From classroom to construction: Skanska employees rebuild their alma maters

A Q&A with five Skanska employees working on university projects where they attended school

Mary Beth Russo

• Senior project manager at Skanska
• Attended NC State from 2005 – 2009; Currently working on NC State Integrative Sciences Building (Woodson Hall)

Thinking back to when you were a student at NC State, could you have foreseen that you'd get to return and be a part of shaping the education experience for future students?

It never even crossed my mind. I was more focused on experiences and homework, while trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I never thought I’d be on the construction side of the fence since my degree and trajectory was civil/structural design.

Do you have any standout memories from your time as a student here?

I enjoyed every home football and basketball game. We weren’t amazing at either while I was in school, but the best part about NC State fans is that they are loyal, so the games were always packed. I have tons of fond memories. I love being on campus now to experience the energy and excitement surrounding our current football and women’s/men’s basketball teams.

What is one word that comes to mind when you think about this full-circle moment?

Small world. You never know what the future holds and how paths will cross. Take advantage of every opportunity and connect as many bridges as you can.

What have been some of the top design considerations for this project to meet the needs of today's students?

The labs are designed to be very robust to enable interdisciplinary research that isn’t possible in any other labs on campus. Groundbreaking research today combines knowledge from all disciplines, so creating an environment where that can be done at the college level is going to have a big impact. This building is going to tie the experience of The Brick Yard together, which is at the heart of main campus. It is creating a new gathering space and improving pedestrian paths throughout.

Devin Magnani

• Senior project engineer at Skanska
• Attended Texas A&M from 2017 - 2020; Currently working on Texas A&M Business Education Complex

Thinking back to when you were a student at Texas A&M, could you have foreseen that you'd get to return and be a part of physically shaping the education experience for future students?

No, I did not think that I would have this opportunity. I am very grateful to give back to the university that introduced me to Skanska and provided me with the knowledge to start my career.

What aspects of this project are transforming how future students learn and grow in this space?

This project features modern learning environments such as collab rooms for smaller groups and learning studios that will be used for large classes and/or presentations. There will also be an outdoor collaboration plaza with multiple shade structures and seating that students can utilize to study outdoors.

How is being on campus different now than when you attended as a student?

Texas A&M has grown significantly since I graduated, so it is a lot more crowded. Still, you can tell that the personal connection that the students have for the school and to one another is still prevalent.

Do you have any standout memories from your time as a student at Texas A&M?

One of the best memories I had going to school here was rushing the field after the 7-overtime win against LSU in 2018.

Ryan Kirkpatrick

• Project manager at Skanska
• Attended Washington State University (WSU) from 2012 - 2016; Currently working on WSU’s Knott Dairy Center and Building System Infrastructure Upgrades

What aspects of this project are transforming how future students learn and grow in this space?

The projects we are currently working on are restoring aging infrastructure throughout the campus.

The Knott Dairy Center project is transforming the dairy that produces the milk for the famous Cougar Gold Cheese and Ferdinand’s Ice Cream. By adding a new state of the art 30,000 square-foot barn and renovating the existing buildings and infrastructure, our project is breathing life back into the facility for the next generation.

The Building System Infrastructure Upgrades spreads us across all WSU campuses, from Pullman to Puyallup with the task of upgrading and improving buildings for the incoming students. From improving the heating systems in the main campus libraries, to mechanical updates in the athletic buildings, we’re making practical changes to extend the life of these historical buildings for future generations.

How is being on campus different now than when you attended as a student?

Working and being on campus now allows me to see the inner workings of the university that I didn’t know existed before. It has greatly expanded my perspective of the university from the previous narrow view of only focusing on what was right in front of me in college.

Do you have any standout memories from your time as a student at Washington State University?

I have too many amazing memories from my time as an undergraduate at WSU to single one out. Everything from crazy football weekends and attending construction management competitions across the country, to rushing my fraternity where I ended up becoming president. Throughout all of that, I met some of the most important people in my life at WSU, including my wife, lifetime friends and even some fellow Skanska colleagues. 

What is one word that comes to mind when you think about this full-circle moment?

Proud. I’m proud to be a Coug and proud to be able to contribute back to WSU at Skanska.

Alexander Bach

• Assistant superintendent at Skanska
• Attended the University of Cincinnati from 2013 – 2018 for a co-op program; Currently working on University of Cincinnati’s Old Chemistry Rehabilitation and Partial Replacement project

Thinking back to when you were a student at University of Cincinnati, could you have foreseen that you'd get to return and be a part of physically shaping the education experience for future students?

I was always hopeful that I would have the opportunity to return. I really enjoy working on campus. The university is a great client and provides opportunities for some of the most unique and challenging projects.

What aspects of this project are transforming how future students learn and grow in this space?

The amount of technology and flexible learning space is the first thing that comes to my mind. The designs are much more modern and provide a lot of new ways for student collaboration.

How is being on campus different now than when you attended as a student?

Campus is changing every year. It is commonly joked that UC stands for “under construction” but it is a good sign that the school is growing and reinvesting.

Do you have any standout memories from your time as a student at University of Cincinnati?

I felt lucky to be the co-op in my class that had the opportunity to work on the Fifth Third Arena project. Being a student in construction management, everyone was always curious as to what was going on with the largest project on campus at the time.

Jim Link

• Regional executive officer at Skanska
• Attended the University of Portland from 1980 - 1984; Recently completed University of Portland’s Shiley-Marcos Center for Design & Innovation

Thinking back to when you were a student at the University of Portland, could you have foreseen that you'd get to return and be a part of physically shaping the education experience for future students?

Not at all. I was thinking I would be a design civil engineer working for the Oregon Department of Transportation or the Corps of Engineers in the Pacific Northwest.

What aspects of this project are transforming how future students learn and grow in this space?

The Shiley-Marcos center stands out as an innovation space that features a flexible shop and lab space where students can fabricate, assemble and, otherwise, “tinker” with putting their ideas into motion. It is architecturally stunning!

How is being on campus different now than when you attended as a student? 

Well, for one everything is computerized, wireless and automatic. The amenities are much nicer: a recreation center that we built, the Pilot House renovation and better spaces in general…with air conditioning!

Do you have any standout memories from your time as a student at the University of Portland?

I met my lovely wife Diane at the University of Portland. She graduated with a nursing degree. We both were competitive Division 1 distance runners, although she was much better than me!  It is always fun to return to the campus in North Portland.