UA Little Rock American Society of Civil Engineer (ASCE) Students Earn Multiple Awards at Mid-South Symposium

Students from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) chapter showcased their skills at the 2026 ASCE Mid-South Student Symposium, held April 9–11 at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Competing against top programs from across the region—including Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Memphis—UA Little Rock students earned multiple awards across several major competitions.

Strong Finishes Across Competitions

The team earned 2nd place overall in the Concrete Canoe competition, marking their third consecutive year with a podium finish.

A cornerstone of civil engineering student competitions since the 1970s, the Concrete Canoe competition challenges teams to design, construct, and race a functional canoe made entirely of concrete. Beyond engineering skill, the event emphasizes teamwork, innovation, and technical design.

This year’s competition also included a proposal component, where teams developed and presented designs for a prototype standardized canoe, adding an extra layer of strategy and real-world application.

They also placed 3rd overall in the Student Symposium Paper Competition and 3rd in the t-shirt design competition.

A Milestone Return to Steel Bridge

In addition, the team received the Aesthetics Award in the AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition, a notable achievement as it marked UA Little Rock’s first time competing in the event in over a decade.

These accomplishments highlight the strength, creativity, and dedication of UA Little Rock’s civil engineering students as they continue to compete at a high level against some of the nation’s largest universities.

Want to get involved?

Learn more about the American Society of Civil Engineering and connect with UA Little Rock’s chapter on Trojan Engage or follow them on Instagram.