UA Little Rock Dedicates New Kinco Drawings and Specs Lab
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has dedicated the newly renovated Kinco Drawings and Specs Lab in the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering at UA Little Rock.
Thanks to the generosity of Little Rock-based Kinco Constructors, this lab has been redesigned to provide an upgraded workspace to help students prepare for their future careers in the construction industry. The classroom is the home to one of the most foundational courses in the Construction Management program.
“One of the classes that will be taught in this lab is a freshman course in plans and specifications,” Provost Ann Bain said. “The class is required for all majors in the department, and it is the first course that focuses on the unique knowledge base of Construction Management and Civil Engineering.”
Clay Gordon, a 2000 graduate of UA Little Rock who is now vice president of Kinco Constructors, said his company wanted to renovate and sponsor this lab to honor the company’s special relationship with the university’s Construction Management program.
“Kinco has a long relationship with the Construction Management program at UA Little Rock,” Gordon said. “Our founder, Jack Kinnaman, was also the founder of the Construction Management program. We are celebrating our 50th anniversary at Kinco Constructors, all while at the same time supporting the program and students at UA Little Rock with this classroom and lab. We hire a lot of UA Little Rock graduates, so it’s a win-win for us.”
Kinco Constructors made in-kind donations of about $50,000 to renovate the classroom and lab. Additionally, Kinco has made a $50,000 donation to maintain and purchase equipment for the lab for the next five years.
“I remember when Jack Kinnaman started this program, how it’s grown, and what a tremendous asset it is to us in the construction industry and a business,” said Doug Wasson, president and CEO of Kinco Constructors. “We have 15 people who are working for us right now who are graduates of this program. It really does serve a need to have a Construction Management program that is local to the industry and the majority of the construction companies that serve Arkansas. We are happy we’ve been able to be a part of this classroom and lab renovation and continue the mission of the university.”
Kinco worked with Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects on the interior design of the lab.
“We really reimagined the furnishings and the overall feel of the space to make the classroom into a more positive learning environment,” said Jenna Jones, an interior designer. “We wanted to make this feel like a warm place to come and learn. Kinco also added a timeline of the history of their business to commemorate their 50th anniversary.”
The donation is a part of UA Little Rock’s Centennial Campaign, which has a goal of raising $250 million by the university’s centennial anniversary in 2027. The Kinco Drawings and Specs Lab contributes to two of the campaign’s major pillars, enhancing the learning environment and program excellence.
UA Little Rock has raised about $170 million toward its Centennial Campaign goal. To learn more or to give to the Centennial Campaign, visit https://ualr.edu/giving/product/centennial-campaign/
