Al Hauck Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 17, 2025
Contact: Jeong Woo
805-756-5493; jwoo@calpoly.edu
Cal Poly Professor Emeritus Al Hauck Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Al Hauck, Cal Poly Construction Management professor emeritus and longtime department head, has been awarded the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC).
Hauck, who holds a Ph.D. in Technology Education, is credited for his long, distinguished career as an innovative and successful educator. He is richly deserving of this prestigious award, which honors an individual who has made significant lifelong contributions to develop and advance construction education by “sharing ideas, knowledge, inspiration, guidance and the promotion of excellence in curricula, teaching, research and service.”
Before joining academia in 1979, Hauck worked three years in the trades and later retuned to industry for six years as a Senior Project Manager. In all, he spent 40 years in higher education, teaching, mentoring and advising students. He was hired to lead the CM Department in 2002. He served as department head and professor for 17 years and continued to teach five more years in retirement.
When he learned he won the award, Hauck said he was “both surprised and honored” and he quickly gave credit to others.
“The award is focused primarily on my years of service at Cal Poly,” Hauck explained. “In that way, I believe it is a recognition of the successes of all the students, faculty, staff and industry supporters in the CM department. My achievements would not have been possible without their dedication and professional efforts. I appreciate all of them."
Jeong Woo, current head of Cal Poly’s Construction Management Department, nominated Hauck for the annual award, and several colleagues, alumni and industry professionals lent their support as well.
“Al is a highly respected leader in construction education as well as a trusted mentor and friend,” Woo said. “He led the development of an integrated construction management curriculum at Cal Poly — a model that aligned coursework with real-world project phases and redefined how CM is taught.”
Hauck’s dedication surpassed advising and teaching college students. He devoted more than 20 years to the American Council for Construction Education, serving on the board of trustees from 2004-19 and being elected its chair, vice chair and secretary. He served on the board of directors for ASC as director of the Northeast Region. He also served on the national board of the American Institute of Constructors and helped develop the original Certified Associate Constructor exam (formerly AC exam).
“From coaching student teams to helping shape national accreditation standards, his influence runs deep,” Woo said. “His advice has shaped so many leaders, including myself, in more ways than I can count.”
Hauck is generous with his time, experience and knowledge. When Woo assumed the role of CM department head, he and Hauck had long conversations about the complexities of running a department in terms of budgets, faculty, students, strategic planning and industry expectations.
“I still carry his advice with me,” Woo said. “Al brings a rare blend of field experience, academic excellence and visionary leadership.”
John Schaufelberger, dean emeritus at the College of Built Environments, University of Washington, was another enthusiastic supporter of Hauck’s nomination for the award, writing, “Al Hauck had a long and distinguished career in construction education as an innovative educator and leader who inspired many students to pursue careers in construction and mentored many young faculty members in their pursuit of excellence.”
Former Cal Poly faculty colleague, Barbara Jackson, also wrote in support of Hauck’s nomination. She lauds his esteemed academic career. “I had the privilege of working with Dr. Hauck at numerous levels starting way back when I was a graduate student at Colorado State University,” recalled Jackson, who returned to college to pursue advanced degrees after working in the industry for nearly 25 years.
“I was very, very fortunate that the first professor and advisor I met was Al Hauck. I could not have found a better mentor to help me transition from industry professional to academic professional,” Jackson said. “He set high standards and pushed me to excel in every way -- in my own academic studies, teaching, advising, research and publishing.”
After completing her degrees, Jackson was hired to teach at Cal Poly. When the CM department head at the time announced his retirement, Jackson became determined that Hauck should apply for the position, and so began his Cal Poly tenure.
“Again, I was blessed to be able to work directly with Al, having an office right next to him where he continued to mentor me,” Jackson said. “There is no one who deserves this honor more than Dr. Allan Hauck. My own success in academia can be traced back to his mentorship, guidance, dedication and professionalism.”
It’s not just the faculty who appreciate Hauck’s professionalism and commitment to student success. Alumnus Jeff Messana (Construction Management, ’04) je.messana@archkey.com said that Hauck “elevated my class and the program as a whole. I’ve seen many students succeed and blossom from the opportunities that Al provided them. He had a profound impact on many of the students that came through the program, including me.”
Several years later, when Messana returned to campus as a recruiter for his company, Hauck asked him if he would be “willing to guest lecture so the students could hear about the latest electrical installations. He told me that keeping the program relevant to the current industry is one of the most valuable things the department can give the students.”
Messana, who now sits on CMAC (Construction Management Advisory Council), agreed and has been giving guest lectures several times a year.
Hauck will receive his award during the 62nd annual conference of the Associated Schools of Construction, which Cal Poly will host April 15-17, 2026, at the Cliff’s Hotel in Pismo Beach, California.
The Cal Poly CM Department invites all alumni and friends to the award ceremony and banquet dinner, set for Friday, April 17. Guests can register on-line at : https://calpoly.irisregistration.com/Site/ASC-Conference-2026 . Create your registration profile and select “Industry/Alumni Award Banquet Only”.
For more information, visit ASC’s website at https://ccce.calpoly.edu/asc2026/.
