The UCLA Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) has been recognized four times in the past two months for the support of their members and their performance at competitions.
In February, at the ASCE Los Angeles Younger Member Forum (LA YMF) Annual Awards Banquet, UCLA received the Outstanding Chapter award, which is based on overall performance throughout the year, including professional career events, social events, community service, and outreach events. There were 11 schools (CBU, CSULA, CSUN, LMU, UCLA, USC, CSUF, CSULB, UCI, CPP, and CPSLO) eligible for that award. Each school was required to submit a short video and report on their activities.
In March, the UCLA Chapter hosted the annual Pacific Southwest Regional Conference, which includes 18 colleges and universities in southern California, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii. Student teams compete in technical and nontechnical competitions including concrete canoe, surveying, environmental design, and several other areas. All events and competitions were virtual this year. UCLA finished first overall as determined by scoring from judges from local civil engineering companies.
In addition, UCLA’s first place overall performance in the PSWC Concrete Canoe Competition earned an official invitation to participate in the first ever Virtual ASCE Society-wide Concrete Canoe Competition, June 25-27. This year the competition will be held online and hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and ASCE.
Earlier this month, the UCLA Chapter was also selected by the ASCE Committee on Student Members to receive a Certificate of Commendation for its outstanding activities as recorded in its 2020 Chapter Annual Report. This is a distinction earned by only the top 5 percent of all ASCE Student Organizations nationwide. Their comprehensive 40-page report highlights chapter activities and events during 2020.
Yuen Lenh, current president of UCLA ASCE, comments on the past year,: “I am incredibly proud of our chapter accomplishments, but even more proud of our officers and members who have persevered through the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and remained diligent and dedicated to ASCE. I would also like to thank our alumni, sponsors, and CEE faculty and staff for their support.”
The UCLA ASCE chapter was established in 1959, and currently has 245 members.