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SLU’s ASCE Student Chapter Earns First Place Overall at Mid-America Symposium

05/03/2024

Saint Louis University’s student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) participated in the ASCE Mid-America Student Symposium in Rolla, Missouri on April 18-21. ASCE-SLU was recognized as the best team in the overall competition and earned the First Place Overall title.

ASCE-SLU celebrates all their achievements at the ASCE Mid-America Student Symposium in Rolla. The team was recognized as the best team in the overall competition and earned the First Place Overall title. Photo submitted.

ASCE-SLU celebrates all their achievements at the ASCE Mid-America Student Symposium in Rolla. The team was recognized as the best team in the overall competition and earned the First Place Overall title. Photo submitted.

SLU participated in eight competitions; earned the first-place award in five competitions, earned second place in two competitions and third place in one competition. These competitions include: 

“This accomplishment is a culmination of a multi-year effort by civil engineering students to re-establish the student chapter at the School of Science and Engineering," said Jalil Kianfar, Ph.D., associate professor of civil engineering and chapter advisor since 2021. "Collectively, students have planned, fundraised, practiced, and strategized their participation in the student symposium. This result showcases the leadership, communication, and teamwork skills of our students, and reflects the hands-on and experiential opportunities that the civil engineering program offers to undergraduate students."

Mid-America Student Symposium

The Mid-America Symposium included 16 civil engineering programs from Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. This is the first time ASCE-SLU has earned first place in the student symposium. Last year, SLU earned the overall 2nd place in the student symposium held at Kansas State University. 

"We celebrate the achievements of ASCE-SLU students at the mid-American symposium”, said Gregory E. Triplett Jr., Ph.D., Oliver L. Parks Dean of Saint Louis University's School of Science and Engineering. "The culmination of their hard work displayed the innovative spirit, dedication, and commitment to excellence that we witness every day at the School of Science and Engineering. The students' accomplishments, which included nine 1st through 3rd place awards, are products of their passion and perseverance and serve as stepping stones to even greater accomplishments."

Laura Gray (Civil Engineering, Class of 2024) serves as the conference chair of ASCE-SLU in the past two year and has led the efforts for planning and participation in the symposium.

 "I could not be prouder of our civil engineering department and its students for our performance at the recent 2024 ASCE Mid-America Student Symposium," Gray said. "This year we were able to take 27 students, ranging from freshman through senior, to compete in eight civil engineering competitions that bring what we learn in the classroom into the real world. Last year was our first year competing in over six years and we won second overall, so I am really happy that I get to share this first place overall win with my classmates as we approach graduation." 

SLU students take part in a steel bridge competition at the ASCE Mid-America Student Symposium. Photo submitted.

SLU students take part in a steel bridge competition at the ASCE Mid-America Student Symposium. Photo submitted.

Morgan Voissem (Civil Engineering, Class of 2024) serves as the chapter president and oversees the entire chapter activities.

"My year as student chapter president of ASCE-SLU has been a highlight of my undergraduate experience," Voissem said. "Our achievements at this year's ASCE Mid-America Student Symposium demonstrate the excellence of our students and faculty mentors. I am so proud of and thankful for our student chapter, for the opportunities I have received and the memories I have made along the way."

ASCE-SLU accolades are not limited to academic recognitions. This past week, the chapter received the 'Leadership and Service Award' for 'Outstanding Co-Sponsored Programs' from the Saint Louis University Student Involvement Center. The chapter earned this campus-wide recognition for their efforts to bring student organizations in the School of Science and Engineering together through a variety of social activities related to the well-being of students. 

Shortly after the Mid-America student symposium, ASCE-SLU received two other recognitions. This time from the ASCE headquarters. The chapter was awarded the “ 2024 Letter of Significant Improvement” by ASCE  Committee on Student Members. Additionally, the chapter received “2024 Letter of Honorable Mention” for its outstanding activities as recorded in the 2023 calendar year.

The chapter offers a range of activities to connect students with alumni, provide networking opportunities, and serve the public. The chapter members hosted a table in August and February at the St. Louis Science Center SciFest to educate the public about STEM and civil engineering. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the chapter provided field trips, technical presentations, and networking events with civil engineering professionals from the St. Louis region and ASCE Younger Member Groups.