Tensar International, a leading geosynthetic products innovator known for its unique geogrid solutions, announced two winners of it first annual Tensar Civil Engineering Scholarship competition program. The two students each won a $1000 scholarship for completing a specific construction design challenge: one challenge was in flexible pavement design and the other in mechanically stabilized earth wall design. The scholarships are one component of Tensar’s ongoing professional education efforts to share the expertise behind its geogrid technology and its 40+ year history working with the global civil engineering community.  

The winner of the flexible pavement design challenge is Joseph Renze. Joseph is a senior studying Civil Engineering at the University of North Dakota. He spent ten years as a trucker before returning to school to pursue an engineering career. He lives in Maplewood, MN with his wife and two children. 

The winner of the MSE wall design challenge is Greg Boccafola. Greg is a senior at Villanova University, majoring in Civil Engineering and minoring in Engineering Entrepreneurship.  He has worked in structural and environmental engineering and conducted research in geotechnical engineering.  

As part of this educational program, Tensar also offered free design software, course materials and other resources for engineering faculty as they educate the next generation of civil engineers in subject areas relevant to Tensar operations. Available online, these educational resources include presentations and class notes, in geosynthetics. Faculty can also download Tensar’s SpectraPave Design Software and TensarSoil Design Software packages to give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience designing unpaved roads, flexible pavement and MSE retaining walls and slopes. 

Tensar plans to do another scholarship competition in the fall of 2020.  Check out https://www.tensarcorp.com/ for more details.