It was a weekend of Spirit, Determination, and Symposium Success
From April 10–12, 2025, the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering at Clemson University proudly hosted the 2025 ASCE Carolinas Student Symposium, welcoming over 350 students and 125 volunteers—a vibrant mix of alumni, industry partners, and fellow students—for three unforgettable days of competitions, community, and civil engineering camaraderie.
Tailgates, Tunes, and Tiger Spirit
The event kicked off Thursday evening with a welcome tailgate hosted by our incredible industry sponsors—a heartfelt thank-you to each of them for making the symposium possible! Though rain forced us to relocate, the North Concourse of Memorial Stadium transformed into a spirited gathering space. Students enjoyed classic tailgate fare, axe throwing, and live music from Gert Arwood’s band, with a special appearance by The Tiger Cub, who brought Clemson pride to the party.
Racing, Building, and Sinking with Style
Friday’s events unfolded at Snow Family Outdoor Fitness and Wellness Complex, nestled along the shores of Hartwell Lake.
The highlight? The always-thrilling Concrete Canoe Races, which brought both glory and grit.
- UNC Charlotte took home first place honors.
- Clemson secured a strong second.
- The Citadel faced an unexpected structural mishap but earned admiration by swimming their canoe remains across the finish line.
- And who could forget NC State’s “The Godfather”—a dramatic sinking captured hearts as one paddler bailed while the other kept powering forward. Bravo for the effort!
The beach was also alive with action:
- A Geotech Sandcastle Contest turned soil mechanics into sculpture.
- Surveying challenges stretched along the lakefront.
- And Clemson’s new intramural baseball field hosted the Concrete Bat Competition, swinging engineering into play.
Coliseum Construction and Campus-Wide Creativity
Saturday brought the energy back to Clemson’s Athletic District, with Littlejohn Coliseum buzzing as teams tackled the Steel Bridge and Timber Strong Design-Build competitions, along with Surveying Plattes, Sustainable Solutions, and the Freshmore Challenge.
Meanwhile, the West End Zone, IPTAY Club, and the President’s Suite hosted a showcase of innovation and creativity with:
- Mission to Mars,
- Design Competition,
- and the ever-popular 3D Printed Bridge, among others.
Saturday Night Sendoff – Banquet Under the Stadium Lights
The symposium concluded with a celebratory Awards Banquet on Saturday night, held in the West End Zone Club of Memorial Stadium. The evening was full of Tiger pride and recognition, highlighted by keynote remarks from ASCE President-Elect Marsha Anderson Bomar, who inspired students and guests alike with her vision for the future of civil engineering. Throughout the night, sponsors and student teams were featured on the stadium’s jumbo tron, overlooking a football field temporarily transformed into a baseball diamond for the upcoming Savannah Bananas showcase. The space-themed awards ceremony carried the weekend’s galactic flair into the final celebration, with spirited photos taken against the backdrop of Death Valley and an atmosphere of pride, connection, and celebration.
Thank you, sponsors!
The 2025 ASCE Carolinas Student Symposium was a resounding success thanks to the dedication of volunteers, the generosity of sponsors, and the enthusiasm of every student who competed, cheered, or simply joined the experience. We are proud to have shared this moment of professional growth, friendship, and fierce competition with so many future civil engineers.
Go Tigers—and go civil engineering!
