On Saturday, Nov. 16, Engineers Without Borders (EWB) hosted their annual gala in Armstrong’s Fritz Pavilion, where they showcased their hard work to family, friends and Miami faculty.

A silent auction was set up in the back of the room, where bids could be placed and all proceeds went directly to helping make the organization’s efforts possible.

While attendees dined on a three-course dinner, members gave presentations on their ongoing development projects in both Uganda and Rwanda, as well as a local farm in Oxford.

Internationally, the students focus on bringing clean water and better sanitation systems to communities.

While other organizations often insert themselves into a community and try to “fix” them, EWB works with their partner communities to ensure they understand their needs. From there, they develop a plan on how to best meet those needs together.

Big plans require great effort, and the students in EWB are dedicated to the work they do.

“EWB represents everything I think engineering should be about,” said Nicholas Nocevski, project manager for the Rwanda program’s sanitation project. “None of this gets done if nobody’s passionate about it.”

The evening’s keynote speakers, Dr. Dallas Auvil and Mrs. Melissa Auvil, were founders of Hope for Kabingo, a non-profit organization that is also working to improve conditions in the developing Ugandan area.

The night concluded with the announcement of the auction winners, and then recognition of the mentors for EWB.

For more information on EWB, you can visit their website.

By Jenna Calderón, CEC Reporter