KBE Endows $25,000 Construction Management Scholarship for military personnel at Central Connecticut State University

Active and honorably discharged military veterans enrolled in Central Connecticut State University’s (CCSU’s), Construction Management program will now have a financial leg up, thanks to KBE Building Corporation.

The company has created a $25,000 endowment, which was presented on Veteran’s Day, Nov 11, 2013 as part of CCSU’s annual Veterans Day celebration on campus. The endowment has been named in honor of Kenneth J. Russo, KBE’s long-time Director of Preconstruction.

About the Endowment:

The KBE Building Corporation Endowment in honor of Kenneth J. Russo provides scholarships for individuals who are active in or honorably discharged from any branch of the United State Armed Forces, including the Connecticut National Guard. Recipients must be enrolled in the Construction Management program at CCSU and maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 2.75.

The $25,000 endowment, established in 2013, is given through the construction firm’s “50 Ways to Make a Difference” philanthropic program. 50 Ways to Make a Difference was launched in 2009 to celebrate KBE’s 50th year in business and its name change to KBE Building Corporation.

About “50 Ways to Make a Difference”
The program formalizes our 50+ year legacy of charitable giving, and provides charitable support to the communities where KBE works and its associates live. Each year, the program focuses on a key area of need in the community, including children and senior citizens. The 2013 focus has been on military personnel and their families, making this endowment a perfect fit.
All told, KBE has provided more than $1,000,000 in support over the last years, through corporate donations of money and services, employee donations of time and money, and the personal donations of KBE’s three owners, Mike Kolakowski, Eric Brown, and Simon Etzel.

About Kenneth J. Russo, CPE 
This scholarship is named in honor of Kenneth J. Russo, who has been Director of Preconstruction at KBE since 2002. Mr. Russo has more than 45 years of experience in the construction industry, beginning with his six years in the Navy SEABEES. As an active supporter of CCSU’s Construction Management program, he has served on the Industrial Advisory Board for many years, including two years as chairman. Mr. Russo has also been a guest lecturer in graduate level courses, coordinated various guest speakers for the Construction Management Student Club, and actively participated in the Regional Students’ Competition. In his years at KBE, and throughout his career, Mr. Russo has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, talent, and dedication to the construction industry, as well as in his ongoing commitment to community service. KBE is privileged to name this endowment in his honor.