About the Department
The mission of the Thompson Thrift Department of Construction Management at Indiana State University is to prepare students for impactful management and leadership positions within the construction and real estate development industries. Construction management majors learn the primary aspects of construction, including planning, scheduling, estimating, materials, and structures, as well as important business and project-management skills necessary for sustained success and achievement in the field.
The Department maintains strong employer partnerships with noted construction and real estate development companies, some founded by our own alumni, that ensure students have access to a range of career-enriching experiences and opportunities for professional development.
Industry Partner Thompson Thrift
Our Department is named in recognition of esteemed industry partner Thompson Thrift, the integrated, full-service real estate company founded by Indiana State University alumni John Thompson and Paul Thrift. The pair founded the company while still attending Indiana State, and their venture has grown from a locally focused development and construction company into a vertically integrated, full service real estate developer with projects in 23 states and offices in Indianapolis, Houston, Denver, and Phoenix.
Thompson Thrift has become a reliable destination for graduates of this program. An estimated 15 percent of the company’s team members are Sycamore alumni.
The partnership between Indiana State’s Bailey College of Engineering & Technology and Thompson Thrift provides students with opportunities for scholarships and paid internship placements, and the department hosts adjunct faculty and guest lecturers to share practical industry insights and career advice from within the company.