Engineers dress up, tap dance

Engineering Student Council’s “Mr. Benedum” competition put to rest antiquated standards of… Engineering Student Council’s “Mr. Benedum” competition put to rest antiquated standards of masculinity, instead embracing tap dancing and Celine Dion.

Contestant Erik Roth placed third after tap dancing in the talent competition, and Patrick Minnaugh, whom judges crowned Mr. Benedum, performed a protracted falsetto version of “My Heart Will Go On,” Dion’s hit song from the movie “Titanic.”

Meanwhile, contestant Matt Deltondo, who chugged a half-gallon of milk through a beer bong just didn’t have what it took, despite having shaved his legs. Joseph Bienkowski engaged in actual swordplay, donning fencing gear and dueling an opponent, but also came up short. Adam Shash placed second in the competition.

James Wiltz, director of activities for ESC, claimed his special talent was “picking up chicks.” His act included serenading the hostess, Desiree Bonadonna, with the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” Wiltz also failed to crack the top three.

All 12 contestants also competed in a question and answer session as well as eveningwear and swimsuit competitions.

Nick Burdette, president of ESC, hosted the event alongside Bonadonna, who is the chairperson for E-Week activities at Pitt. The contest took place in Benedum Auditorium on Friday night, in front of an audience of about 200 people.

Bonadonna said throughout E-Week, she and her colleagues hoped to “promote engineering in the community and among students.” This year’s agenda includes a visit to Frick Middle School, with aims to educate eighth graders about engineering.

All the money raised at the event will go toward funding E-Week.