Harding University civil engineering students win first place in steel bridge competition

June 28, 2023|

SEARCY, Ark. (June 28, 2023) — Civil engineering students from Harding University received the first place award in the 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers Mid-South Regional Symposium, hosted earlier this year in Chattanooga, Tennessee, launching them to a 24th place ranking at the national event.

The annual regional competition challenges teams to develop a scale-model steel bridge. The bridge must span approximately 20 feet, carry 2,500 pounds and meet additional specifications. The competition included 12 schools from Arkansas and Tennessee. The students won first place and were awarded a trip to the 2023 American Institute of Steel Construction Student Steel Bridge Competition National Finals, where they competed against 43 of the top performing schools at University of California, San Diego. Harding students Miles Burgess, Ciera Drum, Matthew Fortkamp, Sheila Qirjaqi, Josh Stewart, Rebecca Vasel, Jordan Hatman and Kaiden Vanderpoel formed the competition team.

"The Harding University Civil Engineering students have completed their steel bridge journey for the 2023 year,” said Joey Parker, engineering instructor. “The students have experienced some amazing success in qualifying for the National SSBC event and placing 24th overall out of 43 top schools in the nation. Thank you to all of those who sponsored, guided and prayed for us along the way — none of this would be possible without you."

Additionally, the team was awarded the John M. Yadlosky Most Improved Team Award at the 2023 AISC SSBC National Finals for the accelerated success they have achieved in only three years of competition. This achievement demonstrates Harding University’s commitment to providing the skills and knowledge necessary for future civil engineers. The engineering and physics department’s overarching goal is to provide an educational experience that develops a Christian worldview while training students to work in highly technical and multidisciplinary fields.

For more information about Harding University’s ABET accredited civil engineering program, visit harding.edu/engineering .

Harding University is a private Christian, liberal arts university located in Searcy, Arkansas. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it is the largest private university in the state. Harding’s student body represents students from across the U.S. and more than 50 nations and territories. The University offers more than 110 undergraduate majors; 14 preprofessional programs; more than 40 graduate and professional programs; as well as numerous study abroad opportunities including locations in Australasia, Peru, Europe, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information, visit harding.edu .

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