On April 17, 2025, Austin College held a press conference announcing the addition of its new Bachelor of Science in Engineering program. After several years of offering a pre-professional track, students can now graduate fully prepared for engineering internships, full-time jobs, and graduate school.
The program currently allows students to focus on either mechanical or electrical engineering, or to follow a general engineering curriculum, with plans for additional specializations to be added as dictated by industry demand. The program goes beyond technical skills, fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication—hallmarks of a liberal arts education and key qualities for success in the ever-evolving field of engineering.
At the press conference, President Steven P. O’Day elaborated on why the College has chosen to add an engineering program at this point in its history. “In light of Texoma’s extraordinary growth and the needs that will come with it, the Austin College faculty reflected on what Austin College could offer to meet this moment in the story of our region,” said O’Day. “I hope that this announcement today of a new Bachelor of Science in Engineering program is a reminder that Austin College has a major role to play in the development of our region.”
Dr. Rahul Renu, Founding Director of the Engineering Program and Associate Professor of Engineering, followed O’Day to share some of the program’s highlights. “The Austin College Engineering Program will deliver a world-class engineering education to students through a hands-on, project-based curriculum,” said Renu. “Our partnerships with companies and organizations such as Huitt-Zollars, SEDCO, GlobalWafers, and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, just to name a few, will provide students with transformative opportunities beyond the classroom.”
An Engineering Advisory Council comprised of representatives from these and other partner entities has been assembled to provide industry perspective to the program’s organizers, faculty, and students. Advisory Council members will be hosting internships, serving as guest speakers and mentors, and potentially employing graduates.
Pictured above at the press conference for the engineering program announcement (L to R): Brent Omdahl (Executive Vice President for Government Affairs at GlobalWafers Co., Ltd.), Heidi Rushing ’04 (Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Austin College), President Steven O’Day, Dr. Rahul Renu (Founding Director of Engineering Program, Associate Professor of Engineering), Clay Barnett (Sherman City Council member and Vice President of engineering firm Huitt-Zollars - Sherman office), Kent Sharp (SEDCO President/CEO), Shawn Teamann (Sherman Mayor), Dr. Beth Gill (Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of Faculty)
In the spring term of their senior year, students will enroll in a 14-week Capstone Design course. In alignment with the program’s real-world, hands-on emphasis, they will work with an industry partner to complete a specific project—typically a challenge the partner has had to suspend for any number of reasons. With faculty mentorship, a dedicated student team will work to find a solution within the scope of project specifications and industry standards.
The first engineering degrees are slated to be conferred with the Class of 2029, and interest among applicants has been significant. The program will be eligible for ABET accreditation upon completion by the first students, and once received, will apply retroactively to all interim graduates.
Far from contrasting with the traditional liberal arts education, the Austin College Bachelor of Science in Engineering program is poised to be a true representation of what is possible when the creative blends with the technical to the benefit of local industry and the greater community.
Coming Soon: Harris Engineering Center
Construction of a new facility for the College’s recently launched engineering program has been announced by President Steven O’Day. The project is made possible by a transformational gift of $5.5 million from Mary Ann ’70 and James R. Harris ’67 of Fort Worth, Texas.
The facility, which will be known as the Harris Engineering Center, will be a state-of-the-art home for engineering at Austin College. Designed by Corgan Architects in Dallas, the building will have an open, airy, modern aesthetic, and will house six labs, two classrooms, faculty offices, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The approximately 8,000 square foot space will include collaborative classrooms, individual workspaces, room for specialized equipment, and some unfinished space to allow future expansion for an additional engineering concentration. The new facility should be completed in 2029—right when enrollment projections predict it will outgrow the current space within the IDEA Center.
In his announcement, President O’Day said, “This beautiful, permanent home for Austin College engineering signals the program’s strength and exceptional promise, positioning it for both immediate and long-term success. The Harrises’ significant leadership in supporting this endeavor is a testament to the exceptional promise of the program to advance the institution forward at this time of unprecedented regional opportunity. Additionally, as Austin College alumni, the Harrises recognized the value in rooting the program within the College’s broad and rigorous liberal arts curriculum, ensuring that students develop leadership, ethical reasoning, and critical thinking skills alongside a robust technical education.”
Jim and Mary Ann Harris have been faithful supporters of the College for years through contributions including the Mary Ann and James R. Harris Endowed JanTerm Scholarship and the Biology Level of the IDEA Center.