Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced that the association recognized its top college and university student chapters at the 2008 Student Chapter Excellence Awards ceremony, held during the 2008 ABC National Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The awards honor student chapters from construction management programs nationwide for their activities and accomplishments during the 2007–2008 academic year.

The award-winning chapters were selected from among ABC's 53 college and university student chapters for their excellence in programming, community service, interaction with the local ABC chapter and communications/public relations.

"We congratulate the winners of this year's student chapter excellence awards," said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. "The ABC student chapters program is a vital link between industry and construction higher education. ABC is committed to supporting and enhancing construction education and will continue to take an active role in developing the future leaders of our industry."?

The 2008 Student Chapter Excellence Award recipients are:

Student Chapter of the Year:

Pennsylvania College of Technology (sponsored by ABC's Central Pennsylvania chapter)

Student Chapter Award of Excellence:

Auburn University (sponsored by ABC's Alabama chapter)

Student Chapter Award of Merit:

Montgomery College (sponsored by the ABC's Metro Washington chapter)

More than 150 students and faculty from ABC student chapters nationwide attended the ABC convention, participating in convention education sessions; special sessions for students and faculty on leadership and career planning; and the ABC student chapter construction management competition.