The association, also called , represents construction educators and industry practitioners seeking the advancement of construction education through the 150-some construction management programs at colleges in the United States, Canada and Europe.

The is given each year to recognize the work of someone who has advanced construction education through “knowledge, inspiration, guidance and/or the promotion of excellence in curricula, teaching, research and service.” The ASC praised Schaufelberger as an accomplished scholar, servant leader and student-focused educator. He will receive his award on April 5, during the group’s annual .

Schaufelberger’s resumé is lengthy indeed. He joined the 91̽»¨in 1994 after a 30-year career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, managing public construction projects internationally and even representing the U.S. in negotiations with some foreign governments. At the UW, he was chair of the Department of Construction Management from 2002 to 2014, and dean of the College of Built Environments from 2012 to 2019. He served in the 91̽»¨Faculty Senate from 1997 to 2012.

Schaufelberger has written a number of textbooks on construction management as well as journal articles, papers and technical reports. He has been active in the American Council for Construction Education and serves on its board of trustees. He was associate editor of the ASC’s International Journal of Construction Education and Research for many years.

The ASC quoted Renée Cheng, current dean of the College of Built Environments, praising her predecessor: “Most people try to follow the ‘golden rule,’ treating others as we would like to be treated ourselves. John follows what you might call the diamond rule, treat others better than yourself. He never hesitates to take on tasks that, given his seniority and roles, would seem to be beneath him. But he does not consider what is above or beneath, merely that if he can help, he will.”

91̽»¨Notebook caught up with Schaufelberger for a couple of questions about his work.

You came to the 91̽»¨after retiring from the U.S. Army, where you were a teacher and administrator for many years. Has your Army experience been helpful to your work at the UW? In what ways?

Yes. Both the Army and academia are in the people business, heavily focused on mentoring, training and education. I found the intellectual engagement with students just as rewarding as mentoring young Army officers. In the Army, I learned to be a servant leader and to make decisions based on incomplete information. Both skills have been very useful at the UW.

What was your most challenging construction project or negotiation during your Army Corps of Engineers years?

I think that the most challenging construction project on which I worked was constructing a military city for 75,000 people in Saudi Arabia in a remote area near the border with Kuwait and Iraq. It is called King Khalid Military City and involved an international workforce of 15,000 workers installing $2 million dollars of construction per day.

What are the effects of climate change on the construction industry? How will 21st century construction — and construction education — differ from that of the 20th century? 

I think that the major changes will occur in reducing carbon emissions from construction activities. New construction materials will be developed, construction equipment will become electrified, and use of modularization in construction will increase. The challenge in construction education will be to remain current with the rapid adoption of technology for planning and executing construction.

What’s next for you?

My plans are to retire from 91̽»¨at the end of December but to continue to work with the American Council for Construction Education to mentor construction educators.

• Watch a video produced by the College of Built Environments to congratulate Schaufelberger on his award.

The 91̽»¨ has rebooted the east end of its Gould Hall home, creating an expanded area for collaboration and a new gallery to exhibit work from national and international sources as well as the college’s student, faculty and alumni.

The repurposed space is called Gould Pavilion, and will be home to three new linked galleries and a studio area. Six key faculty and alumni — architects all — are honored with spaces bearing their names in the new pavilion. They are:

• , distinguished alumnus;
• , founder of the Urban Design and Planning Department;
• , former faculty member, associate dean and chair of architecture, and his wife, , an alumna;
• , alumnus, and his wife, Jeannette McKinley.
• , alumnus and founding partner of the firm .

The pavilion area is already open for business. The gallery will open with a ceremony Wednesday, Jan. 14, for its inaugural exhibit, “In-Between.” The exhibit was created by the architectural firm , which Suyama founded in 1971, and aims to get viewers thinking about the multitude of choices architects must make when designing a building.

The evening also will feature a conversation between Suyama himself and Jay Deguchi, his fellow 91̽»¨alumnus and colleague. This will be from 6 to 7 p.m. in Gould Court, in the pavilion, followed by the gallery opening from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Gould Pavilion changes the east end of the building’s first floor into about 1,000 square feet of new instructional space that will be used as a multifunctional studio and classroom, and will also showcase the college’s more speculative and cutting-edge research. Just above on the second floor is 1,500 square feet of gallery space.

expressed the college’s pride in the new space: “Gould Pavilion will provide much-needed exhibition and learning spaces. And it will enable those in the college to showcase our work, discover new work, engage our community and provide additional space for interdisciplinary education,” he said. “Our generous project donors honored some of the college’s most distinguished colleagues and invested in the future of the college and its students. We are most appreciative of their strong support.”

The pavilion opens as the Department of Architecture, the college’s founding unit, celebrates its centennial. A statement issued by the college said: “As we prepare for the next 100 years, we are hoping to enhance our educational mission through augmenting our space. The creation of Gould Pavilion will enable us to better educate students, showcase our work, discover new work, and engage and serve our community.”

The exhibit “In-Between” will run through Feb. 22. The next exhibit, focusing on Olson’s work, will open March 4. Exhibits are free and open noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.

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For more information, contact Allie Rock, College of Built Environments advancement services officer, at 206-685-3751 or rocka2@uw.edu; or Edgar Gonzalez, assistant dean for advancement and external relations, at 206-685-0175 or gonzaled@uw.edu.