MTSU unveils cutting-edge Applied Engineering Building, prepping students for high tech careers [+VIDEO]

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Current Middle Tennessee State University students like Abbie Lee and those in the future will benefit from the new 90,000-square-foot Applied Engineering Building, officially opened Wednesday, Aug. 6, with a ribbon-cutting attended by hundreds of university and program supporters.

“The new building provides access to cutting-edge technology and collaborative spaces that will enhance hands-on learning and innovation,” said Lee, 22, of Glasgow, Kentucky, a mechatronics engineering major and math minor who graduated in May and is now in graduate school. “For me, it’s the realization of a goal that has been in the works since I first arrived on campus.”

A portion of the crowd of several hundred people attending the ribbon cutting for the new Middle Tennessee State University Applied Engineering Building mills about the Donald and Frances McDonald Atrium Wednesday, Aug. 6, on the east side of campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Current and future students will enjoy the 90,000-square-foot facility costing $74.8 million and featuring cutting-edge technology, much of it provided by industry partners. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

The new three-story, $74.8 million facility will be the home to the renowned Mechatronics Engineering program and other Engineering Technology concentrations, providing students with the state-of-the-art space, robotics and engineering equipment and education to continue the mission to prepare for ever-changing careers in engineering, technology, design, automation and manufacturing.

Watch video from the ceremony below:

“This facility represents our commitment to providing our students with relevant skills development, hands-on access to state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment and the state’s most technologically advanced training in Mechatronics Engineering,” said MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, who along with Lee, was among a group of speakers at the much-anticipated grand opening on the east side of campus next door to the School of Concrete and Construction Management Building that opened in 2022.

“Our programs needed dynamic new space, with resources to explore, create and learn.

This exciting new building will be our latest contribution to our students’ needs and will stand as a visible reminder of our commitment to our region’s economic prosperity,” McPhee added.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee, center left, and MTSU Board of Trustees Chair Stephen B. Smith, center right, cut the ribbon, officially opening the 90,000-square-foot Applied Engineering Building Wednesday, Aug. 6, on the east side of campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn., as industry partners, supporters and event speakers show their approval. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Dr. Ken Currie, chair, MTSU Engineering Technology — Dr. Ken Currie

Engineering Technology Chair Ken Currie said “this investment in engineering and technology infrastructure is the culmination of the hard work of many individuals and groups. … I’ve taught at four different universities in 38 years, and I’ve never worked with a group of more dedicated and caring faculty and staff than I have here at MTSU. For them, this building is a dream come true and it should be dedicated to them.”

Dr. Greg Van Patten, professor, Chemistry; dean, CBAS — Dr. Greg Van Patten

Greg Van Patten, College of Basic and Applied Sciences dean, said, “to our students, this is your space. To our faculty, this is your platform. And to our partners and supporters who have and will continue to support us — this is your legacy. I invite each of you to walk the halls, explore the labs and makerspaces to witness the momentum that we are building here. The future of applied engineering at MTSU starts right here and right now.”

Featured spaces will include the Dr. Richard Gould Mechatronics Laboratory, named for the late professor and department chair from 1979-95. While his widow, Jean Gould, was unable to attend, their sons Jimmy Gould and Jeff Gould were among the speakers during the hourlong event that included tours.

Representing their mother, Jean Gould, brothers Jimmy, left, and Jeff Gould, check out leading edge technology in one of the Middle Tennessee State University Applied Engineering Building Gould Mechatronics Laboratory Wednesday, Aug. 6, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., following the ribbon cutting to help open the $74.8 million, 90,000-square-foot facility for current and future MTSU students and faculty. The Gould’s father, the late Richard “Dick” Gould, was a professor and Industrial Studies chair from 1979-95. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt) — Representing their mother, Jean Gould, brothers Jimmy, left, and Jeff Gould, check out leading edge technology in one of the Middle Tennessee State University Applied Engineering Building Gould Mechatronics Laboratory Wednesday, Aug. 6, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., following the ribbon cutting to help open the $74.8 million, 90,000-square-foot facility for current and future MTSU students and faculty. The Gould’s father, the late Richard “Dick” Gould was a professor and Industrial Studies chair from 1979-95. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Other featured spaces include the Co-Bot Workplace Development Center; the DexCom/Automation Nth FlexBases (equipment) and research laboratories; Assurant Technology Lab; labs for the award-winning Experimental Vehicles Program and modular, easily retrofitted learning spaces to meet evolving technologies; a Makerspace area and new robotics and automation labs, and enhanced student opportunities for faculty-led research.

The facility consolidates the MTSU Engineering Technology Department student and research laboratories, classrooms and faculty offices into one focal learning center that allows students to meet, study and work collaboratively with each other and with faculty.

The department’s website said explosive growth in programs, especially Mechatronics Engineering, has placed extraordinary strains on the department’s limited, aging classroom and lab spaces at the Voorhies Engineering Technology Building, named for the late longtime Industrial Studies Chair Edwin Voorhies, and elsewhere.

Mechatronics is the integration of mechanical, electrical and computer systems employing mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electrical engineering and computer engineering. It also includes ever-emerging robotics, automation and more.

In front of a capacity crowd in a large classroom, Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney A. McPhee thanks all those involved with the planning, financial support, construction, industry partners and more for the new Applied Engineering Building Wednesday, Aug. 6, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., as part of the ribbon cutting ceremony. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Solid community, industry partners

McPhee acknowledged the presence and support of state legislators, local governments and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to the Goulds, the president gave special recognition to alumni and longtime financial supporters Donald and Frances McDonald, whose names now adorn the building’s atrium; Jeff Buck with Automation Nth; Brandon Johnson with Assurant Inc.; and industry partners Dexcom and Keysight.

Wold Architects and Engineers of Brentwood and Denark Construction of Knoxville respectively designed and built the facility, in coordination with the university’s Campus Planning Department, with the project completed on time for the start of the fall 2025 semester. Atlanta, Ga.-based Architecture firm Cooper Carry Inc. and I.C. Thomasson Associates Inc. consulting were part of the team.

Brandon Johnson, Assurnat Inc. senior vice president — Brandon Johnson

Assurant’s Johnson said the global device care company’s strengthening ties with the university and the Engineering Technology program has resulted in numerous MTSU alumni being hired by Assurant who have taken leading roles in expanding the company’s innovation.

“Assurant’s partnership with the mechatronics program at MTSU began over six years ago when we started collaborating with the university to provide industry-sponsored projects for students,” said Johnson, senior vice president, global supply chain, at Assurant, serving on MTSU’s Engineering Technology Advisory Board and working alongside 20 MTSU alumni at Assurant’s Device Care Center in Mt. Juliet.

”Last fall, we were thrilled to be able to support the construction of the new Applied Engineering Building through our own Assurant Foundation,” Johnson added. “Today, we are genuinely proud to see the lab come to life, and we look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the university’s leadership, instructors and students, inspiring the next generation of engineers to create the future.”

McPhee said that from the beginning, “our faculty and industry advisers were adamant that we needed to develop the most advanced educational space possible, with labs and experiential learning spaces that would emulate anything in the commercial sector. They were clear this was a project that industry embraced and was willing to work with us to make it a reality.”

Middle Tennessee State University graduate student and spring mechatronics engineering graduate Abbie Lee of Glasgow, Ky., passionately shares what the new Applied Engineering Building will mean to current and future students during the ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 6, in the 90,000-square-foot, $74.8 million facility featuring cutting-edge technology on the east side of campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli) — ***Middle Tennessee State University graduate student and spring mechatronics engineering graduate Abbie Lee of Glasgow, Ky.,*** passionately shares what the new Applied Engineering Building will mean to current and future students during the ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday, Aug. 6, in the 90,000-square-foot, $74.8 million facility featuring cutting-edge technology on the east side of campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by J. Intintoli)

Beth Meadows, associate at Wold Architects and Engineers, said, “It’s incredibly rewarding to see this vision take shape in a facility that truly reflects the future of engineering education. The Applied Engineering Building was designed to spark curiosity, support hands-on learning and foster meaningful collaboration. We’re proud to help create a space where the next generation of engineers can develop the skills and mindset needed to drive progress across Tennessee and beyond.”

Middle Tennessee State University graduate student and spring mechatronics engineering graduate Abbie Lee of Glasgow, Ky., — Abbie Lee

For those in that next generation of engineers like Lee, who’s also an award-winning Blue Raider women’s golf team member, this new space will open doors to their professional futures.

“I’m grateful to have been a part of a program and university that continually invests in our growth and future success,” she said.

Engineering Technology will hold an open house, welcoming the community from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. For more information, call 615-898-5009.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)