An array of activities highlighted the recent observance of Clayton A. Wiley Engineering Week on the campus of Grambling State University.
It was celebrated on Feb. 17-21 was the 11th year of the event. Organizers called it one of the most successful, with a competition among local high schools, an awards banquet, and a community open house.
In an effort to teach high school students more about the field of engineering, a competition was held on Feb. 19. Winners of the contests were Grambling High in the Poster and Electrical Circuit contests; Ruston High in the Bridge Design & Construction Contest; and Arcadia High in the Mechanical Puzzle Contest.
Grambling High first-place winner Tiaron Ford, who “felt accomplished,” was among the students who thought the program was helpful and can inspire future engineers.
“If I wasn’t a senior, I’d do it again,” said Jae Hill of Grambling High.
The 11th Clayton A. Wiley Engineering Technology Honor/Awards was held in T.L James Hall with state Rep. Patrick O. Jefferson as guest speaker. Jefferson said it was important not only for engineering students, but non-engineering students. All students could benefit from the program.
“All students need to know their options,” Rep. Jefferson said.
Dr. Olusegun Adeyemi, head of the Engineering Technology Department, called Jefferson’s speech “inspiring.”
At the event, GSU alumnus Kerry J. Briggs was honored. After graduating with a degree in drafting and design technology in 1979, he started his business called Briggs Field Services. On Feb. 25, 2010, Briggs established a $100,000 endowed professorship in honor of the late Clayton A. Wiley and wife Viola E. Wiley.
Clayton A. Wiley, a native of Grambling, was one of the founders of the Department of Industrial Education and Technology at Grambling.
The Engineering Technology Department community open house event covered the contributions of the Title III program to the department, including their commissioned PLC and Cisco academy laboratories with a tour of the department.
“It is our hope that through the programs and the activities of this week, students gained a better appreciation for the importance and contributions of engineering to humanity,” Dr. Adeyemi said.