Marshall University civil engineering student, professor win first prize at ASCE Virginias Conference

Marshall University junior Josh Brubaker, a civil engineering student secured first place in the “Hardy Cross” oral research presentation competition at the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) 2025 Virginias Conference on Saturday, March 29, in Beckley, West Virginia.

Brubaker presented his engineering research, “A Computational Investigation of a Non-Homogeneous Elastic Material Undergoing Wave Propagation,” alongside his mentor, Dr. Arka Chattopadhyay, an assistant professor of engineering.

The duo competed against research universities, including Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia and West Virginia University. The victory marks a historic achievement for Marshall University, as it is the first time the trophy has left the state of Virginia.

As part of the victory, Marshall’s Civil Engineering Department will hold the traveling trophy for the next year until the ASCE 2026 Virginias Conference.

For more information about Marshall University’s Civil Engineering program, visit https://www.marshall.edu/cecs/.