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Grace Jensen has cemented her name in concrete industry management program history at South Dakota State University.

In January the sophomore from Glenwood, Minnesota, was notified that she is receiving one of the two $5,000 scholarships awarded annually by the American Society of Concrete Contractors.

The ������Ƶ program began in fall 2021 , and Jensen is the first Jackrabbit to receive the honor. Program director Tim Hostettler said he also never had a student win the award in the nine years he taught at California State-Chico. 

He said it is appropriate that Jensen is the first recipient because “Grace is an absolute rock star, both as a student and as a human being. She would have been wildly successful in any major she chose to pursue. We are just grateful she chose CIM. We could not be prouder of her.”

Jensen holds a 3.9 GPA and is a student ambassador for the program, which has grown to 49 majors. Jensen is one of seven females.

Fell in love with new major

She didn’t come to ������Ƶ as a concrete industry management major, but she quickly made the switch.

“I started in mechanical engineering, and within the first week I decided it wasn't a good fit for me. I learned about the CIM program from a good friend that I had made the week prior to classes starting. She gave me Tim’s number, and after one conversation I was convinced and joined the program the very next day,” Jensen said.

She added, “My first year and a half at ������Ƶ has been eventful. After finding the concrete industry management program, I have never looked back. Tim (Hostettler) does a fantastic job getting to know each of the students and ensuring we are getting the most out of our education. 

“Through the program, I have also been able to take advantage of the many travel and networking opportunities, going to places like the World of Concrete in Las Vegas or the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association convention in Tampa Bay. Building a network of industry professionals has been by far the most valuable part of the program.”

The scholarship criteria is pretty simple: full-time enrollment in a concrete industry management program, strong scholarship and an intention to pursue a career in concrete construction.

Her scholarship application was boosted by a strong letter of recommendation from Hostettler, who cited Jensen’s GPA, work ethic, leadership qualities and commitment to the program and the concrete industry.

Learned hard work in locker business

Jensen doesn’t have concrete in her blood lines, but she does have hard work. Her family owns a meat locker and catering business in Glenwood, “where I learned the importance of hard work. Now those same ethics are valued within the construction and concrete industry. 

“Also, I was also able to get an internship after my first year of college for a ready-mix concrete company where I worked on the sales and estimating team.”

Jensen added, “There is an immense amount of opportunity within the program and the concrete industry as a whole. After school, I plan to continue on the path of concrete sales and estimating.”

The ������Ƶ program was formed through the support of the Concrete Industry Management National Steering Committee and its North Central Region patrons. ������Ƶ is the fifth U.S. university to offer the program and the first one in the 12-state, Upper Midwest region. 

The groups will provide ������Ƶ $1.5 million over five years to develop the degree program and assist in employing a program director, recruiter and laboratory manager.

The program had its first graduate in May 2024 with two more in December and one slated for this May.