A team of civil and environmental engineering seniors from The University of Toledo — Robert Belair, Seth Deitering, Collin Gaerke, Alexus Hofacre and Alexander Neumann, all of whom graduated in December — achieved second place in Contech Engineered Solutions’ 2024 Urban Stormwater Challenge last month.
Competing against nearly 100 teams, the UToledo students showcased their innovative stormwater management design tailored for a commercial development.
A team of civil and environmental engineering seniors from UToledo earned second place in Contech Engineered Solutions’ 2024 Urban Stormwater Challenge last month. From left, Alexus Hofacre, Robert Belair, Alex Neumann, Collin Gaerke and Seth Deitering.
The competition tasked participants with creating systems that control and regulate stormwater discharge while meeting stringent local environmental requirements. The UToledo team conducted stormwater analyses, identified cost-effective best management practices and developed a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). They integrated their findings into a comprehensive site plan and detailed AutoCAD drawings, culminating in a professional report submission.
Advancing to the final round as one of the top three teams, the UToledo group impressed judges with their presentation and secured second place, earning a $3,000 cash prize.
“We’re incredibly proud of our students for their exceptional work and innovative approach,” said Dr. Defne Apul, professor and chair of the Civil Engineering Department. “This achievement underscores the practical skills and expertise our students bring to real-world engineering challenges.”
The Urban Stormwater Challenge not only provided students with hands-on experience but also highlighted UToledo’s strong engineering curriculum and commitment to environmental solutions.
Following graduation, all five members of the team are working at engineering firms: Belair is a full-time engineer at OHM Advisors; Deitering is an engineer at E.S. Wagner Co.; Gaerke is a transportation engineer at Stantec; Hofacre is an environmental project engineer at Independence Excavating; and Neumann is a staff professional at Energy Land and Infrastructure.
For more information on the competition, visit the Contech Engineered Solutions website.
