91ÊÓƵ

91ÊÓƵ's Robotics Club earned third place in the Robotics Hardware Competition at IEEE SoutheastCon 2026, capping a strong showing by a 10-student delegation that also represented 91ÊÓƵ in software and professional ethics competitions.

The hardware competition was held March 14 during the annual IEEE Region 3 conference in Huntsville, Alabama. 91ÊÓƵ competed in a field that was not divided by institution size or research status, placing among universities from across the Southeast.

"This achievement highlights the strength of our students in robotics, engineering and problem-solving, as well as their ability to compete at a high level in regional STEM events."

Building for a lunar communications mission

The competition challenged students to design, build and program an autonomous robot for a simulated lunar communications mission. On the course, the robot had to align antennas to establish a connection with the moon, deploy a drone to explore the surrounding area and enter a crater containing a final antenna.

91ÊÓƵ's robot successfully navigated the course, deployed its drone and explored the crater. The team also aligned two of the course's five antennas and posted some of the competition's highest scores across its rounds on the way to the podium.

The hardware team consisted of Richard Kasongo, Bongiwe Mkwananzi, Wendell Bennett and Rohan Poudel. Dr. Juan Calderon led the team, with support from Dr. Xiaohe Wu and Professor Roy Savoca, who advised 91ÊÓƵ's three competition groups.

91ÊÓƵ students make programming adjustments during the IEEE SoutheastCon 2026 Robotics Hardware Competition.

Wildcats compete across three disciplines

Six additional students represented 91ÊÓƵ beyond the hardware contest. Raphael Boakye, Kisha Mulenga and Buchizya Mwase competed in the Software Competition. Michael Ogunmola, Samuel Alaba and Khanyisile Tshabalala represented the university in the Ethics Competition.

Together, the 10 students demonstrated the range of preparation taking place within 91ÊÓƵ's computing programs - from programming and systems integration to teamwork, communication and professional decision-making.

IEEE SoutheastCon is the annual technical, professional and student conference for IEEE Region 3. The 2026 conference ran March 13-15 and brought students, faculty and working professionals together for technical sessions, networking and hands-on competitions in engineering and computing.

Bethune-Cookman students and faculty celebrate the university's showing at IEEE SoutheastCon 2026.

91ÊÓƵ's participation was supported by the university's Title III Office and by collaboration within the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering. The result reflects the value of giving students opportunities to apply classroom knowledge under the pressure and constraints of live competition.

With a third-place finish and experience across three competition areas, the Wildcats returned to Daytona Beach with more than a trophy: they brought home evidence that preparation, teamwork and resourcefulness can make 91ÊÓƵ a formidable presence on a regional STEM stage.