Students, alumni, faculty, and industry partners recently came together to celebrate 100 years of the School of Engineering’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), as well as partake in some fun collaboration.
One of the highlights of the Nov. 14 event was a hands-on design challenge. Seven teams—made up of students, CE alumni, faculty, and industry partners—worked together to design and build dog houses using rolled newspapers and cardboard in rooms throughout the Featheringill atrium.
There were some creative designs, like “The Disco Doghouse Dojo,” “The Commodore Clubhouse,” and the “Jack and Max Mansion.”
“It was a tight race, and eventually, the ‘Kirkland Tower’ won because of their internal rolled newspaper design, and the warm reception it had with the dog judges (Vanderbilt K-9 members, Corporals Max and Jack),” said Ghina Absi, ASCE co-advisor and assistant professor of the practice of civil and environmental engineering at Vanderbilt.
Lori Troxel, professor of the practice of civil and environmental engineering, has been the Vanderbilt ASCE advisor for nearly 30 years and said she never tires of seeing student engagement.
“The Vanderbilt ASCE students have gone above and beyond in hosting career fairs, weekly speaker meetings, service projects, and social activities,” Troxel said. “It has been a joy to work alongside Vanderbilt ASCE for over 25 years!”
The event concluded with a Nashville Branch ASCE dinner that featured guest speaker Hussam Mahmoud, Craig E. Philip Endowed Chair of Engineering, professor of civil and environmental engineering, and director of the Vanderbilt Center for Sustainability, Energy, and Climate. Mahmoud said being asked to speak was a privilege.
“Celebrating 100 years of student excellence and professional impact reminds us that Vanderbilt students have been leading the way since the very beginning and of the responsibility they carry as they move the profession forward,” he said. “Their dedication is especially evident in the ASCE design challenge, where students consistently demonstrate the creativity and innovative spirit that have defined Vanderbilt for a century.”
To learn more about ASCE, visit: https://www.asce.org/.