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COLLEGE of ENGINEERING
2020
During the 2019-2020 academic year, the team designed the bridge in partnership with Penn State University. While the bridge was constructed in the proposed location, due to travel restrictions emerging form the COVID-19 pandemic, the team was unable to oversee the contruction on site. The bridge spans 48 meters and now serves 1,500 members of the Lubanjiswano community in Eswatini.
Location
Lubanjiswano, Eswatini
Community Members Served
1500
Bridge Span Length
48 m
Meet the Team
Madelyn Marquardt
Role: Project Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems
Hometown: Garnet Valley, PA
Class: 2020
Madelyn Marquardt is a senior Civil Engineering major with a minor in the Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems, acting as the Project Manager for the 2019-2020 NDSEED Team. Her journey with NDSEED began last year on the Mallkuchusi Phase II build as a non-traveling VCA, organizing the Bridge Corps for this past summer along with other outreach logistics. Maddie has spent the past summers studying abroad in Rome, Italy and interning with three different engineering firms in Philadelphia. Her internships have been in bridge and highway design departments, along with some MEP work. On campus, she is also involved in the Notre Dame Dance Company, serves as a Co-President for Transpose [dance collective], and has participated multiple times in the Appalachia Seminar doing home repair in West Virginia. Maddie is excited to participate in all aspects of such a complex project this year, to travel and work with a new community in Bolivia, and to grow a bond with her new team.
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems
Hometown: Garnet Valley, PA
Class: 2020
Madelyn Marquardt is a senior Civil Engineering major with a minor in the Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems, acting as the Project Manager for the 2019-2020 NDSEED Team. Her journey with NDSEED began last year on the Mallkuchusi Phase II build as a non-traveling VCA, organizing the Bridge Corps for this past summer along with other outreach logistics. Maddie has spent the past summers studying abroad in Rome, Italy and interning with three different engineering firms in Philadelphia. Her internships have been in bridge and highway design departments, along with some MEP work. On campus, she is also involved in the Notre Dame Dance Company, serves as a Co-President for Transpose [dance collective], and has participated multiple times in the Appalachia Seminar doing home repair in West Virginia. Maddie is excited to participate in all aspects of such a complex project this year, to travel and work with a new community in Bolivia, and to grow a bond with her new team.
Christian Dennis
Role: Bridge Designer
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Mishawaka, IN
Class: 2020
Christian Dennis is a senior Civil Engineering major from Mishawaka, IN. He will be acting as Bridge designer in this coming year for NDSEED. Christian has interned with Clark Construction and Bowman Creek Educational Ecosystem. He also studied in Ireland during one summer session. Christian is an RA in Baumer Hall(, and he is Leo’s RA). On Sunday morning, you will find Christian singing with the Liturgical Choir at the 10AM Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Christian is also the president of Chi Epsilon, a civil engineering honor’s society. He doesn’t have free time, but if he did, he would be enjoying a good book, movie, or walk outside. Christian is humbled to be a part of such a great team, and he hopes to learn as much as he can through this experience with NDSEED.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Mishawaka, IN
Class: 2020
Christian Dennis is a senior Civil Engineering major from Mishawaka, IN. He will be acting as Bridge designer in this coming year for NDSEED. Christian has interned with Clark Construction and Bowman Creek Educational Ecosystem. He also studied in Ireland during one summer session. Christian is an RA in Baumer Hall(, and he is Leo’s RA). On Sunday morning, you will find Christian singing with the Liturgical Choir at the 10AM Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Christian is also the president of Chi Epsilon, a civil engineering honor’s society. He doesn’t have free time, but if he did, he would be enjoying a good book, movie, or walk outside. Christian is humbled to be a part of such a great team, and he hopes to learn as much as he can through this experience with NDSEED.
Leonardo Falquez
Role: Safety Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Class: 2021
Leonardo Falquez is a junior civil engineering major, serving as the safety manager for the 2019-2020 NDSEED team. He started his work with NDSEED last year on the Mallkuchusi Phase II, helping as a non-traveling VCA and assistant to the business manager of the organization. Leonardo spent his past summer working at a construction company in Ecuador for 7 weeks. He has also worked for Ecuadorian NGOs, helping with the construction of homes for families that were affected by the 2016 earthquake. Leonardo is looking forward to achieving the goal of building a bridge in Bolivia. He knows that the work he does in NDSEED will really have an impact on people's lives.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Class: 2021
Leonardo Falquez is a junior civil engineering major, serving as the safety manager for the 2019-2020 NDSEED team. He started his work with NDSEED last year on the Mallkuchusi Phase II, helping as a non-traveling VCA and assistant to the business manager of the organization. Leonardo spent his past summer working at a construction company in Ecuador for 7 weeks. He has also worked for Ecuadorian NGOs, helping with the construction of homes for families that were affected by the 2016 earthquake. Leonardo is looking forward to achieving the goal of building a bridge in Bolivia. He knows that the work he does in NDSEED will really have an impact on people's lives.
Daniel Petracek
Role: Business Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Engineering Corporate Practice
Hometown: Olathe, KS
Class: 2020
Daniel Petracek is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. He is serving as this year’s Business Manager, utilizing his relevant coursework and his interest in business to manage the NDSEED budget and execute fundraisers that will make the team’s build a reality. Daniel decided to pursue a degree in civil engineering because he felt it would give him the best opportunity to provide sound infrastructure to communities that most need it. He spent his past summer as an intern with general contractor MW Builders in his hometown of Kansas City. In previous summers, he has interned for Bowman Creek Educational Ecosystem in South Bend (with Christian) and participated in the Engineering Summer Study Abroad Program in London. On campus, Daniel is an RA in O’Neill Family Hall, serves as Sr. Director of Community Outreach for the Engineering Leadership Council, and is a part of the RCIA team in Campus Ministry. He looks forward to building friendships with Bolivian community members and having an international development experience that will prepare him for potential Peace Corps service.
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Engineering Corporate Practice
Hometown: Olathe, KS
Class: 2020
Daniel Petracek is a senior studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Engineering Corporate Practice. He is serving as this year’s Business Manager, utilizing his relevant coursework and his interest in business to manage the NDSEED budget and execute fundraisers that will make the team’s build a reality. Daniel decided to pursue a degree in civil engineering because he felt it would give him the best opportunity to provide sound infrastructure to communities that most need it. He spent his past summer as an intern with general contractor MW Builders in his hometown of Kansas City. In previous summers, he has interned for Bowman Creek Educational Ecosystem in South Bend (with Christian) and participated in the Engineering Summer Study Abroad Program in London. On campus, Daniel is an RA in O’Neill Family Hall, serves as Sr. Director of Community Outreach for the Engineering Leadership Council, and is a part of the RCIA team in Campus Ministry. He looks forward to building friendships with Bolivian community members and having an international development experience that will prepare him for potential Peace Corps service.
Will Tjaden
Role: Construction Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Class: 2021
Will Tjaden is a junior Civil Engineering major serving as the Construction Manager for the 2019-2020 NDSEED Team. He was a Volunteer Course Assistant on the previous year’s team where he spent most of the year updating the publicity, including on-campus posters and the website. He also shadowed the Construction Manager which led him to pursue the job for this year's bridge. Will has always had an aptitude for building things: starting from legos as a child to balsa wood bridge builds in highschool to ultimately having construction-related internships with Kiewit Corporation. In addition to his love for building things, Will also has an aptitude for helping people. This desire to help people is what ultimately led him to NDSEED where he felt it was the perfect opportunity for him to combine his God-given talents and with that same desire to help people to help make the world a better place one-foot bridge at a time.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Class: 2021
Will Tjaden is a junior Civil Engineering major serving as the Construction Manager for the 2019-2020 NDSEED Team. He was a Volunteer Course Assistant on the previous year’s team where he spent most of the year updating the publicity, including on-campus posters and the website. He also shadowed the Construction Manager which led him to pursue the job for this year's bridge. Will has always had an aptitude for building things: starting from legos as a child to balsa wood bridge builds in highschool to ultimately having construction-related internships with Kiewit Corporation. In addition to his love for building things, Will also has an aptitude for helping people. This desire to help people is what ultimately led him to NDSEED where he felt it was the perfect opportunity for him to combine his God-given talents and with that same desire to help people to help make the world a better place one-foot bridge at a time.
Alexandra Guevara-Stevens
Role: Community Relations Manager
Major: Civil Engineering (ND), Computing and Applied Mathematics (SMC)
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Class: 2022
Alexandra Guevara-Stevens is a student from San Antonio, TX in the Saint Mary’s College 4+1 engineering program with Notre Dame. A civil engineering major at ND with computing and applied mathematics at SMC, she will be acting as the community relations manager on this year’s NDSEED team. In the last two summers, Alexandra worked for Life Teen camp Wild Sky in Medina, Texas. On-campus she is involved with the Notre Dame Folk Choir, one of the main choirs for the Basilica, with which she had the opportunity to travel to East Africa, in June. She also holds leadership roles in campus ministry at Saint Mary’s and co-founded, “Fiat”, a faith and spirituality group for female students. When she has free time, she enjoys photography, going on bike rides, and water coloring, a newly found passion of hers. Alexandra is eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve on the team and is ecstatic to gain this experience.
Major: Civil Engineering (ND), Computing and Applied Mathematics (SMC)
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Class: 2022
Alexandra Guevara-Stevens is a student from San Antonio, TX in the Saint Mary’s College 4+1 engineering program with Notre Dame. A civil engineering major at ND with computing and applied mathematics at SMC, she will be acting as the community relations manager on this year’s NDSEED team. In the last two summers, Alexandra worked for Life Teen camp Wild Sky in Medina, Texas. On-campus she is involved with the Notre Dame Folk Choir, one of the main choirs for the Basilica, with which she had the opportunity to travel to East Africa, in June. She also holds leadership roles in campus ministry at Saint Mary’s and co-founded, “Fiat”, a faith and spirituality group for female students. When she has free time, she enjoys photography, going on bike rides, and water coloring, a newly found passion of hers. Alexandra is eternally grateful for the opportunity to serve on the team and is ecstatic to gain this experience.
Catherine Garrett
Role: Media and Research Manager
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA
Class: 2022
Catherine Garrett is a sophomore civil engineering major and she is acting as this year’s research and media manager. She is a first year NDSEED member, and very excited to be involved with the group. Catherine is interested in civil engineering and being part of the NDSEED team because she aspires to improve infrastructure and help communities. She is excited about the idea of innovative design and construction methods. She enjoys playing the piano, spending time outdoors, dancing, running, and spending time with friends. On campus, she especially enjoys doing zumba. Catherine has experience working toward conservation efforts with non-profit organizations at home in Newport Beach, CA. She is very excited to be a part of the NDSEED team and to have this opportunity.
Natalie Rivas
Role: Quality Control Engineer
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: Carson, CA
Class: 2020
Natalie Rivas is the Quality Control Engineer for the 2019-2020 NDSEED team. She is a senior Environmental Engineering major that was part of last year’s NDSEED team, serving as a non-traveling VCA that was involved in the media and research aspects of the Mallkuchusi Phase II build after a semester abroad in Santiago, Chile. Natalie also went abroad for a summer in Alcoy, Spain and worked with the Society of Women Engineers Technical Team to create a solar-powered network hub, which allowed her to gain both international and local exposure on considerations that need to be taken into account to resolve a problem and successfully implementing these plans. All of these experiences have inspired Natalie to use her technical skills and give back for all the opportunities she’s been blessed with. She is also excited to be able to integrate her native tongue of Spanish with her engineering skills in an impactful manner.
Major: Environmental Engineering
Hometown: Carson, CA
Class: 2020
Natalie Rivas is the Quality Control Engineer for the 2019-2020 NDSEED team. She is a senior Environmental Engineering major that was part of last year’s NDSEED team, serving as a non-traveling VCA that was involved in the media and research aspects of the Mallkuchusi Phase II build after a semester abroad in Santiago, Chile. Natalie also went abroad for a summer in Alcoy, Spain and worked with the Society of Women Engineers Technical Team to create a solar-powered network hub, which allowed her to gain both international and local exposure on considerations that need to be taken into account to resolve a problem and successfully implementing these plans. All of these experiences have inspired Natalie to use her technical skills and give back for all the opportunities she’s been blessed with. She is also excited to be able to integrate her native tongue of Spanish with her engineering skills in an impactful manner.
Grace Brach
Role: Volunteer Course Assistant
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Class: 2021
Grace Brach is a junior Civil Engineering major serving as a Volunteer Course Assistant for the 2019-2020 NDSEED Team. She has always had an interest in international development, and is looking forward to gaining experience in this area through NDSEED. In the past, Grace has studied abroad in London, England and has interned at a civil and environmental engineering consulting firm where her work focused on infrastructure development and waste water treatment. On campus she is involved in Student Government as Vice President of Howard Hall, has worked on multiple Student International Business Council projects, and has participated in several Appalachia Seminars. She is excited to grow as a team with her fellow NDSEED members and work towards the ultimate goal of building a safe and successful footbridge in Bolivia.
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Class: 2021
Grace Brach is a junior Civil Engineering major serving as a Volunteer Course Assistant for the 2019-2020 NDSEED Team. She has always had an interest in international development, and is looking forward to gaining experience in this area through NDSEED. In the past, Grace has studied abroad in London, England and has interned at a civil and environmental engineering consulting firm where her work focused on infrastructure development and waste water treatment. On campus she is involved in Student Government as Vice President of Howard Hall, has worked on multiple Student International Business Council projects, and has participated in several Appalachia Seminars. She is excited to grow as a team with her fellow NDSEED members and work towards the ultimate goal of building a safe and successful footbridge in Bolivia.
Keegan Siebenaler
Role: Volunteer Course Assistant
Major: Environmental Engineering
Class: 2022
Hometown: Kalispell, Montana
Keegan Siebenaler serves the 2019-2020 NDSEED team as a volunteer course assistant. Through his adventures in the mountains of Northwest Montana, Keegan has gained an appreciation for both environmental sustainability and the importance of critical infrastructure in challenging geological conditions. Throughout high school, Keegan was involved with the Whitefish Lake Institute examining the impact of human activity on a watershed. During the summer of 2019, Keegan traveled to rural Nepal for a conservation internship. This area, not accessible by cars and primarily relying on suspension footbridges, closely resembled the sites that NDSEED is tasked with improving. Keegan is excited to develop close relationships with the host community and measurably improve their quality of life.
Major: Environmental Engineering
Class: 2022
Hometown: Kalispell, Montana
Keegan Siebenaler serves the 2019-2020 NDSEED team as a volunteer course assistant. Through his adventures in the mountains of Northwest Montana, Keegan has gained an appreciation for both environmental sustainability and the importance of critical infrastructure in challenging geological conditions. Throughout high school, Keegan was involved with the Whitefish Lake Institute examining the impact of human activity on a watershed. During the summer of 2019, Keegan traveled to rural Nepal for a conservation internship. This area, not accessible by cars and primarily relying on suspension footbridges, closely resembled the sites that NDSEED is tasked with improving. Keegan is excited to develop close relationships with the host community and measurably improve their quality of life.
Kyle Copley
Role: Volunteer Course Assistant
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems
Hometown: San Juan Capistrano, California
Class: 2022
Kyle is a sophomore Civil Engineering major with a minor in the Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems, acting as a Volunteer Course Assistant for the 2019-2020 NDSEED Team. As a new and non-traveling member, he is looking forward to strengthening his technical, organizational and communication skills to hopefully travel with the team in the future. In high school, Kyle built new handball courts for his local elementary school for his Eagle Project. It was this project that first taught Kyle how much joy a construction project can bring to a community. During his freshman year, Kyle was involved with Engineers Without Borders on campus where he research efficient water treatment solutions that will be implemented at a school in Ecuador and developed a passion for international development. Now, he cannot wait to apply his engineering experience to NDSEED. Already, Kyle is learning about how much work and dedication goes into a project as large as designing and implementing a bridge. This year, he looks forward to assisting the team in logistics, and learning a lot along the way.
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems
Hometown: San Juan Capistrano, California
Class: 2022
Kyle is a sophomore Civil Engineering major with a minor in the Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems, acting as a Volunteer Course Assistant for the 2019-2020 NDSEED Team. As a new and non-traveling member, he is looking forward to strengthening his technical, organizational and communication skills to hopefully travel with the team in the future. In high school, Kyle built new handball courts for his local elementary school for his Eagle Project. It was this project that first taught Kyle how much joy a construction project can bring to a community. During his freshman year, Kyle was involved with Engineers Without Borders on campus where he research efficient water treatment solutions that will be implemented at a school in Ecuador and developed a passion for international development. Now, he cannot wait to apply his engineering experience to NDSEED. Already, Kyle is learning about how much work and dedication goes into a project as large as designing and implementing a bridge. This year, he looks forward to assisting the team in logistics, and learning a lot along the way.
Brett Greiner
Role: VCA
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Class: 2022
Brett Greiner is a Sophomore Mechanical Engineering major and a first year NDSEED member working as a Volunteer Course Assistant for the 2019-2020 team. Throughout high school Brett participated in weeklong service retreats, which instilled a driving desire to help others through his work. As the only Mechanical Engineer on the team, he hopes to bring a unique perspective and skillset to challenges that they will inevitably face. In the position of VCA, Brett will specifically be helping with the technical components of their work. He is looking forward to not only helping provide a town with a safe bride, but also making meaningful relationships with the people of the community and learning about their culture and the individuals that live there.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Class: 2022
Brett Greiner is a Sophomore Mechanical Engineering major and a first year NDSEED member working as a Volunteer Course Assistant for the 2019-2020 team. Throughout high school Brett participated in weeklong service retreats, which instilled a driving desire to help others through his work. As the only Mechanical Engineer on the team, he hopes to bring a unique perspective and skillset to challenges that they will inevitably face. In the position of VCA, Brett will specifically be helping with the technical components of their work. He is looking forward to not only helping provide a town with a safe bride, but also making meaningful relationships with the people of the community and learning about their culture and the individuals that live there.
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