Purdue University's department of Building Construction Management (BCM) chartered the first Mechanical Contractors Association Student Chapter in 1993. The MCA Student Chapter was founded by a handful of students that were interested in mechanical construction and by its first chapter advisor John Koontz. The MCA Student Chapter is sponsored by the MCA of Indiana, MCAA and many Mechanical Contractors and Suppliers. The student chapter has grown since its conception and now has a membership of 50 students.

The Purdue University BCM Department also has developed a Mechanical Construction Specialization that was approved in 1997. This course of study is in addition to the standard BCM degree that a student earns upon graduation.

The Purdue MCA is an active organization that participates as guests at regional, national MCA business meetings, mechanical contractors home offices, and to mechanical suppliers. The group tries to take as many field trips as possible to different mechanical contractors offices, job sites and suppliers every semester.

Additionally, Purdue MCA sends a student contingent to the annual national convention were ever it is going to be held. The most recent was in Maui, HI in March of 2006. The next trip will be in Orlando, FL in February of 2007. This interaction between industry and our MCA Student Chapter is what gives us the strength to continually grow and gain the insight to prepare for a career in mechanical construction.