MSU graduates first mechanical engineering class
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MSU graduates first mechanical engineering class

  • 07 June 2008
  • 1 min read

 

            Ten students who make up MSU's first graduates of its mechanical engineering program walked the stage to receive their diplomas during the ceremonies this spring.
Started just four years ago, the beginning class was expected to include about 15 students. Instead 62 students called engineering their major field of study during the first year of the program's existence.

            Four years later, 10 students have graduated and nine of the 10 graduates already have jobs with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $60,000. Most of jobs were offered by local employers including ABB, Howmet, Tranter, Treyer Processing Equipment and Ameron.

            One thing is still bothering Dr. Idir Azouz, chair of the McCoy School of Engineering. Only one of the graduates was female. Even though the government offers generous perks to women who pursue a career in engineering, most don't look at it as a career field for them. Due to the current shortage of engineers, the government also offers incentives to all students who pursue engineering as a career.

            MSU engineering students will move into a renovated building next spring that will present them with state-of-the-art facilities including laboratories, storage, offices, conference rooms, pods for students to take a break or work on projects, and more technology.

            The program was named the McCoy School of Engineering for one of the city's leaders, Jim McCoy, who, along with President Jesse W. Rogers, conceived the idea for the program to help area industry.