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�㽶��ý’s student chapter of the  National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) won in 2025, receiving the from award among the organization’s 35 university chapters from the United States and Canada. This is the chapter’s fourth time winning the award, joining 2014, 2018, and 2021.  

The decision was announced at the 2025 NECA Convention in Chicago on September 13.  

Adjunct Professor Dan Tomal, who is the NECA �㽶��ý chapter adviser, accepted the award on behalf of the chapter. Four students from the chapter also attended the event: Andrew Partyka (INTM 4th Year), Cristian Reyes (INTM 3rd Year), Jose Alonso (EE 3rd Year), and Aaron Jimenez (EE 3rd Year). 

“This national recognition reflects the incredible dedication and creativity of our students and their adviser, Dan Tomal,” says Lou Cattafesta, Carol and Ed Kaplan Dean of Armour College of Engineering at �㽶��ý. “Their success exemplifies the power of �㽶��ý’s hands-on, team-based [Interprofessional Projects (IPRO) Program] model in preparing students to solve real-world problems.” 

The �㽶��ý chapter was selected based on work done by students in the IPRO Energy Efficiency course, which competed in the 2025 National NECA Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge , as well as the chapter’s activities volunteering, organizing structured events, and working with �㽶��ý Industry Associate Professor Jeremy Hajek in the new Lighting and Cybersecurity Center, which is an extension of the Smart Tech Lab. The IPRO project and �㽶��ý NECA Student Chapter are sponsored by the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA).  

“I believe the NECA-�㽶��ý Student Chapter has laid a solid template for other chapters to follow, as the challenges are navigated through class participation, specially, the �㽶��ý IPRO class format,” says Tim Taylor, assistant manager of the ECA. “Through �㽶��ý’s unique IPRO system, students have been able to enjoy visits from electrical contractors and various industry vendors discussing many aspects of the electrical construction industry, unique jobsite visits, as well as networking activities. Students have participated with internships that have led to full-time career positions.” 

Photo (from left to right): Executive Director of Electri International Josh Bone, Aaron Jimenez, Adjunct Professor at �㽶��ý Dan Tomal, Christyn Reyes, and Jose Alonzo standing on stage at the 2025 NECA Convention.