Tech Opens Islam Engineering Building

Tennessee Tech celebrated the grand opening of the school’s new Ashraf Islam Engineering building Tuesday.

Lee said the university’s new building and engineering programs will help the state reach its aspirations of providing a better infrastructure for the state. Lee said the new building is a way for the state and university to give back to the students.

“I view this as a way to repay students for their commitment to investing in Tennessee Tech, their lives in Tennessee Tech, and their careers in the field of education of engineering,” Lee said. “Because we desperately need engineers in this state.”

Board of Trustees Chairman Trudy Harper said she calls the new building the no excuses building as it has some of the best lab equipment in the country. Harper said Tech has produced some very successful engineers and now can only imagine what potential the university can unlock with engineering students moving forward.

“Think about what’s going to happen now that those students graduate from this place,” Harper said. “This is going to be the home of the future leaders, innovators, designers, dreamers, and the people who are going to make this country better than it is right now.”

Ashraf Islam donated $3 million to fund the project of the building that bears his name. Islam said the building will provide opportunities that students have never had before.

“The facility is a beacon of hope and opportunity for the future generation of engineers,” Islam said. “It presents a commitment to excellence of education and promises that students will have the resources and the support that they need to excel.”

Harper said the new building is beyond her wildest imagination. Harper said the building will set a high standard for the university and the students.

“Our students and our faculty all deserve this beautiful building,” Harper said. “It’s reflective of what we are capable of and what our students should be aspiring to.”

Lee said Tennessee has the fastest-growing economy in the country and the state has many opportunities already. Lee said he admires Islam and his journey and encouraged students to have the same dedication to success.