(BEAVER FALLS, Pa.) – The caliber of Geneva College’s engineering program was on display last month at Solar Splash, the World Championship of intercollegiate solar/electric boating. A group of Geneva College engineering students travelled to Springfield, Ohio to put their skills to the test, finishing sixth place overall in the competition, which included schools from all over the United States.

Teams accumulate points in three main events: a 300-meter sprint race, a 2-hour endurance race and a slalom race. There are also points available for qualifying races, visual presentations, technical reports and workmanship.

Geneva placed seventh in the endurance race and eighth in the slalom race. Their best event was the sprint race where they had the third fastest boat; however, the championship race for this event was held on Sunday, and they forfeited by not competing in order to honor the Lord’s Day.

“I make it very clear coming in that this is where we stand; we will honor the Lord’s Day, even if that means forfeiting a trophy,” says Professor of Engineering Dr. David W. Shaw, the team’s faculty advisor. At Geneva, he explains, faith is of utmost importance in academics, competition and all facets of life.

Geneva’s student team members were Thomas (TJ) Acosta, Joey Biechy, Byron Childs, Jonathan Dawley and Aaron DeSantis. They built a boat that runs on captured solar energy converted into electricity.

Geneva’s team excelled in the other categories, taking first place for having an outstanding technical report, and they persisted through the adversity of serious problems with solar panels during the endurance race. “This was a team that worked really well together, overcame some obstacles and addressed the fundamentals,” says Shaw.

Geneva’s engineering program has consistently been recognized as a top-100 engineering school in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and it is through rigorous projects and competitions that students are able to use the skills learned in the Geneva College program.

Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 40 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and classroom options, and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report ranks Geneva as a Top Three Best Value Regional University with one of the Top 100 engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God’s Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today’s world.