Student civil engineering chapter named tops in the nation

Mississippi State student members of the American Society of Civil Engineers have taken top honors in the nation for a student chapter.

The students recently received the Robert Ridgway Student Chapter Award for 1995. It is given to "the single most outstanding" student chapter in the nation, according to ASCE.

Previous winners have included chapters at California Polytechnic State University, Northeastern University, Cornell University, and Brigham Young University, among others.

"Mississippi State is the first Southern school to take home this award," said civil engineering professor Dr. Dennis Truax, faculty adviser.

The Mississippi State chapter has been a Ridgway finalist four times previously, Truax said. "We're in competition against some very tough schools," he noted.

Students are judged on the quality of community service projects, promotion of the civil engineering profession, and participation in professional activities.

Among the 15 service projects Mississippi State's chapter undertook last year were developing an environmental handbook for farmers, helping a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate build a warehouse, renovating a playground at a local elementary school, and adopting 2.7 miles of a state highway.

"Our students have worked extremely hard for this honor," said Truax. "The award is a recognition of their professional growth and the contributions they will make as practicing civil engineers."

Mississippi State's student chapter previously has received nine certificates of commendation from ASCE, and twice has earned a vice president's award for the region.