The SUNY Canton American Society of Civil Engineers Student Chapter won second place in the Upstate New York Regional Steel Bridge Competition held Friday, April 21, at Syracuse University’s Carrier Dome.
Based on their success, the SUNY Canton students have been invited to participate in the National Steel Bridge Competition held May 26 at Oregon State University.
“We were one of thirteen universities who competed,” noted Paul D. Hitchman, a faculty advisor for the ASCE Student Chapter. “In addition to building a bridge, each team gave two presentations. Our students performed admirably against much larger universities in all categories.”
The SUNY Canton team was topped by their longtime rival, ETS of Montreal, but finished ahead of Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Waterloo, Hudson Valley Community College, the United States Military Academy and Clarkson University, among others.
The competition challenges students to design and build a bridge that can be put up faster and perform better than the other entries. Students begin planning for this competition during the fall semester. Once a design is settled, the bridge is then constructed entirely at SUNY Canton. During the competition, the students assemble it rapidly and then test it for strength among other criteria.
“We’ve learned a lot about leadership, time management, design, fabrication, communication and how to work as a team,” said ASCE Student Chapter President Alex Sterling, a Mechanical Engineering Technology major from Champlain. “Through the combined efforts of many students, faculty, and staff, SUNY Canton has created a bridge that rivals the best in the nation. We’ve been able to apply much of what we’ve learned along the way.”
Sterling is one of 25 students involved with the Steel Bridge Team. Other members include:
- Jonathan Abreu, a Mechanical Engineering Technology major from Port Jefferson Station.
- Kristoff J. Adderley, an Electrical Engineering Technology major from the Bahamas.
- Joseph M. Butera, a Civil Engineering Technology major from Auburn.
- Alexis M. Carreau, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Hoosick Falls.
- Kimberly Collins, an Engineering Science major from Saranac Lake.
- Justin Donaldson, a Mechanical Engineering Technology major from Newburgh.
- John Drews, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Sound Beach.
- Jessica L. Fischer, a Mechanical Engineering Technology major from Williamsville.
- Daniel C. Gagnon, a Mechanical Engineering Technology major from Rensselaer Falls.
- Nathanael R. Lalone, an Electrical Engineering Technology major from Marion.
- Colin Law, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Canastota.
- Erdous LeBron, an Industrial Technology Management major from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Ashley Livingston, Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Lisbon.
- Kyle Lorey, a Mechancial Engineering Technology major from Corning.
- Sean P. Marciano, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Mechanicville.
- Steven M. Martz, an Industrial Technology Management major from Hopewell Junction.
- Barandyk Nurdinova, A Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Canton.
- Sarah N. Nuss, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Wynantskill.
- Tyler Odell, a Mechanical Engineering Technology major from Hudson Falls.
- Daniel Olin, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Canton.
- Jocelyn Racette, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Port Kent.
- Kevin A. Segit, and Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems major from Fly Creek.
- Bromlen Steinburg, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Madrid.
- David P. Viruso, a Civil and Environmental Engineering Technology major from Victor.
They were assisted by Hitchman and Dennis E. Tuper, an instructional support associate in the Automotive Technology program. Numerous other faculty members in the Canino School of Engineering Technology are involved with the program. Eric S. Tessmer, owner of Riverside Iron, LLC in Gouverneur, sponsors the bridge. Tessmer is a 1991 alumnus who provided all of the steel for the build.