Lipscomb students in the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering will soon be able to pursue their degree within the walls of a new building designed to provide a state-of-the-art learning environment.
Engineering classes at Lipscomb began in the 1930s, but the program transformed into the College of Engineering it is today because of the perseverance of Raymond B. Jones.
Jones’ daughter came to Lipscomb to study engineering, but was unable to finish her degree due to the lack of an engineering school. This situation inspired Jones to take action.
“About 15 years ago, Ray [Jones] made this initial start and we are benefitting today from that,” Dean of the College of Engineering Justin Myrick said. “None of us would probably be here if it weren’t for his dedication.”
In the 1960s, Lipscomb implemented a program that allowed students to transfer after three years and complete their engineering degree elsewhere. In 2002, the university had her first engineering graduates, but it wasn’t until 2004 that the bachelor’s degree program became accredited.
“Today we honor the past and we definitely look towards the future,” senior development director Mark Meador said. “A future that will include a four-story, 27,000 square foot building.”
The new building will house innovation labs and collaborative learning areas.
David Scobey, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said he was particularly excited about the faculty and students that would be walking the halls of the new building.
“I’m excited about the magical thing that happens when you take a faculty that believes in God, and students who are trying to pursue a degree in engineering, and you bring them together in the same building in the same classroom where they’re not only getting a great technical education, but they’re getting an education about life and about service and about what it means to be a vocational minister in the field of engineering,” Scobey said.
During the groundbreaking ceremony held on Dec. 2, Lipscomb President Randy Lowry said the area around the new engineering building would also be receiving an upgrade.
Lowry said the parking lot in front of the new building would soon be transformed into the largest quad on campus. Surrounding the new area would also be a second addition to the Village and more parking garages.
“I hope by the time I get through here you have memorized this statement because it really does apply to these moments: Nothing ever rose to touch the sky unless some dreamed that it could, others believed that it should and still others willed that it would,” Lowry said.