HAPPENINGS
Alabama legislators tour the Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory.
Auburn Engineering posts banner year for research in fiscal year 2020
The Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has again posted a banner year for externally sponsored projects, bringing in more than $74 million in awards during fiscal year 2020. “We have now had two consecutive years of just outstanding grantsmanship,” said Christopher B. Roberts, dean of engineering. “Our faculty and research staff have really raised the bar in our extramural research program, and I commend them for all of their successes. They are a big reason why we are ascending among the nation’s top engineering colleges.” Of the $74 million received in the fiscal year, which ran from Oct. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2020, $70 million funded new research efforts and $4 million supported new outreach and instruction programs. Auburn Engineering’s research expenditures have historically placed the college among the nation’s top engineering institutions, including in the top 10% for the past 15 years, according to data from the American Society of Engineering Education.
Happenings online Visit our magazine online at eng.auburn.edu/magazine for videos and photos of all these stories.
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Auburn Engineering ranks No. 18 in latest U.S. News online graduate program rankings
For the fifth consecutive year, the Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has landed in the top 25 in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Engineering Programs rankings. The program moved up five spots from last year to No. 18. In addition, Auburn Engineering’s civil engineering program ranked No. 11 within the online engineering specialty rankings, which are based on responses to the peer assessment survey administered to highranking academic officials at engineering colleges with online programs. Auburn’s online computer science and software engineering program ranked No. 21 in this year’s Best Online Information Technology Programs. “This year’s overall ranking is a reflection of our hard-working faculty and Engineering Online staff as we continue to focus on offering the highest quality online programs that mirror the traditional classroom experience,” said Christopher B. Roberts, dean of engineering. “In addition, the graduate online civil engineering program’s individual ranking exemplifies our efforts and we’re honored that it is so highly regarded by our peers.” The annual U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Graduate Engineering Program rankings are based on five factors: student engagement (25%), faculty credentials and training (25%), expert opinion/peer assessment (25%), student services and technology (12.5%), and student excellence (12.5%). View the full rankings at usnews.com/online.
SAMUEL GINN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Legislators, transportation officials marvel at new Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory Dozens of state legislators and transportation officials toured Auburn University’s brand new $22 million Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory (ASEL) during the final leg of the legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee’s “Alabama Roadshow,” a weeklong statewide tour providing a workshop environment for legislators to interact with local planners that took place in December 2020.
Organized by Rep. Margie Wilcox and Alabama Transportation Planners Association President Kevin Harrison, the event doubled as the ATPA’s Southeast Region meeting and allowed representatives of several Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Rural Planning Organizations an up-close look at the game-changing resources the ASEL brings to the structural engineering field. “It’s great to have representatives and senators from throughout the state here to see what’s happening in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and to understand its importance when we’re making budget priority requests in Montgomery,” said Rep. Joe Lovvorn, who represents Auburn in House District 79. “This lab isn’t just important for Auburn University — the work that will be done inside this incredible facility will improve the lives of everyone.”
Listen to our podcast with ASEL Director Justin Marshall at eng.auburn.edu/ginning
