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March 2005

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Villanova plays host to Philadelphia Regional Future City Competition in honor of Engineering Department's 100th anniversary
By Amy Sirianni '06

   On Jan. 9, three students from Our Lady Help of Christians Middle School combined to win first place at the 10^th annual National Engineers’ Week Philadelphia Regional Future City Competition, held in Villanova University’s Jake Nevin Field House. Villanova hosted this event in anticipation of the 100^th anniversary of the school’s College of Engineering which will begin in fall 2005.

   The winning students, Grace Givnish, Stephen Kenas, and Luke Sawick, who defeated 300 other seventh and eighth grade students from 30 competing area schools, proceeded to the national competition held in Washington, D.C., Feb. 21-23, during Engineer’s Week. The national competition, sponsored by Bentley Systems, Inc., includes teams from 32 different regions.  

   “My heart is racing right now,” Givnish said when her school’s team was announced as the winner.

   In addition to awards presented to the top six finalists, 42 special awards were given, each highlighting an important aspect of engineering. The Villanova University award, granted for attention to educational facilities, was received by New Hope-Solebury Middle School. The award, presented by Dr. Kenneth Kroos, associate professor of mechanical engineering, consisted of a $150 prize and a plaque for each team member.

   Shell Oil Company, the primary sponsor of the event, presented its $300 special award for outstanding engineering performance to Carl Sandburg Middle School, Independence Home School, and Kutztown Area Middle School.

   “Our children’s futures are important to us as parents and employers,” Debbie Grant, Shell representative and Villanova graduate, said before presenting Shell’s special award. “It has become increasingly important for education and business to work together.”  

   In the competition’s 10 years of existence, this is the first year it was held at Villanova.     

   “We are excited for the new venue this year,” said John Kampmeyer, the regional coordinator of the event. “We have been cramped in the past.” He hopes that Villanova will host the event next year.