College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Alumni & Friends

Commercial construction is not an individual enterprise. That is why it is critical for students to gain practical experience working in team settings, ensuring they are prepared to tackle real-world problems when they start their careers.

Jim Parish, President of the Parish Corporation—a general contracting firm headquartered in Lansing, Michigan—has established a new endowment at the MSU Construction Management Program (CM), one of the four accredited programs in the School of Planning, Design and Construction (SPDC). The James D. Parish Endowment supports experiential learning opportunities for the MSU Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) student chapter and their endeavors at the annual National Commercial Construction Management Competition during ABC’s National Convention.

The National Commercial Construction Management Competition (CMC) promotes careers in construction management. The CMC features teams of college and university students testing their project management, estimating, safety, quality control and presentation skills. 

Participation in this competition gives construction management students a glimpse into the real world of construction, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talents and gain resume-building experience.

“On behalf of the School of Planning, Design and Construction, I am deeply grateful for the generous new endowment established to support student enrichment activities, which is one of the School’s key priorities,” said SPDC Director and Professor Dr. Jun-Hyun Kim.  “This gift will expand opportunities for students to engage in learning beyond the classroom through experiences such as travel, competitions and professional development, creating lasting impact on their academic and career journeys.”

“We are grateful for Jim’s generous support of our students,” said Robert Aydukovic is a teaching specialist and program director for the CM Program. “This endowment will unlock opportunities for our talented student competition teams, enabling them to experience what construction companies do on a daily basis to compete for projects and positioning them as the next generation leaders in the industry.”

Building a legacy

Growing up on a farm in Midland, Michigan, agriculture was a way of life for Jim Parish. The family raised horses and cocker spaniels for show, and Parish’s father was the Director of the Midland County MSU Extension Office.

In college, Parish chose a different path. In 1959, he started at MSU in the building construction program. At MSU, he met his wife Janice, who was pursuing a career as an educator. Parish also served on the advisory board for the college for a number of years.

Parish began as a commercial kitchen designer and then worked for an architectural firm. In the mid-60s, he became President of the Contractors and Suppliers Association and learned about the ABC, a nationwide trade association.

Contractors & Suppliers became an ABC affiliate, making Parish one of the “founding fathers” of ABC in Michigan. The Parish family has been active in ABC Michigan, with Parish serving on the board of directors and starting the local chapter of the Construction Specification Institute.

In the late ‘70s, Jan started the National Women in ABC group and served as its President for two years. Throughout the years, their daughter Kris worked for ABC Central Michigan and then the Greater Michigan Chapter.  She also ran the local branch of the Greater Michigan Construction Academy, the education arm of ABC Greater Michigan Chapter. Their son John served on the ABC Central Michigan Chapter board, the ABC Greater Michigan Chapter board and the ABC of Michigan board.

In 1971, Parish started his own general contracting business, the Parish Corporation, which will celebrate its 55th anniversary next year.

Empowering the next generation

Inspiring future leaders in the field has always been a priority for Parish. With the growth of the CM program over the years, Parish envisions this new endowment supporting current needs for the program, expanding experiential learning opportunities for students and inspiring others in the industry to give back.  In the spirit of empowering the next generation, Jan has also started an endowment fund for education through MSU’s Wharton Center.

“Any construction management student, no matter what field they are entering, needs hands-on experience. With the obvious growth of the program over the last few years, the financial needs of the program are also growing,” said Parish. “I also think that competitions like the commercial construction competition promote teamwork. My hope is that others will contribute to this fund to get it to the level at which it will become self-sustaining and fund the needs of this program for future generations.”

Supporting students and faculty in a variety of ways, this endowment will cover costs for MSU students and faculty to travel and compete in competitions, as well provide funds for computer hardware, software and printing related expenses associated with these events.

“Being a founding father of ABC in Michigan, the Merit Shop philosophy is very important to share with the next generation,” said Parish. “With this competition, the students will be exposed to ABC at the national level and meet other ABC construction professionals from all across the country.”

About the CM Program:

The mission of the CM Program at MSU is to inspire and educate future leaders and engaged citizens who will innovate the built environment industry. Established in 1948, the CM program is a leader in producing industry-ready graduates who meet workforce demands and elevate the construction profession. You can learn more about the program here.