Class of 2024: Connor Hetman and Abbie Vancini recognized for Outstanding Service

Connor Hetman and Abbie Vancini are used to wearing many hats, but soon they will be in their Myers-Lawson School of Construction orange hardhat, a signature of the school’s Hardhatting Ceremony. Both the building construction and construction engineering and management students have spent their time at Virginia Tech living out the university’s Ut Prosim (That I May Serve).

Building Construction 

Name: Connor Hetman
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia 
Service to Myers-Lawson: Building Construction Ambassador, Myers-Lawson Marketing Intern Lead, Solar Decathalon Team

Connor Hetman began his college career as a civil engineering major but realized his passion was in construction over design. He transferred to Virginia Tech in Fall 2021 and hit the ground running by serving during various events and marketing efforts. During his time as a student, his positive attitude and willingness to help is noticeable by all. 

“From my initial encounter with Hetman, I was convinced he was going to be an extreme asset to the program. What I did not know is what an understatement that would be,” said Shelton Norwood, who serves as the transfer advisor for Building Construction. “Hetman puts 110% into everything he does - whether it is academics or extra-curricular activities including most Myers-Lawson events.  Hetman's willingness to help is unmatched.  His constant smile, friendly demeanor, and overall genuine character are contagious.  He is one-of-a-kind, and I am lucky to have had the opportunity to interact with him.  He will do great things in the future.”

Hetman will graduate in December 2024 and will continue his roles within the school until that time. 

What were memorable moments during your time at Virginia Tech?

I don't really have a specific moment that stands out, but I'll always have great memories of all the events I have been part of — from cookouts to the career fairs — and the great teams of students and faculty I have worked with during them. 

How did you choose Building Construction and what did you like?

My college journey wasn't the traditional one. I initially began as a civil engineering major at Old Dominion University, but after my first semester, it didn't feel like the right fit for me. My stepdad and stepsister are both Hokie grads, so I knew Virginia Tech was where I really wanted to be, and I also quickly realized that my interests aligned closer with the construction side of the industry than the design side. I love walking on a site at the end of the day to physically see that it was all worth it when I see the progress my work contributed to. I knew Virginia Tech was home after I found the building construction major, came to campus, experienced the community we have on the Bishop-Favrao Hall third floor, and met with advisor Gary Kinder to map out a plan for me to transfer. Since transferring, I have been blown away by how every single professor and faculty member truly cares about the students. The community feels like going to a small college backed by the endless resources of a huge university like Virginia Tech. I love the amount of networking and industry interaction we get and the hands-on learning components of my courses. 

What are your plans for the immediate future?

I don't graduate until December, but I will be interning with Toll Brothers as an Assistant Construction Manager Intern during the summer of 2024 in Sarasota, Florida. I would eventually love to combine my residential and commercial experience to specialize in multifamily projects. 

Did you participate in any other activities?

I have worked with Myers-Lawson as a marketing intern, been a Building Construction student ambassador, and participated in the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. Outside of the school, I also volunteer at Northstar Church in Blacksburg.  

Anything else to share?

First, I would like to say thank you to all the amazing faculty members I have worked with during my time here who have been amazing mentors.  

I would also give advice to current and future students that your time here flies by way faster than you ever think it will, so find ways to get involved outside of your classes as soon as possible and start networking. Almost everything I have done in my classes has connected extremely closely to what I have done in my internships, so don't just look at your assignments as something to finish and turn in. During classes that have semester-long projects, look for ways to be a leader in your teams and think about projects as practice for the future. Learning to do quantity take-offs and put an estimate together has already helped me in internships, but I feel the thing I will take away the most is to break a large project into smaller chunks that can be divided amongst a team with diverse skill sets. In a school setting, mistakes will lose you a few points, in the real world you could lose a multimillion-dollar project. 

Construction Engineering and Management 

Name: Abbie Vancini
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida 
Service to Myers-Lawson: Construction Engineering and Management Ambassador, Myers-Lawson Marketing Intern, Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Abbie Vancini is seen as a leader among her peers.  In her four years as a Hokie, she served as a Construction Engineering and Management Ambassador for three of those. The role brought endless opportunities for engaging with future and former Hokies, faculty and staff, and industry. The program’s leaders say Abbie’s can-do helps bring in even more students. 

“Abbie served as the face of Construction Engineering and Management, both to current students and incoming ones,” said Sharon Williams, advisor for the program. “Abbie was always willing to invest in the future of the school and the students within it.”

Abbie graduates in May 2024 but plans to stay involved via the Young Alumni Committee. 

What were memorable moments?

Rather than any one specific moment, I feel like I have endless memories of just pure joy being surrounded by so many inspiring and genuine people. I would have never expected it, but the friendships built on the third floor of Bishop-Favrao Hall have become such a supportive community I have leaned on throughout my time here at Virginia Tech. 

How did you choose Construction Engineering and Management and what did you like? 

I knew I wanted to go into engineering when my older brother, Sam, told me, "You are really good at putting things together." I'm not sure if Sam knows it, but from that moment on I was committed to being an engineer even though I probably didn't even know that word yet. I found the program my freshman year here and instantly fell in love with the creative problem-solving on the engineering side and the tangibility of construction. I felt like it was a perfect match and the fact that you get a hard hat for graduation completely sold it for me. You truly don't need to be from a construction background to know you belong in it.  

Did you participate in any other activities?

Outside of the classroom, I have enjoyed spending time with my campus ministry, Ukirk, and sorority, Sigma Kappa. More realistically, though, you would probably find me at the Blacksburg Dog Park watching my black lab puppy, Cooper, get energy out. 

What are your plans for the immediate future?

Immediately following graduation, I plan to travel to five countries in Europe! Then, I will continue my career as a Project Engineer for a general contractor, DPR Construction, in the Washington, D.C. area. 

Anything else to share?

The biggest thank you to all of my family and my roommates who have continuously supported me and shown up for even the smallest of things. Thank you also to every single one of my friends I have made through construction engineering and management. You are all incredibly brilliant, and I am so thankful I got to learn from and alongside you.  

To Mars Lin, Claire Wright, Alex Plonsky, Cassidy Lawson, Jessica Fikac, Austin Hayden, Andrew Bates, and Teddy Becotte: I am so lucky to have gotten you as teammates but even luckier to have gotten you as friends. I love you all beyond words, and I can't wait to see all that you accomplish. 

To Sharon Williams: you are all inspiring and I will forever strive for the same passion that I've watched you continuously hold for your students.  

Lastly, to all Myers-Lawson faculty and staff: you all are some of the most experienced and inspiring people I had the chance to learn from. Thank you for fostering such a supportive and inclusive environment as this one.