UTEP will be competing in the Texas-Mexico Regional Concrete Canoe competition on April 25 through 26, 2014, which is hosted at the University of Texas at Tyler, in Tyler, Texas. The team is building a concrete canoe and will compete against other universities on the design of the canoe, the quality of the finished concrete, an oral presentation, and a paddling race. The winner of the Texas-Mexico Competition will be invited to compete at the national competition that will take place in June 2014 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
The concrete canoe team, “Team Legacy,” is actively fundraising to cover expenses, such as building materials, tools, supplies, and travel expenses, and is asking for contributions to help with this year’s competition.
For more information, visit the Concrete Canoe section on the ASCE website. Or contact Cristobal Robles (cirobles@miner.utep.edu) or Jorge Velarde (javelardemoreno@miner.utep.edu).
Author: admin
UTEP Concrete Canoe Team
Congratulations to the 2014 Engineer of the Year, Robert Gonzales, PE!
Mr. Gonzales has over 28 years of managing projects in El Paso and Doña Ana County, New Mexico from the predesign phase through construction management and final project acceptance. Robert is a lifelong resident of El Paso and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso and has been licensed as a Professional Engineer in the State of Texas since 1991. His career began with the Texas Department of Transportation. In 2002, Robert founded Quantum Engineering Consultants, Inc. and has since been providing services on numerous City of El Paso Street and Drainage Improvement Projects, Quality of Life projects, various types of bond projects with El Paso Independent School District and high profile projects with the University of Texas at El Paso.
Robert has always been very involved in the El Paso community, particularly in improving the region’s recreational amenities and preventive health awareness. Mr. Gonzales helped develop the Bikeways Study for the City of El Paso’s Metropolitan Planning Organization and is also an avid bicycle advocate for the City of El Paso. Mr. Gonzales is a member of the TxDOT Bicycle Advisory Committee representing West Texas. Mr. Gonzales was involved in the Subdivision Ordinance Rewrite and updates for the City of El Paso, Dona Ana County, and the County of El Paso. His focus is building better communities which involves designing sites that are not only better for the environment, but more cost effective to operate and healthier for the people who will utilize them. In addition, he has led a number of projects utilizing SmartCode principles, where alternative engineering solutions were proposed and accepted.
Mr. Gonzales is also an accomplished multisport athlete with a career that has spanned over 25 years. Most recently, he placed 5th in the 50 – 54 age group at the World Duathlon Championships in Gijon, Spain (2011), was the 2012 National Sprint Triathlon Champion in the 50 – 54 age group in Burlington, Vermont, and 2013 Runner- Up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is a three time Hawaii Ironman finisher and winner of numerous multisport events throughout the United States. Mr. Gonzales was inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
In recent years, he has focused his attention on providing inspiration to the youth of El Paso by giving presentations on the dangers of drug use, as a Race Director for various children’s multi -sport events, and by mentoring young athletes as they embark on their own athletic careers.2012 ASCE El Paso Young Civil Engineer of the Year Award Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for the ASCE El Paso Branch Young Civil Engineer of the Year Award. Please submit the name, organization, and contact information of an ASCE member you would like to nominate to Marvin Gomez at mgomez@morenocardenas.com by January 1, 2013. Candidates must be ASCE members under 34 years of age by February 1, 2014.
Nominees must complete an official application.
UTEP To Host Regional Steel Bridge Competition
The University of Texas at El Paso Student Chapter of ASCE was selected at the Texas Section spring meeting by their fellow student chapters to host the 2013 Steel Bridge Texas-Mexico Regional Competition. Congratulations to the student chapter for being selected. The UTEP Student Chapter will need support not only financially but also for the required equipment, staff, and event organization. Anyone who is interested in volunteering or in providing financial support, please contact Wendy Arredondo at 915.532.7272 or visit their website at http://utepasce.wix.com/2013txmxregionalsbc for more information.
2012-2013 Proposed Slate of Officers
The following nominees are:
President Elect – Yvonne Conde, P.E.
Treasurer – Wendy M. Arredondo, E.I.T.
Secretary – Marvin Gomez, P.E.
Branch Directors 2012 – 2014
Roxanne Medina, P.E.
Thomas Vick, P.E.
Floor will be open for nominations prior to the election at the general meeting on Wednesday, May 23rd.
The following officers will be proceeding based on prior elections:
Past President – Katrina M. Martich, P.E.
President – Robert A. Gonzales, P.E.
Branch Directors 2011 – 2013
Chris Nance, P.E.
Jose Reyes, P.E.
Section Director 2011-2013
Isabel Vasquez, P.E.
ASCE Kids, Parents & Teachers
The ASCE website has a terrific section with plenty of resources for children to learn about the world of civil engineering. Check it out!
2012 Texas-Mexico Regional Steel Bridge Competition
The ASCE UTEP Steel Bridge Team competed at the 2012 Texas-Mexico Regional Steel Bridge Competition held at the University of Houston on Saturday, January 14th.
The ASCE UTEP Steel Bridge Team received:
- 1st Place in Economy
- 1st Place in Efficiency
- 1st Place in Speed
- 1st Place in Stiffness
- 2nd Place in Weight
AND FIRST PLACE OVERALL!
Texas A&M received 2nd Place overall, and México UAEM received 3rd Place overall. The UTEP Steel Bridge team will advance and compete in the National Competition at Clemson University, May 25th through May 27th.
CONGRATULATIONS ASCE UTEP STEEL BRIDGE TEAM!
Call for Papers and Posters
This is a general call for papers to be presented and posters to be displayed during the Texas Section Spring Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, April 18-21, 2012. Check the Texas Section website, www.texasce.org, for more information.
http://www.texasce.org/associations/10803/files/Sp12_Call_Papers.pdf
Sponser the ASCE UTEP Student Chapter Monthly Meetings
The UTEP Student Chapter of ASCE uses their funds to provide food at their monthly meetings. We would like to set up a sponsor for each meeting so that the student chapter does not have to use their competition/activity funds. If you are interested in sponsoring a meeting, please contact Wendy Arredondo at wbarron@qeceng.com or (915) 532-7272.
