The Tennessean recognized the advocates, survivors, lawmakers and law enforcement officials who worked to make the Natchez Trace Bridge safer as its People of the Year of 2019.

Included among this group are UT students Nancy Abdo, Joseph Allston, Connor Campbell, Meet Patel, Payne Susong and Jay Thota who worked on a senior design project to design new safety rails under the guidance of Jenny Retherford, senior lecturer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

“(Trish Merelo) sent a message. It came to my department head,” Retherford told the Tennessean. “Immediately, we said this is an excellent fit to the type of work we do in the senior project.”

Read about the project, the advocates, and the award on the Tennessean’s website.