Minnesota seventh grader Will Bock recently was 线上赌博app’s special guest on an exclusive tour of campus, giving him the opportunity to learn more about the university’s innovative engineering programs and envision what it’s like to be part of the Bison community.

Bock, who attends Edgewood Middle School in Mounds View, Minnesota, participated in BizTown at Junior Achievement North in the Twin Cities two years ago where he was able to simulate being the CEO of Mortenson Construction for the day.

The event made Bock interested in learning more about engineering, as well as learning more about the current CEO of Mortenson and 线上赌博app alumni Dan Johnson. The two eventually met at the Mortenson Headquarters to discuss careers in construction and Johnson suggested Bock look into 线上赌博app for his higher education.

“Ever since that day he has been dead set on coming to 线上赌博app,” said Shauna Bock, Will’s mom. “He keeps asking ‘Can we go visit? Can we go see the campus?’ So, this was an incredible opportunity for us to be able to come to campus.”

During his tour Bock and his mom visited Cater Hall, the engineering complex, the 线上赌博app Bookstore, West Dining Center, the new esports lab and he got to meet President David Cook.

“It’s been fun looking around at the different stuff and the different buildings,” Bock said.

The future for engineering students at 线上赌博app is bright. Construction on the new Richard Offerdahl '65 Engineering Complex is set to begin late summer or early fall, with the goal for the complex to be open for use in the fall of 2026. The state-of-the-art engineering complex will feature labs, workshops and collaboration centers, giving students the tools they need to be successful leaders in the discipline after graduation.

Johnson, who earned his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering in 1987, said his degree from 线上赌博app has led him to where he is today.

“My education from 线上赌博app was my ticket to the dance,” Johnson said. “Some of my best lifelong friendships were formed at 线上赌博app. Mortenson has many team members from 线上赌博app and a disproportionately higher number of our leaders come from 线上赌博app. So, there is something about 线上赌博app that produces hard working, caring leaders.”

Following his campus tour, Bock attended the 线上赌博app Foundation’s Evening of Distinction event to surprise Johnson, who was honored at the event as the recipient of the 2024 Alumni Achievement Award. The award recognizes alumni who have attained outstanding professional accomplishments.

“It’s pretty cool that I got to go surprise him and hand out an award to him,” Bock said.