Tech Engineering Building Should Be Complete By June

Tennessee Tech’s new engineering building should be complete by June with a grand opening set for October.

Tech President Phil Oldham said the 100,000 square foot facility will provide new opportunities for students.

“It’s literally going to be a game changer,” Oldham said. “The College of Engineering and Tech has been well-recognized for decades as being a leader in engineering education. But this is the first engineering building we’ve had in 50 years. And so long overdue to have new facilities that enable the students and the faculty to do the best research and best work around and continue to produce the lion’s share of engineers for the state of Tennessee that go out and build bridges and roads and buildings and protect our internet and all kinds of things.”

Work completed recently to dig out a lake that will accompany the facility. Oldham said it is important to have water features and green space as part of the campus build out.

“I’m a big believer in that everybody, students, faculty, everybody wants to be at a place that is attractive, that is inspiring, and and helps propel us to do our very best work,” Oldham said. “That’s the campus we’re creating. I believe if we’re not already, I think we’re well on track to have the prettiest university campus in the state of Tennessee, and that’s our goal.”

A natural spring will help fill the lake, Oldham said, as will mother nature.

Oldham said a piece of sculpture will also be added to the facility. He said that will be visible in the next few weeks.

Oldham said the community will be invited to the October grand opening of the Ashraf Islam Engineering Building. He said he is also hopeful of having the governor in town to officially open the $62 million facility.