Arlen Booth

Not everyone wants the same thing from a career — A lot of what makes a job satisfying is very personal. Arlen Booth, an NDSSS 1964 Building Construction Technology graduate, had a very rewarding 43-year career with Caterpillar Inc. in the Engineering and Plant Engineering divisions.

Booth was led to consider NDSCS by a Sioux Falls, S.D. neighbor who was an alum, the course listings in the campus catalog, and a scholarship from Lambert Lumber Company. He gained experience in the basics of carpentry, plumbing, electrical and pouring concrete while working for a master craftsman modernizing a church camp. It was there he made the decision to attend a trade school to learn more about the construction industry. In addition to finding his match with the Building Construction Technology program, a highlight for Booth from his time as a student was playing on the 1962 NDSSS Championship Football team, under coach Skip Butte.

NDSSS provided a great learning experience for Arlen, and the instructors had applicable knowledge from the construction field to share with him and his fellow students. The technical degree provided the skill set required for Booth to experience successful adventures as he went on to manage construction and renovation projects in Illinois, Arizona, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Mexico, Ireland and 52 trips to China. Booth is currently a Factory Planning Consultant in the Peoria, Ill. area.

Arlen and his wife, Carol, recently started an endowment scholarship to benefit future NDSCS students enrolled in the Building Construction Technology program. They were able to utilize the North Dakota Challenge Matching Grant program to increase their scholarship.

Arlen enjoys using his construction skills and artistic abilities by creating wood artwork. It has been our honor to include several of his pieces in our annual DREAMS Auction.