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SMAC makes it possible

During the recent meeting, Student Monies Allocation Committee gave more than $16,000 to aid student organizations. “Our meeting was very efficient and helpful to the clubs around Tech,” SMAC Chairman Chaz Hayes said. “This committee helps students be able to attend extracurricular activities that might not be possible without our help.”

SMAC allocated $5,696.56 to the American Society of Civil Engineers to attend the Southeast Student Conference. The conference consisted of 13 separate competitions and they placed 4th overall.

“This conference allows other schools and professionals to recognize Tech as hard working school and the conference highlights the integrity and perseverance of Tech’s students,” ACSE Project Chairperson Bethany Smith said. “This funding will allow us to reach our goal of improving in all aspects of the conference and further prove that Tech is a well respected institution.”

The NASA Moonbuggy team was awarded $3,121.80 toward the completion of the buggy and to attend the 16th Annual NASA Great Moonbuggy Race. The team brought three awards back to tech: Best design, Most Unique and 1st Class Safety.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers was allocated $3,120.87 to attend the ASME Student Professional Developmental Conference. Students represented Tech as they competed in competitions such as the student design competition, old guard oral, old guard poster and old guard technical. Hunter McClellan, a senior mechanical engineering major, won first place with the “Best Technical Content” award and a $1,000 prize. He also won a $300 prize in the Middle Tennessee American Society of Mechanical Engineers Old Guard pre-competition.

“Tech has a winning tradition at the annual SPDC student competitions,” ASME President Austin Capps said. “We have brought home a 1st place trophy for the last two years and expect to do so again this year. Tech gained prestige among the engineering community through continued excellence with a strong showing at this year’s conference.”

The sociology club was allocated $1,585.87 to attend the Southern Sociology Conference. While at the conference the club presented student research and participated in Habitat for Humanity.

“Most students at Tech do not have the opportunities to travel beyond Tennessee and present research,” Sociology Club President Amy Green said. “This not only opened the minds of students able to attend and allowed them to encounter new experiences, but they also were able to network and create opportunities, such as job offers and graduate school offers.”

The Environmental Conservation Club was allocated $3,119.82 to attend the National Collegiate Soil Judging Contest held in Springfield, MO. They placed in the top 20 teams.

SMAC has one more meeting for the semester. This meeting will be at 11 a.m. on April 28, 2009 in the Student Affairs Conference Room (RUC 224). For more information see http://www.tntech.edu/studentaffairs/smac.html .

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