Stormwater-response projects signal students' time to shine

Four teams of students from Rob A. Wozniak’s Architectural Design Studio II (ACH261) class, one of which has officially entered its project in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s seventh annual Campus RainWorks competition, this week presented inventive and attractive proposals for green infrastructure to better manage stormwater.

All of the students are enrolled in architectural technology or building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration. Each group gave a 20-minute presentation of its project, followed by Q&A from an impromptu panel of judges.



Wozniak, an associate professor of architectural technology, was joined at the presentations by John M. Charnego, General Services’ environmental specialist (who long has encouraged student involvement in meeting the challenge of runoff diversion) and Carol A. Lugg, dean of construction and design technologies. Through a financial incentive to the winners, the EPA contest engages students to use soils, vegetation and other media to capture and manage the flow of stormwater.

The teams are:

Olivia Kleman, of Shamokin; Donny J. Reisch, of Lititz; and Thomas C. Roberts, of Waymart, whose baseball-themed project near the Lancaster and York residence halls included a butterfly garden, fountains, a gazebo and a selection of native plants.

Alisa Begic, of Watsontown; and David B. Fischetti and Kristina M. Holland, both of Mechanicsburg, whose proposal – for a rain garden to mitigate persistent ponding between the Victorian House and the Bush Campus Center – will be further critiqued, refined and submitted to the national competition in mid-December.

Gregory D. Babbert, of Flemington, New Jersey; Jordan A. Reeves, of Chester, Virginia; and Dylan T. Spanier, of Dillsburg, who designed a courtyard, cabanas and a walk-through garden near Campus View Apartments.

Cassandra J. Gower, of Lehighton; Keegan B. Mack, of Kingsley; Drew P. Miller, of Williamsport; and Kory M. Smith, of Pittston, who outlined collegewide benefit through a hydrodam, reservoir, nature trails and other improvements at the far-western end of campus.