CBU student wins MVP award in construction competition

Top, left to right: Johnathan Toews, Dr. Jay Lee, Michael Cornejo; Middle: Oscar Zuniga, Jeser Chavez, Emily Mitra; Bottom: Brandon Wagoner, Ivan Hinojosa

Riverside, Calif. (March 12, 2021) Brandon Wagoner, a California Baptist University senior, received the MVP award at an Associated Schools of Construction competition held virtually last month.

Wagoner, a construction management major, received the award for his role in the group presentation. He oversaw the cost estimates.

“Our presentation is the only time we really get to interact with the judges, so that’s what the award was based on,” Wagoner said. “A key part of it is thinking on your feet and how you present the material to them.”

The team competed in the preconstruction category and their assignment was to develop a proposal to build a powerhouse building located on a dam. The first phase of the project included the proposal, cost estimates and a time schedule. The second phase had them winning the bid and making changes requested by the judges. The final part was the 30-minute presentation followed by questions from the judges.

Dr. Jay Lee, director of construction management at CBU and faculty advisor for the team, said it was the outstanding teamwork that helped set Wagoner apart.

“We’re proud of all of them, especially Brandon with his MVP award. It’s a big honor for him,” Lee said. “Even though it’s an individual award, the team’s work overall certainly helped him stand out.”

Wagoner said he was honored and humbled to receive the award but would have rather placed as a team.

“It was surprising to be honest, and I would have rather placed as a team because of all the hours we put into the project,” Wagoner said. “It was still cool and a validation of the work that I did do.”

Johnathan Toews, a construction management senior and team captain, said although the team did not place, it was a great experience and the whole team was proud of Wagoner for the award.

“Everything Brandon did he put a lot of work into and did quite well. I believe that showed to the judges,” Toews said. “I’m quite proud that someone from our team won the award, and he was very deserving of it.”