ASCE has honored the California State University, Northridge ASCE Student Chapter with the Robert Ridgway Student Chapter Award, for excellence in the effective and meritorious conduct of its affairs as a student chapter of ASCE through the ability and professional diligence of the chapter officers, members, and faculty advisors.
ASCE has promoted excellence among its student chapters by awarding the Robert Ridgway Student Chapter Award in honor of former ASCE President Robert Ridgway. This award is made annually to the single most outstanding student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
The California State University, Northridge Student Chapter (CSUN) is a resourceful group of students who have a deep commitment to ASCE. In a uniquely challenging year, CSUN was able to immediately pivot to virtual engagement with a number of initiatives, including their Pandemic Presentation Series, focused specifically on issues related to the pandemic, as well as 17 professional presentations featuring engineers working in transportation, water, structural, environmental, and construction. They were also able to organize 22 pandemic-friendly social functions including movie watch parties, hikes, and game nights. CSUN has 83 student chapter members, all of which are ASCE members.
By using the virtual environment to their advantage, they were able to increase their number of collaborative events with other engineering organizations by 40%.
The number of community service projects that CSUN put together is impressive! Even with the switch from in-person to a virtual environment, they were able to increase the number of their community service events from four to 10 by collaborating with universities outside of their region. Activities included an initiative to promote local small businesses facing challenges due to the pandemic, a virtual DIY Bridge competition for elementary and middle school students, clothing drives, and two virtual fitness challenges to raise money for nonprofits.
The Robert Ridgway Student Chapter Award is made to the single most outstanding student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
