Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466
Troy, Mich.— April 4, 2024—Intellectual property law firm Fishman Stewart PLLC is pleased to announce that Margaret J. Van Antwerp—a civil and environmental engineering student at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan—was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for her winning essay as part of Fishman Stewart’s sponsorship of The Engineering Society of Detroit’s (ESD) annual Engineering Student Writing Contest. Partner Michael D. Fishman presented the distinction to Van Antwerp on March 20 at ESD’s Gold Award Reception & Recognition.
Among several topics offered by ESD, contest writers could choose one to address in their essays. Van Antwerp wrote on climate change by answering the question, “What do you envision engineering can do to assist with ‘engineering for net zero’ and how can you contribute to the solution?” In response, the promising engineer looked at tackling the transportation system in America by cleaning up current systems, expanding public transit networks and considering design alternatives that account for the long-term costs of climate change.
ESD’s annual writing contest is open to all engineering students who attend Michigan universities and are studying within any of the engineering and related disciplines. The top three essays are chosen by the editorial board of ESD’s TechCentury Magazine, and the first-place essayist is formally recognized and awarded the scholarship at the Gold Award Reception.
The runner-up honors went to: Marianna Ostentoski, a December 2023 graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Engineering, who answered the question, “What is the most important engineering feat of all time?” and Charles Tigert, an electrical engineering student at Lawrence Technological University, who responded to, “How do you feel AI can be used effectively in engineering and what are the downsides?”
Noting that the written word is often the subject of intellectual property protection, Fishman said the firm is a staunch believer that strong writing skills are critical to analyzing and sharing difficult engineering concepts.
“Fishman Stewart is honored to continue our sponsorship of the ESD Engineering Student Writing Contest, engaging student voices to write about issues facing the engineering profession,” Fishman said. “It’s exciting to see students’ perspectives through their writing, and we enthusiastically support their efforts.”
All three top essays can be found in the Spring 2024 edition of TechCentury, starting on page 27. The themes for the next contest will be announced later this summer with a fall deadline. For more information, visit https://www.esd.org/awards/writing/ or contact Susan Thwing at sthwing@esd.org.
About The Engineering Society of Detroit®
As one of the largest and oldest multi-disciplinary engineering societies in the nation, The Engineering Society of Detroit® (ESD) represents a multitude of industries and related technical fields throughout the Great Lakes Region. Uniting engineers, scientists, architects and other professionals, ESD promotes and celebrates excellence, innovation, cooperation, professional growth and fellowship. Visit esd.org to learn more.
About Fishman Stewart PLLC
Fishman Stewart helps turn client creativity into valuable intellectual capital. Since its founding in 1996, the firm has obtained tens of thousands of patents and trademark registrations and represented clients in hundreds of cases in Federal Court. As strategic advisers to CEOs and senior executives, Fishman Stewart attorneys develop IP management strategies for U.S. and foreign-based companies to safeguard their business assets throughout the world. To discover how Fishman Stewart leverages intellectual property to effectively increase enterprise value, visit fishstewip.com.
