2019 in review: Top Auburn Engineering stories of the year

There’s no denying it was a big year for the Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. From opening the brand new Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center to enjoying a banner year in research, the college had no shortage of notable achievements.

This list counts down the college’s most popular news stories of 2019. 

5. College of Engineering dedicates $44 million Engineering Student Achievement Center 

After nearly two years of anticipation, the college opened the doors to its new Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center in August. With 142,000 square feet of space, it serves engineering students from all disciplines and is one of the most comprehensive, active-learning environments for engineering students in the country. 

4. NASA awards $5.2 million contract to Auburn University's National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence 

Auburn Engineering’s National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence continues to push the envelope as one of the premier additive manufacturing research centers. The three-year contract awarded by NASA will allow Auburn to develop additive manufacturing processes and techniques for improving the performance of liquid rocket engines. 

3. Auburn Engineering honors top students, faculty and alumni at spring ceremony

Each year, the college recognizes the top students, faculty and alumni from across the engineering campus. This year, at the Marriott at Grand National in Opelika, the college presented 30 student awards, 19 faculty awards and 10 alumni awards, in addition to honoring 48 faculty members who hold named professorships and chairs. 

2. Auburn jumps four spots in U.S. News undergraduate engineering rankings 

Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering continues to emerge as one of the nation’s top engineering colleges, ranking No. 29 among public institutions in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. Auburn moved up four spots among public institutions from No. 33 in the 2019 rankings. 

1. Biomechanical Engineering lab scores big for Auburn football with 3-D printed orthotics

Auburn football receivers Anthony Schwartz and Seth Williams took some big hits on the field this season. But thanks to assistant professor Michael Zabala, the duo were able to stay on the field with custom 3-D printed orthotics to protect prior injuries. 

Read all of Auburn Engineering’s headlines from 2019.