School of Planning, Design and Construction

The School of Planning, Design and Construction's Construction Management Program announces the establishment of 3 new annual awards starting form 2023-24.  These awards are the result of a generous sponsorship by 1998 MSCM graduate, Pankaj Jagtap. Mr. Jagtap will honor his former professor and current CM Faculty member, Dr. Matt Syal, in the naming of these awards.  This year’s awards will be given out at the annual SPDC Recognition Ceremony on April 11, 2024.

"Sponsoring these awards is my heartfelt thanks to a program that has given me so much and shaped my life and career in ways I couldn't have imagined," said Jagtap. "These awards are for the outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who excel academically and lead by example, inspiring their peers. They also recognize the teachers who devote countless hours to sparking curiosity and fostering student growth," he continued.

The three awards are:

• Syal-Jagtap Outstanding CM Undergraduate Student
• Syal-Jagtap Outstanding CM Graduate Student
• Syal-Jagtap Outstanding CM Educator

Each award will include a certificate, a cash prize of $2,000 for each student award and $3,000 for the educator award, and a medal that can be worn at graduation ceremonies. A running plaque will be displayed in the SPDC office with winners’ names. 

All students graduating in December 2023, May 2024 and August 2024 are eligible for this year’s awards. Student awards will be voted on by the CM faculty based on Academic Performance, Program Activities/Leadership, and Attitude.  Similarly, the Educator award will be voted on by the graduating students.  Dr. Syal has chosen not to be a candidate for the educator award.

"Starting my journey at Michigan State University in 1996 as an international student in the Construction Management program was a turning point in my life. Those two years did more than educate me academically; they shaped who I am, broadened my horizons, and set the path for my career," Jagtap explained.

Mr. Jagtap graduated with his MS degree in Construction Management from Michigan State University in 1998.  He also holds an MBA from the University of Colorado in Denver and a BS in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India.  He is currently the founder and Managing Partner of FirstPrinciple Advisors, a boutique advisory firm, dedicated to coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs, and helping improve the operations of SaaS (Software as a Service) companies. He also teaches as an Adjunct Professor at the C.T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.

Previously, Mr. Jagtap served as SVP of professional services and customer success at HighRadius Corporation, a leading SaaS company. During his 11-year tenure, he was part of the management team that grew the company from a bootstrap startup to a $3 billion business.

Mr. Jagtap has chosen to honor his former professor and current CM Faculty member, Dr. Matt Syal, in the naming of these awards.

"I am especially proud to partner with Dr. Syal, who was not only my advisor and mentor during my MSU days but has also continued to offer wisdom and support throughout my life. Naming these awards after Dr. Syal is a tribute to his significant contributions to the Construction Management program and the impact he has made on the lives of all his students," said Jagtap.

Dr. Syal has served as a professor in the Construction Management Program at Michigan State University since 1994.  He has been at the forefront of most of the developments that have led to the growth of the CM program.  He was the co-chair of the task force that led to the formation of the School of Planning, Design and Construction in 1994.  He also co-led the design and implementation of the Ph.D. program, first for CM and then for SPDC.

These awards serve as an example of SPDC's legacy of excellence as a whole and within its CM program specifically. "With these awards, we're celebrating the hard work and achievements of our students and faculty and the legacy of excellence in teaching and mentorship that Dr. Syal represents. I hope they inspire Spartans to chase their dreams, grow, and make impactful contributions to the world," Jagtap explained.