Georgia Southern Breaks Ground for Engineering and Research Building

**(L-R)**: Regent Laura Marsh, State Rep. Jan Tankersley, Ga. House Majority Leader, Dr. Dan Nale, Former Interim University President Shelley C. Nickel, Fmr. Gov. Nathan Deal, House Majority Leader Jon Burns, Regents Chair Don L. Waters, State Sen. Jack Hill and Dean Mohammad Davoud.

Late last year, the University hosted former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and other key partners for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new Engineering and Research Building on the Statesboro Campus. The facility will be used to train future engineers, computer professionals and build partnerships with companies in the region.

“Bridging theory and practice, this new state-of-the-art facility will provide access to advanced technologies that will prepare students to meet the changing needs of the industry and the training to meet the demands of the workforce of today and tomorrow,” said Mohammad S. Davoud, Ph.D., dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing.

The facility will feature research and academic learning spaces, a conference center and office spaces for manufacturing, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering programs. It will house labs for robotics and automated manufacturing, nanomaterials manufacturing, traditional and CNC machining and finishing, and metal and nonmetal 3D manufacturing spaces. The labs will help students develop high-level skills on the latest machinery being used every day by industry leaders.

The FY19 state budget included $49.9 million for construction of the three-story facility, which is located on the corner of Forest Drive and Akins Boulevard. The building is expected to open next year.