NEWS

The Louisiana Tech University Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers delivered an outstanding performance at the 2025 ASCE Gulf Coast Student Symposium, held March 7–9 at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. Competing against top universities from across the region, the team brought home a collection of top honors across multiple events, once again showcasing the excellence and competitive spirit of the College of Engineering and Science.

The highlight of the weekend was the Concrete Canoe Competition, where the Louisiana Tech team earned first place overall, securing their spot at the national championship later this year. Team captain Jesse Bertucci touted the team’s effort leading up to the competition.

“I am extremely proud of the team for our work throughout the entire year,” Bertucci stated. “The team consists of only 13 active members, the majority being first-year members. The team dedicated over 2,000 man hours to prepare for the Student Symposium, and our hard work paid off.”

Their performance was dominant across several categories:

• First Place – Men’s Sprint
• First Place – Co-ed Sprint
• Second Place – Women’s Slalom
• First Place – Men’s Slalom
• Second Place – Final Product Prototype
• Second Place – Project Proposal
• First Place – Technical Presentation

In the Steel Bridge Competition, the team also earned first place in Aesthetics, reflecting the exceptional design and craftsmanship of their entry.

Additional accolades from other events include:

• Second Place – Paper and Presentation Competition (Mead Paper Competition)
• Second Place – Water Resources Competition
• Third Place – Pre-stressed Mini Beam Competition

“This year’s results are the culmination of countless hours of preparation, innovation, and teamwork,” said Dr. Elizabeth Matthews, the faculty advisor of the Louisiana Tech ASCE Chapter and associate professor and program chair of civil engineering. “Our students continually impress me with their commitment to excellence and their passion for civil engineering. I’m incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to see them represent Louisiana Tech at the national level.”

With their first-place finish in the Concrete Canoe Competition, the Louisiana Tech ASCE Chapter has earned a coveted spot at the ASCE Concrete Canoe National Competition, which will be held this June at Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) College of Engineering in Los Angeles, California. There, they will compete against top teams from across the country for national recognition.