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The ASCE student chapter of George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing hosted the 2024 ASCE Mid-Atlantic West student symposium on April 11 - 13. George Mason teams claimed victory in the Steel Bridge competition and will head to nationals at Louisiana State University on May 31. Other winning teams from George Mason included the ASCE Sustainable Solution team which won 2nd place overall and the 3D Printing team which won 1st place.
“The symposium was a fabulous event that showcased our high-end facilities at Mason and added to the experiential learning opportunities that CEIE so cherishes,” said Professor and Department Chair Elise Miller-Hooks. “The students had a chance to try out the concepts they learn in the classroom and put to the test their concrete canoes, steel bridges and their skills in a fun, but competitive setting.”
The ASCE student chapter welcomed around 250 students from other chapters, and they competed in different events in various locations on and off campus. Leesylvania State Park hosted the Concrete Canoe Races, the Surveying Team Competition, and the ASCE talent show. The teams gathered in EagleBank Arena for steel bridge and 3D Printing Competitions while Sustainable Solutions and Student Symposium paper competitions shared presentations in the Nguyen Engineering Building.
Omar Abu-Khalifa, the chapter vice president added, "In addition to having fun, and witnessing the spirit of unity and friendship; planning the symposium offered me the opportunity to improve my time management, active listening, and teamwork skills."
Photo by John Boal
Approximately 50 judges and volunteers participated in and supported different competitions and student activities throughout the symposium. “I am incredibly grateful to the judges and volunteers who collaborated to create an unforgettable experience for all participating students. As part of the symposium, we organized enjoyable activities such as streaming the ASCE Cities of the Future movie at Johnson Center Cinema and hosting an entertainment show by Celebrity Mentalist Christophe Fox” said Doaa Bondok, ASCE faculty advisor. “Our student leaders did a phenomenal job organizing and collaborating on this. Philip and Omar who assisted in the planning, David Farris who headed up symposium safety along with Douglass O'neal and David Algert. Their energy and enthusiasm were invaluable.”
Miller-Hooks added, “My favorite part of the 2-day event was the gala dinner. It was incredible to see so many civil engineers in the making enjoying dinner together from across the region.”
Other Mid-Atlantic West schools included: Bucknell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Catholic University of America, Geneva College, George Washington University, Howard University, Messiah College, Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg, Pennsylvania State University-University Park, Point Park University, University of District of Columbia-Van Ness Campus, University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, York College of Pennsylvania