UMaine Engineering Group a Finalist in Newman’s Own Challenge

A volunteer project by the University of Maine student chapter of Engineers Without Borders — bringing a septic system and safer water to a small Honduran village — has been selected as one of the top three finalists in the 2012 Newman’s Own Foundation Campus Community Service Challenge.

The winning student project will receive a $25,000 cash award to help with the costs of the project; second place will result in a $15,000 award, and the third place award is $10,000. First- through third-place winners will be announced at the America East Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship at the University of Hartford March 1-4. The annual competition is among the nine members of the America East member universities. Every entry will receive a grant of at least $5,000. Engineers Without Borders will complete construction of a student-designed community septic system in the village of Dulce Vivir in the mountainous Copán region of Honduras over spring break. In 2010, the first year of the Newman’s Own competition, UMaine’s Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism’s Black Bear Mentor Program won third and a $10,000 prize. Last year, the UMaine Welcome Weekend Day of Service and Maine Hello move-in initiatives received honorable mention and $7,500.

Contact: Andrea Gifford, 581-4031