KU News Release

KU engineering students help with rebuilding New Orleans

LAWRENCE — Seven students from the University of Kansas chapter of Engineers Without Borders will spend spring break in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward. The group will work with the Historic Green organization to rebuild the area in a way that preserves its history while creating a sustainable future.

“We saw a flier for the event, and it seemed like a perfect thing for our members,” said Jodi Gentry, a doctoral student in environmental engineering from Lawrence and president of the chapter. “We have a lot of architectural engineers, so they will have a lot to bring to the project.”

The KU group, which includes five architectural engineers, one chemical engineers and a chemistry major, is paying its own way with the exception of a small grant from KU’s Engineering Student Council to assist with expenses.

As one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the Holy Cross Historic District of the Lower Ninth Ward became submerged in 10 feet of water for three weeks because of a levee break caused by the storm. Nearly 6,000 residents were displaced, and numerous schools, churches and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged.

During the Historic Green event, hundreds of students and young professionals in the construction industry will bring their energy and ideas to help the people of the Lower Ninth revitalize their community. Architects, engineers, planners, landscape architects, interior designers and contractors will work hand-in-hand with neighborhood residents on their historic houses, parks, playgrounds and community centers.

“We’re leading a unique grassroots effort to go the next step to rebuild this historic landmark — this time green,” said Pam Dashiell, director of the Lower Ninth Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development in New Orleans.

The trip to New Orleans also will help the KU students build skills they can use on other Engineers Without Borders projects, such as the group’s major ongoing project in Bolivia.

“We want to send our members (to New Orleans) for their team building,” Gentry said. “It’s a good way to get a lot of field training without having to make the more expensive trip to Bolivia. We try to work with many projects with a variety of groups.

“The students work with simple technologies, so it’s a way to grasp the classroom-based concepts and apply them to a real-world problem. You can go from this and do internships, but being able to work on all phases of the project really provides a fulfilling experiences for the students.”

For information about KU’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders, visit www.ewb-ku.org. For more information about the activities in New Orleans, visit www.historicgreen.org.

Student members of KU’s Engineers Without Borders chapter planning to work in New Orleans are listed below by hometown, level in school, major(s), parents’ names and high schools.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66049
Margaret Nyambura Gathunguri, freshman in chemical engineering, daughter of Gilbert Karuga and Faith Gathunguri; Lawrence Free State High School.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66209
Erin Diel, sophomore in chemical engineering, daughter of Ellen Beedle and Bruce Diel; Blue Valley North High School.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66617
James “Edward” Iliff, freshman in architectural engineering, son of Cindy Meyer and Douglas Iliff; Cair Paravel-Latin School.

ILLINOIS
From McHenry 60050
Jacob William Pohlman, senior in architectural engineering, son of James and Judy Pohlman; McHenry Community High School West.

MICHIGAN
From Dexter 48130
Connor Donevan, senior in architecture and architectural engineering, son of Sean and Ann Donevan; Dexter High School.

MISSOURI
From Rolla 65401
Mary “Dorothy” Adams, sophomore in architectural engineering, daughter of Craig and Susan Adams; Rolla High School.

From Wildwood 63011
James P. Bornholdt, senior in architecture and architectural engineering, son of Jim and Lisa Bornholdt; Lafayette High School.

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