Boston, MA – April 30, 2007 – Wentworth Institute of Technology hosted the Northeastern Regional Concrete Canoe Competition on April 27-28, 2007, which brought together 12 colleges in a team competition of civil engineering students, sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The competition provides students with a practical application of the engineering principles they learn in the classroom, along with important team and project management skills they will need in their careers. (See photos.)

The competition consists of four, equally weighted sections: aesthetics, design reports, oral presentations, and the race, which took place on Lake Cochituate in Natick. Each school was represented by three sets of teams that participated in two races - the slalom and the sprint race. The three sets of teams were comprised of two women, two men, and a combined team of two men and two women.

“The event challenges the students’ knowledge, creativity and stamina, while showcasing the versatility and durability of concrete as a building material,” said Henderson Pritchard, Department Head of the Civil, Construction, and Environment Department. “This is the first year the event has been hosted by Wentworth, and we were thrilled to be able to bring together students and schools in a friendly competition as they pursue career interests.”

Wentworth earned a fifth place finish in the overall competition. For the second consecutive year, the University of Maine (Orono, Maine) won the competition, followed by Laval University (Quebec, Canada) and Roger Williams University (Bristol, Rhode Island). This year’s winner will compete for a national title in June in Seattle, Washington.

The 12 colleges that participated in the event include: Laval University, Northeastern University, Roger Williams, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, University of New Haven, University of Rhode Island, and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Wentworth Institute of Technology
Founded in 1904, Wentworth Institute of Technology is an independent, co-educational nationally ranked institution offering career-focused education through 15 bachelor degree programs in areas such as architecture, computer science, construction management, design, engineering, engineering technology, and management of technology. For over a century, Wentworth Institute of Technology has been a leader in technical education known for its academic excellence, community service, and support for the economic growth of the region. For more information, please visit www.wit.edu.