PITTSBURG, KS — Seventy students in the School of Construction at Pittsburg State University will receive $70,000 in scholarships for the spring semester. Tyson Stites, a junior construction major from McPherson, Kansas, was among them and said he is honored and thankful to receive one.

“I have taken a lot of pride in my grades and have been pretty involved in leadership activities and honor societies, including the Association of General Contractors,” Stites said.

Stites also landed two internships thanks to connections between the school and industry partners. One, with Crossland Construction, gave him the chance to help build a crash testing lab in Wichita, and another, with Conco Construction, gave him the chance to work on the Fidelity Parking Garage in Wichita.

The scholarships were funded by golf tournaments and clay shoots organized by the PSU Construction Alumni Association, a group that has done so for many years.

“The group continues to be a major supporter of the students in the School of Construction, both financially through scholarships and with the internship and employment opportunities they offer our students,” said Professor Jim Otter, who directs the School of Construction. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”