UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Survey Club won first place in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2026 Civil Engineering Student Championships, which were held June 25-27 at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia.
The club finished first place in the topographic mapping portion of the competition, second place in the field task portion and first place overall out of a 130-team field.
The ASCE says the competition “emphasizes the importance of surveying in civil engineering projects” by “challenging students to apply basic surveying principles to solve common industry problems.”
In the topographic mapping category, teams are given a data set and told to prepare and present a map that is scored by a panel of judges. The field portion usually requires a series of tasks, which might include staking out a building using a set of plans, or drafting plans to lay a sewer or underground network.
“We set the standard very high for ourselves,” said Elyse Norman, club president, who recently graduated with a degree in civil engineering. “We know we’re putting 110% into these competitions, and it feels good to be winning at a national level because we know we push ourselves to be great.”
Norman emphasized the importance of teamwork and shared responsibility being a factor in the club’s success.
“We take pride in teaching the fundamentals of each competition to our club so everyone has a chance to contribute,” Norman said. “We trust one another and the skills that we each have. We’re very well rounded and rely on one another.”
Kyle Kullman, vice president of the club and senior in civil engineering, echoed Norman’s sentiment, and said the club welcomed him when he knew little about surveying.
“I learned a little from a lot of people,” Kullman said. “This is what shaped my skillset. It makes each individual on our team unique, and it is my turn to pass on my knowledge and expertise to the younger members of our club.”
Norman, who now works for CDR Maguire Engineering, said her education and survey club experience gave her insights into understanding two fields that go hand-in-hand with one another.
“Engineers don’t always necessarily know what surveyors do, and vice versa, and having an understanding of both sides helps me know how to communicate what I need from each professional,” Norman said.
Brian Naberezny, assistant teaching professor of civil and environmental engineering, has been the faculty adviser of the survey club since its inception over a decade ago. He complimented the club on their work ethic toward not just the competitions, but in every aspect of the club.
“They’re putting in extra hours, nights and weekends,” he said. “Every week they’re practicing, preparing for competitions. They are often working with mentors or bosses from prior internships, and they’re not afraid to reach out and ask questions and get support.”
The club also recently won first place at the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) Student Competition, which occurred April 13-16 in Washington D.C. The competition consisted of a surveying “scavenger hunt,” where teams traveled across the city and visited monuments with historical surveying significance, as well as a technical competition.
Although Naberezny said he credits the club’s success solely with the students, Norman spoke highly of his leadership.
“He’s part of why we’re so successful, although he won’t admit it,” Norman said. “We have such a great mentor, and we want to give recognition to the people who have helped us along the way.”