A team of surveying and mapping students from The University of Akron won second place this month in the National Society of Professional Surveyors’ annual competition.
Steven Cappelli of Uniontown, Zachary Hayes of McDonald, Pa., Joshua Matejin of Copley Township and Walter Young of Hartville finished behind the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez and ahead of Penn State University. The awards were presented April 13 in Crystal City, Va.
Preparing for the poster session are team members Steven Cappelli, left, Walter Young, Zach Hayes and Joshua Matejin.
The students’ project involved studying the elevation of a section of the UA campus south of East Exchange Street in February using satellite signal receivers and a robotic instrument that transmits measurement data by radio. Aerial survey data collected independently by Kucera International Inc. of Willoughby validated the students’ measurements.
UA’s bachelor of science in surveying and mapping is the only program of its kind in Ohio and one of just 22 accredited nationally. Graduates, about 12 to 15 each year, readily find jobs around the country with state and county agencies and consulting firms, said Gary Shuller, professor of surveying and mapping engineering technology, who served as the team’s adviser.
This was the 11th time a UA team has entered the national competition since it began in 2002. Those 11 entries have produced five first places and five second places.
Other UA surveying and mapping students who provided support to the team were Jon Anderson of Salem and three who are part of the Brazilian Scientific Mobility Program: Luiz Receputi, Felipe Lafiete and Lara Lopes.
Media contact: Roger Mezger, 330-972-6482 or 330-730-4215, or rmezger@uakron.edu.