Auburn University is initiating a project aimed at extending its support for the state’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, the school announced in Monday’s Board of Trustees June recap.
Late last week, the Board approved the construction of an Analytical, Innovation and Manufacturing Laboratory at the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. According to the release, the lab will aim to “foster workforce development, interdisciplinary collaboration and industry-relevant research and innovation aimed broadly at advanced manufacturing.”
“Auburn University stands as a premier institution in the country for advanced manufacturing due to its cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art facilities and unwavering commitment to advancing the field,” said Allan David, associate dean for research in the Ginn College of Engineering. “Our interdisciplinary approach, coupled with industry partnerships, ensures that Auburn remains at the forefront of advanced manufacturing innovation, preparing the next generation of leaders to drive industry growth and technological advancement.”
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David added that the new facility will keep the Ginn College of Engineering among the nation’s elite advanced manufacturing schools.
According to the university, the planned renovations will feature new laboratories focused on “manufacturing, material analysis and testing.” It will also offer “collaborative and innovative spaces to encourage idea generation and project development, promoting an active environment for entrepreneurship and technological progress.”
The university is in the process of searching for an architect to renovate 16,000 square feet of space underneath the Ginn College of Engineering’s rooftop Gavin Garden.
The monthly recap also provided updates on several of the university’s other upcoming projects, including a $25.7 million video board expected to be completed in the north end zone of Jordan-Hare Stadium by the start of the 2025 football season, a studio theatre and amphitheater scheduled to be built at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, and a renovation plan for the Rural Studio’s Red Barn in Newbern, Alabama.
Charles Vaughan is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News.
