Construction Management alumni establish endowed fellowship honoring Professor Casey Cline

For nearly two decades, Boise State's construction management students have learned what it means to lead not only in the classroom but also on job sites, in their communities and alongside their peers.

Now, program alumni are giving back in a way that ensures that legacy continues.

The Boise State University Foundation received a generous gift from the Construction Management Alumni Chapter to establish the Casey Cline CMA Fellowship, an endowed fund designed to support future student leaders in Boise State's construction management program.

Professor Casey Cline (far left) with the Department of Construction Management at the 2015 AGC Conference.

The fellowship honors Casey Cline, a longtime faculty member in the Department of Construction Management and his dedication as the faculty adviser to the Construction Management Association (CMA) student chapter since 2008. Cline has been a foundational figure in shaping the culture and success of the construction management program.

"Endowed funds allow the university to support initiatives over the long-term," said Argia Beristain, CEO of the Boise State University Foundation. "We're humbled by the gift from the Construction Management Alumni Chapter in honor of Professor Cline. It's a wonderful gesture to ensure his legacy will continue for generations to come."

"Casey wants students to be prepared from day one coming out of the program, ready to go in our industry," William H. McMurren Endowed Chair of Construction Management Anthony Perrenoud said. "He has a mentality that you need to be a hard worker, detail oriented and held accountable to get your work done."

Cline's dedication to experiential learning and service has profoundly influenced the career paths of numerous students. His work and dedication have shaped not only students, but also strengthened connections among faculty, industry partners, and the broader community. By leading hands-on, community-based projects, students have acquired practical experience as project managers for local non-profit organizations, successfully delivering meaningful construction initiatives, including:

• Hillside Elementary Ball Wall (2024-2025)
• Dry Creek Historical Society Woodshed Project (2021-2022)
• Dry Creek Historical Society Granary Project (2017-2020)
• Boise State University Intermountain Bird Observatory (2017)
• Morrison Knudsen Nature Center Bridges (2014-2016)
• Minidoka Guard Tower Project (2013-2014)
• National Interagency Fire Center Memorial Project (2012)
• Discovery Center Bridge Project (2011-2012)
• Boise State ROTC Rappelling Wall (2010-2011)

Casey Cline and Construction Management students at the Minidoka Guard Tower Project in 2014.

For many alumni, those experiences were career defining.

"Boise State construction management is one of the top competing programs in the entire country. Much of that is laid directly at the feet of Casey's ability to build our culture and to make sure that our relationship stays intact," said Tyler Resnick '09, executive vice president at McAlvain Companies, Inc. "The people that build enthusiasm behind the mission are the ones that get the best results."

That impact didn't end at graduation. Former students credit Cline with shaping not only their technical skills but also their confidence, leadership and commitment to service - qualities they say have carried their careers across the construction industry.

"Casey's approach to teaching and leading is hands-on. He likes to be a part of the projects, he likes to be a part of what students are doing and he really likes to get in and show us how to do things, what not to do," said Tucker Robb '11, construction management director at McMillen. "Casey took his passion and passed it on to us, which allowed me to do things in my career that I don't know if I would have seen for myself. He gave me that opportunity to understand what it really meant to love building and love doing what we do in the industry."

Created by former students and alumni, the endowment recognizes Cline's lasting impact on the program and the construction industry across the Treasure Valley. Under his leadership, the CMA student chapter has grown into one of the most accomplished in the nation, earning distinction as the most awarded Associated General Contractors of America student chapter.

"There's a ton of people that are former students of Casey's and now making massive impacts in the built environment throughout the Treasure Valley and the United States as a whole," said Zach Higgins '09, CEO at Wright Brothers Building Company. "The impact of Casey Cline transcends education. The relationship, friendship and mentorship that Casey's had around is something that is so special."

By investing in the advisor role, the fellowship ensures the CMA student chapter will continue to provide hands-on, community-based experiential learning opportunities for future students.

Casey Cline (second from left) receives a donation from the Beavers Charitable Trust for the Department of Construction Management in 2018. Cline is a former department chair for the program.

Managed by the Department of Construction Management, the Casey Cline CMA Fellowship will provide support for the faculty member serving as the CMA advisor. The fellowship reflects a shared commitment between faculty and alumni to develop future construction leaders with strong mentorship and leadership development opportunities, one project at a time.

While the endowment has already received meaningful support from alumni and industry partners, efforts are ongoing to fully fund the fellowship and maximize its long-term impact. Those interested in honoring Casey Cline's legacy and investing in the next generation of construction leaders are encouraged to join in supporting the fund.

Share This

• Share on Facebook
• Share on X
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share through Email