FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2007

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Thursday, April 12, 2007 -During Bob George's 30 years in the construction business, he has had plenty of time to sit back and enjoy his accomplishments in the field.

George, who is responsible for 15 online construction classes through San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies (CES), takes a lot of pride in his work.

"It's the old thing about standing back and looking at what you did with your hands," George said. "When you see a building that you helped build, a lot of pride comes from that."

A certified professional estimator (CPE), George takes a lot of pride in the classes he teaches through CES. The College's online courses include Estimating and Bidding, Essential Construction Math, Blueprint Reading, Construction Materials and Processes, Contracts Documents, and Construction Law.

George has worked in high-rise, commercial, and residential construction, as well as performing civil work. He moved to San Diego from Illinois more than 30 years ago after beginning his undergraduate work at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.

He has since earned two Master's degrees: A Master's of Business Administration (MBA) degree in finance through National University and a Master of Science (MSEd) degree in Online Teaching and Learning through Cal State Hayward. He took the online program at Hayward to help enhance what is now a 20-year teaching career through CES.

"At one point, we found that we were dwindling in students," George said. "The reason was because they couldn't find the time to come to class and hated sitting in a classroom. When we went online, we had a resurgence in our program."

Online courses, worth three units of extension credit, can be taken by anyone, anytime, anywhere. Students are from all 50 of the United States of America, plus such far away places as Australia, Germany, and Pakistan. The program also includes military personnel in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

"The courses are widely popular," George said. "Students give us a lot of feedback saying the courses make a difference in their careers."

CES offers online certificates in Construction Estimating, Construction Practices, On-Site Supervision, Project Management, and Supervisory Technologies.

Participants learn online from experts, so they can advance within their chosen trade, or even start a brand new career. In addition to the course work, there is an online bulletin board where they network and discuss everyday construction challenges.

The College also offers an in-class Professional Certificate in Construction Inspection Technology. Students take courses in structural steel, concrete, masonry, electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspection.

Classes are offered in cooperation with the San Diego Chapters of the Associated General Contractors of America, the International Conference of Building Officials, and the San Diego Council of Engineering Laboratories.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 35 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. For more information on the cutting-edge opportunities offered in the trades, or other programs, visit the College's Web site at www.NeverStopLearning.net.