Lincoln Memorial University’s School of Engineering continued to build national momentum with a standout performance at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Student Steel Bridge Competition National Finals, held May 22–23 in El Paso, Texas.
Leading the way for LMU was a third-place national finish in the Stiffness category, one of the competition’s most demanding structural benchmarks. The team’s result placed it among the top three programs out of 44 teams at nationals and 216 teams worldwide.
A five-student team of Holt Hensley, Parker Meldrum, Waylon Ball, Aubree Laney and Ahmed Aly represented LMU and ultimately finished 13th overall in just the program’s second year competing at the national level.
The competition tests teams across real-world engineering criteria, including aesthetics, construction speed and structural performance. LMU’s bridge excelled under load testing. During the vertical load test, the structure supported a total of 2,500 pounds, with 1,600 pounds applied near the midspan and 900 pounds on the cantilever. The bridge recorded just 0.38 inches of deflection under the full load.
That performance earned LMU third place in stiffness, narrowly trailing the first- and second-place teams, which each recorded 0.36 inches of deflection.
The team also delivered a major improvement in construction speed. During Saturday’s timed build, LMU assembled its bridge in 8 minutes and 40 seconds, with a single 15-second fastener drop penalty bringing the official time to 8 minutes and 55 seconds. That marks a significant improvement from the team’s regional time of 14 minutes and 32 seconds.
Judges also recognized the quality of LMU’s design. The team finished 11th in the Aesthetics category, with several judges praising the bridge’s simplicity and its resemblance to structures used in real-world applications.
“This team continues to show what LMU engineering students are capable of when you combine strong fundamentals with hands-on experience,” said Dr. Ryan Overton, dean of the School of Engineering. “They improved significantly from regionals, competed at a very high level, and delivered a design that performed when it mattered most. Results like this reflect our focus on preparing students to solve real engineering challenges.”
The AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition simulates real engineering constraints, requiring teams to balance efficiency, constructability, safety and performance. LMU’s results highlight the program’s emphasis on hands-on training and clear pathways into high-demand engineering careers.
In its first two years competing, LMU has earned an invitation to the national finals each year. The repeat appearances and strong results signal the continued growth of the university’s engineering program and its ability to compete with leading programs across the country.
With another national competition complete, LMU engineering students continue to build on that momentum, gaining the experience and skills needed to enter the workforce ready to make an immediate impact.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The university’s main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about undergraduate and graduate programs, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email admissions@lmunet.edu.
