Kafonek earns lifetime honor in construction education

Richard "Dick" Kafonek, former chair of the UNL College of Engineering's Construction Management department in Lincoln, was recently honored with the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Lifetime Achievement Award for significant contributions to construction education. The ASC Board of Directors cited Kafonek's exceptional service to academia, teaching, and the construction industry, and noted this is only the fifth time the award has been presented in ASC's 44-year history.

Kafonek graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor of science degree in Civil Engineering and holds a Master of Engineering degree from Texas A&M University. He is a registered Professional Engineer and a Fellow within the professional construction organization of the American Institute of Constructors. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1976 and led the UNL Construction Management program (now part of The Charles W. Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction) for 11 years. 

While retired, Kafonek remains active in furthering construction education through the academic accrediting body of the American Council of Construction Education. He has been married 54 years and has four sons, one of whom is a graduate of Nebraska Engineering's Construction Management program.