grandy Stripling ’60 Endowed Scholarship and the O.N. Mitchell Jr. Endowed Fellowship.
She said she appreciated the “unlimited help and suggestions from professors whenever I asked.” She credits an increase in her self-confidence from the education, communication, training and socialization opportunities at the construction science department.
In her final semester at A&M, Sultana received a job offer from Vaughn Construction Company as an estimator.
“I’m enjoying the fun of learning new things and being a part of the real world, “ she said. “I look forward to sharing my work experience with the Construction Science Department and being a part of its continuous development.”
Craftsman Award
Ben Liggett was named the Craftsman Award winner in the construction science department’s December 2007 graduating class.
He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Construction Management at the College of Architecture.
“I plan to finish my master’s and then try to get a Ph.D. before entering the work force,” he said.
The Craftsman Award was established by Craig Cumberland, ’94, on behalf of his father, Larry Cumberland ’71. The endowed award includes the gift of an Aggie watch to the outstanding “craftsman” in each graduating class.
Through the award, Cumberland recognizes “those students who have made a significant, positive impact on their surroundings while a student at Texas A&M University.”
Leggett is from Round Rock, where his parents work for Wheeler Coatings Asphalt, L.P.
“The award supports the proposition that the Aggie ‘other education’ is as important as classroom education,” states the Craftsman Award criteria.
“This award will go to the graduate in each senior class who has earned the recognition and respect of peers, the faculty, and others, through hard work, attention to detail, and a willingness to go above and beyond their call of duty to support others, including the university, as evidenced by active roles in extracurricular activities and/or the community through civic or religious organizations.”
AGC Gene Murphree Award
Justin Goodman was named Associated General Contractors Gene Murphree Construction Science Outstanding Undergraduate in the December ’07 class. After graduating from Frisco High School, in Frisco, Texas, Goodman spent his college freshman year at Collin County Community College. He then transferred to Texas A&M and was accepted into the Department of Construction Science program one semester later.
He was actively involved with the campus chapter of Associated General Contractors and served as the organization’s senior representative during his final two semesters. He was also a member of the Department of Construction Science’s 2007 Heavy Highway Competition team.
He’s the son of James and Roxanne Goodman of Dallas, though he and his family lived in Frisco for most of his school years.
“After graduation, I am joining Jacobs Facilities as a project engineer, and will have the opportunity for lots of travel,” he said.
