Fall 1998

ASCE Student chapter named nation's best

Cecil Lobo would certainly be proud. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers — named in honor of their longtime faculty adviser — was named the nation’s best chapter based on outstanding community service, professional activities, and performance in national and regional engineering competitions.

Rose-Hulman becomes the smallest college to receive the Robert Ridgway Award. Past winners include Brigham Young University, Kansas State University, Cornell University and Mississippi State University.

“This is a significant achievement for our ASCE chapter, the Civil Engineering Department and Rose-Hulman,” said 1997 ASCE Chapter President Brent Nemeth (Civil, ‘98). “A lot of hard work and dedication went into earning this award.”

The ASCE chapter has been a Ridgway finalist in each of the past three years and earned national Certificate of Commendations in 15 of the past 16 years.

“It was clear to the (selection) committee that your chapter has attained a unique level of dedication to the civil engineering profession as well as the community,” stated Roshena Ham of ASCE’s National Committee on Student Services.

Rose-Hulman’s chapter has a distinguished record of community and public service. The group has been the largest financial contributor to the Terre Haute Tribune-Star’s Christmas Basket Fund, raising $6,186 during the past six years; constructed two wheelchair ramps for local citizens; helped Habitat for Humanity renovate a Terre Haute home; organized charity golf tournaments for the American Red Cross of the Wabash Valley and Habitat for Humanity; and examined water samples of the Wabash River and Lost Creek for the state-sponsored Riverwatch project.

On campus, ASCE members built a steel sculpture and plaza in Lobo’s memory; constructed a concrete wheelchair ramp during Campus Beautification Day; conducted balsa wood bridge and concrete mix design competitions during Family Weekend; and organized educational programs for local middle school and high school students interested in engineering and science.

“Community service is what puts the ASCE chapter above its peers and paves the way for our students to become professional engineers that are good citizens in the future,” said James McKinney, chairperson of the Civil Engineering Department. “ASCE is the glue that ties our programs together. It serves as a transition in the student’s development from an academic into a professional.”

In engineering competitions, Rose-Hulman’s Steel Bridge Team earned first place in the 1997 Great Lakes region and finished second for construction time in the national finals. The Timber Bridge Team placed seventh nationally; ASCE members placed first at the Indiana senior design contest; and Pete Haug (Civil, ‘98) was second regionally in the Daniel Mead research paper contest.

The ASCE chapter includes 76 civil engineering students, attracting 94 percent of seniors and juniors. Joining Nemeth as club officers in 1997 were Brad Schnarr (Civil, ‘98), vice president; Ben Merkling, treasurer, a senior; Haug, secretary; and James Tedrick, newsletter editor, a junior. Thomas Descoteaux is the chapter’s faculty adviser. Kevin Forbes (Civil, ‘85), director of engineering for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and McKinney are professional contact members.

The Ridgway Award is a tribute to Lobo, the ASCE chapter adviser for 27 years before his death in 1997.

“Cecil’s hard work put us on the door step of winning the award and the students’ determination was to bring home the Ridgway Award in honor of Cecil’s memory. I’m very proud of them and their efforts,” Descoteaux said.

— by Dale Long