Howard Civil Engineering Students Bring the Wilson Cup Back to the Mecca
The Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) is celebrating a major victory after a team of civil engineering students claimed first place at the 2026 American Concrete Institute (ACI) Maryland Chapter Concrete Competition, earning the coveted Wilson Cup and bringing the championship trophy back to Howard University.
The winning team—comprised of Jamier Harris, Jaydn Decuir, Abdulsalam Kalonji, and Omar Berthe—demonstrated their technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and collaborative spirit during the highly competitive event. Tasked with designing and testing a concrete mixture to achieve a specified target strength, the students developed an innovative mix design using a three-point curve method, a process that required precision, analysis, and extensive hands-on testing.
Competing against teams from universities across the region, the CEA students rose to the challenge, applying classroom knowledge in a real-world engineering environment. Their success highlights the rigorous academic preparation and experiential learning opportunities that define the programs across the CEA.
The ACI Maryland Chapter Concrete Competition challenges students to develop concrete mixtures that meet strict performance requirements while balancing technical considerations such as material properties, durability, and strength. Participants must rely on both analytical modeling and laboratory testing to refine their designs and achieve the desired results.
For Howard's team, the victory was the culmination of weeks of preparation, collaboration, and experimentation. Throughout the process, the students conducted multiple rounds of testing and analysis, learning firsthand how civil engineers translate theory into tangible solutions that support communities and infrastructure.
The win also underscores the CEA's commitment to providing students with opportunities to engage in experiential learning, professional development, and industry-connected experiences that prepare them for successful careers in engineering.
As the Wilson Cup returns to the Mecca, the accomplishment serves as both a point of pride for the Howard community and an example of how student talent, mentorship, and perseverance continue to elevate the CEA on regional and national stages.
The Howard team’s triumph at the 2026 ACI Maryland Chapter Concrete Competition is yet another reminder that CEA students are not only learning to engineer the future—they are already building it.