FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Students from the civil engineering department at the University of Arkansas received the "Spirit of the Conference" Award at the American Society of Civil Engineers (AACE) Annual Concrete Canoe and Steel Bridge Challenge, held this year in Lincoln, Neb. The team received the award after taking part in every activity during the competition. The department is now displaying the traveling trophy that recognizes extraordinary spirit.

During the conference, one student team from the U of A came in second and another third in the K'NEX competition. Students had to design and build a structure using the construction toy and load it until the structure failed.

In the concrete bowling ball tournament, the UA team placed third. Students built the bowling ball, then bowled three frames with it. Judging was based on overall bowling score and the ball's pre-bowling appearance.

Another UA student team place third in the 'mystery competition.' Students were given an objective Ð in this case, transporting a teammate down a flume Ð then had to design, "buy"supplies from the contest and build their creation. The team that "spent" the least amount of money while achieving the objective, won. The University of Arkansas team spent $20 outfitting their teammate in a go-kart to travel down the flume.

Finally, Jessica Keahey, who was recently selected Outstanding Senior for the College of Engineering, received second place in the political paper category. She spoke on the topic "Why Engineers Should Be Active in Politics."

The UA concrete canoe did well in preliminary competition, but rough roads between Fayetteville and Lincoln did nothing to pave the way to success. Upon arrival at the competition, the team found enough travel-induced cracks in their canoe to effectively sink their chances.

Twenty-two students and three faculty members attended the competition, which included teams from the University of Missouri - Rolla, the University of Illinois-Carbondale and the University of Kansas among others.