Bridging Chapters. Building Futures. 2026 ASCE Frontier Student Symposium Recap

Author: Bobbie Fealy PE

A record-setting 850 students and professionals from Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma gathered in Robstown, TX, for the 2026 ASCE Frontier Student Symposium. Each year, the symposium provides attendees with opportunities to network with other members across the ASCE region while engaging in
friendly competition at both the society and local levels. Participants are challenged with evolving design parameters that deepen their understanding of real-world civil engineering applications in a fun, collaborative environment.

This year’s event was a joint planning effort between the student chapters of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Society-level competitions included Concrete Canoe, AISC/ASCE Steel Bridge, UESI Surveying, Sustainable Solutions, and the Timber-Strong Design Build (pilot program). Locally organized competitions added energy and creativity to the event, featuring beach volleyball, concrete bowling, concrete cornhole, FE Exam Jeopardy, mystery design, sandcastle building, a scavenger hunt, and tug-of-war. These events were made possible through the dedication of numerous
volunteers and supporters.

The symposium kicked off Wednesday with welcome remarks from Dr. David Ma (Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi) and Dr. Breanna Bailey (Texas A&M University–Kingsville), competition team Captain’s meetings, and thirteen student chapters setting up their Concrete Canoe final Product displays. Competitions began early Thursday morning at the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds, where twenty-two student chapters constructed steel bridges based on the 2026 challenge: designing a pedestrian crossing over the Rio Grande to better connect communities north of El Paso. Career Booth attendees stayed active with the students and were able to enjoy the Concrete Canoe displays and Steel
Bridge construction as they were positioned along the perimeter of the competition lanes.

Inspired by the 2025 ASCE Texas Section conference, CECON, in San Marcos, the student planners decided to incorporate panels to this year’s schedule to provide attendees the opportunity to engage with working professionals and better understand the opportunities available to them in the practicing field. Kendal Morrow of the ASCE Corpus Christi branch and Lead Planner Natalie Sepulveda led the coordination effort for the panels on State Licensure and First-Year Career Paths. Panels were moderated by student volunteers, Larizza Guerra of Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Arianna Garcia of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

After a demanding day of competition, participants gathered for a Poker Night Social hosted by the Corpus Christi Younger Members Group and led by Borderlands Sponsor and ASCE Committee on Student Conferences and Competitions Chair, Sean Merrell of BGE, Inc. Tournament winners included students from the University of Texas at San Antonio and Universidad de Sonora.

Friday featured thirteen concrete canoe teams racing in the Corpus Christi Marina. Protected by the jetty, calmer waters allowed for an exciting day of sprint races and included a finals heat this year, with spectators lining the seawall—an enduring piece of infrastructure built to mitigate hurricane damage following early 20th-century storms. Surveying competitions were also held at Water’s Edge Park, with courses prepared by BGE. Special thanks go to Sean Merrell, PE; surveyor Rene Silvas; Victor Murillo, PE (Hanson); and lead judge Grant Livergood (Kimley-Horn) for their contributions.

Not to miss out on a beautiful coastal day, students filled their time in the sun with local competitions, cheering on their teams, bridging chapters and building futures.

The day on the water ended at Whataburger Field watching a minor league baseball game (Corpus Christi Hooks v. Northwest Arkansas Naturals) with fireworks and a view of the new Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge.

The final day showcased the Timber-Strong Design Build pilot competition and the Sustainable Solutions challenge. Timber-Strong provided students interested in structural engineering the opportunity to design and construct a sustainable, two-story light-frame wooden structure using 100% renewable materials. Industry representatives from APA – The Engineered Wood Association and Simpson Strong-Tie supported teams and judges with technical expertise. Sustainable Solutions participants tackled the design and construction of a new data center in the fictional City of ASCE.

Each participating student chapter elected a speaker to present their ASCE Student Symposium Paper in a competition that emphasizes essential communication skills for all engineers. This year’s topic was Engineering the Public Welfare: How Civil Engineers Engage and Advance Communities Through Ethical Infrastructure Design in accordance with the ASCE Code of Ethics. Concrete Canoe teams presented their designs to judges on Saturday as well.

The awards banquet celebrated the success of our region and highlighted the technical skills and creativity of our 38 university chapters. Society Director and Region 6 Board of Governors Chair, Kensey Russell served as the keynote speaker and CSCC Chair Sean Merrell addressed the attendees to congratulate their successes. Dr. Bullard as Head Judge recognized all competition winners and awarded the University of Texas – Tyler with the Spirit of the Competition Award for their chapter’s demonstration of exceptional camaraderie, attitude, and sportsmanship. Dr. Yongtao Dong received recognition as the Texas Section 2026 Outstanding Faculty Advisor for his demonstration of outstanding leadership and
support to the Texas State University student chapter.

The success of the 2026 symposium was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, ASCE Region 6 governors, the ASCE Texas Section, and professionals from both host universities. Special recognition goes to Head Judge Dr. Brittany Bullard and Symposium Chair Bobbie Fealy, PE, for their leadership and dedication.

ASCE Society competition results, event photos, and a full list of participating institutions
are available on the ASCE Frontier website.