As we draw a close to this year’s 25th anniversary celebration of the naming of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, we have much to be proud of as we look toward the next 25 years.
In this issue, you’ll read about the many accomplishments of our students, faculty, staff and alumni, including the work of our students in the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, its affiliated Southeast Region Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (SERC3) and the Alabama Cybersecurity Intelligence Center (ACIC).
In February, the university unveiled a display featuring the Medal of Honor of one of our most distinguished alumni — Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston. The display features items and photos honoring Auburn’s history with the U.S. military, including Livingston’s medal, the only one of its kind among Auburn graduates.
Also in February, the Auburn University Board of Trustees approved a project that will create an Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory underneath the plinth connecting the Brown-Kopel Center and the Gavin Engineering Research Laboratory. This 16,000 square-foot space will provide resources facilitating professional-grade electronics manufacturing, including an Inline Production PCB Assembly Line allowing students to build and test electronics at an industrial scale, and a high-mix assembly system capable of placing tiny components with extreme precision. In addition, it will feature a suite of powerful imaging tools typically found only in high-level research facilities. An MX1 X-Ray system will enable inspection of the internal integrity of manufactured electronics without damaging them. Cutting-edge microscopy will be supported by scanning electron microscopes, a transmission electron microscope and an ion beam microscope.
Perhaps even bigger, the project will boost the total footprint of our Design and Innovation Center — the largest student-run makerspace in the nation — from 12,000 square feet to more than 19,000 square feet. The expansion will include high-tech prototyping tools such as Trotec laser cutters and approximately 40 additional 3D printers. It will also allow for integrated design resources such as AR/VR stations, large-format printers and a crafting station equipped with embroidery machines, heat presses and vinyl cutters.
In April, our Auburn Alumni Engineering Council held its spring meeting and celebrated the 60th anniversary of its first meeting. The distinguished group was established in 1965 and held its first meeting in 1966. The council is a group of Auburn Engineering alumni who work together to support the vision and goals of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. The council meets twice annually to assist and advise the college, and its members serve on committees geared to the mission and operation of the college. The council provides leadership and participation in areas such as academics, fundraising, governmental affairs, public relations, research, the student experience and more.
We are extremely grateful to alumni such as those on the council and Maj. Gen. Livingston. These individuals give back to inspire future generations of engineering alumni, living out the words of the Auburn Creed by believing in “hard work, honesty, truthfulness and a spirit that is not afraid.”
War Eagle!
Mario R. Eden
Dean of Engineering
Joe T. and Billie Carole McMillan Chair
