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Kate Connor is only a junior at South ��ֱ���� State University, but she already is developing quite a resume.

The most recent entry is the receipt of a $5,000 scholarship from the American Society of Concrete Contractors, which was presented to her and a student from Middle Tennessee State at the association’s banquet in Indianapolis Sept. 10. In April, she was notified that she was the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship from another concrete group.

Tim Hostettler, who directs the concrete industry management program at SDSU, said, “Kate is not only top of her class, but she is also mature, motivated, outgoing, personable and always willing to help out wherever needed.”

Add to that academically talented. Connor, of Winfred and a Howard High School graduate,  has a 4.0 GPA at SDSU.

Her most recent award was for a junior or senior concrete industry management student planning a career in that field. Connor’s interest is to become a technical salesman for concrete add mixtures. She plans to get an internship in that field this summer to confirm her plans to move into a sales position.

Through the convention she attended in Indianapolis as well as at least a half dozen other conferences Connor has attended, she already has developed a good list of contacts.

“Tim (Hostettler) preaches often, ‘It’s not what you know. It’s who you know.’ Conferences are a great place to make and maintain relationships as well as learn how to be a professional in the concrete industry,” Connor said.

She has two American Concrete Industry conventions on her schedule this school year — the Oct. 26-29 gathering at the Hilton Baltimore and Marriott Baltimore Inner Harbor and the March 29-April 1, 2026, gathering at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago.

Reflecting on her academic choice, Connor said, “"I joined the CIM program through a series of coincidences—good ones, I’d say. At the time, I had no idea about the opportunities it would open up, like the network, travel and more. 

“I’m incredibly grateful for everything the program has provided and for the people who took the time to shape my college experience. When I move forward in my life and career after college, I’m committed to paying it forward—creating opportunities for others, just as others did for me.”

She notes that among those creating opportunities were her parents.
“Recently, I realized that the concrete process is not what drew me to the concrete industry. It was the times in the summer when we had 12-13 Connors helping with a 20-yard pour, followed by a salted nut roll and Gatorade break. 

“I would like to thank my parents, siblings and extended family for being patient teachers and good company. It helped me make a great decision to join the CIM program at SDSU.”

Connor took a break from concrete industry management this summer.

She signed up for an SDSU study abroad class that took her to Florence, Italy, for nine weeks. Topics were interior design, fashion design and yoga with 2 ½ weeks for each of the pass-fail classes. Then there was a long weekend before the next class, which gave time for travel to the Mediterranean Sea, the Dolomite Mountains and the Sahara Desert.

In addition to learning from great teachers and seeing gorgeous scenery, Connor said she learned to navigate solo in a foreign lands, an ability that can be useful in any field.