BGSU marks completion of Engineering and Innovation Center renovation with ribbon-cutting ceremony

The state-of-the-art facility features seven specialty labs where students can train on the same technology used in the workforce

Almost exactly two years after construction began, Bowling Green State University celebrated the completed renovation of its new Engineering and Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to replicate the engineering environments students will encounter in the workplace.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held April 30, marked the beginning of a new era in engineering education, combining hands-on learning, industry-leading technology and a workforce-aligned curriculum in the region’s most modern university engineering lab.

“This state-of-the-art Engineering and Innovation Center is a stake in the ground that represents not only our commitment to the future of engineering programs at Bowling Green, but also to our commitment in ensuring our academic programs are meaningful and relevant for our students and the region and state we serve,” BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. “We are especially grateful for the support from the state, industry leaders and partners, and our many donors and supporters, who collectively made this facility possible, providing hands-on experiences and opportunities for our students as they prepare for their careers in these in-demand areas, supporting our region and state’s talent pipeline in driving our economic vitality.”

Over the past two years, BGSU students and the broader campus community have not only watched the building take shape – they have been a part of its transformation. 

“Watching this facility take shape over the past two years and celebrating each milestone alongside our University community has been incredibly meaningful,” said Wael Mokhtar, dean of the College of Engineering and Innovation. “This building represents far more than steel and glass. It’s where Ohio’s future engineers will develop their skills, tackle complex challenges and gain the hands-on experience that prepares them to lead in the workforce.”

During a groundbreaking ceremony held at Homecoming 2024, just months after construction began, students, faculty, staff and alumni signed two orange steel beams, leaving a lasting mark on the building’s history.

Those beams were installed in January 2025 as the final structural pieces, a major milestone in the project’s construction.

The project also provided hands-on experience for students. BGSU construction management student Ethan Schliesser interned with the general contractor managing the project, offering him a unique opportunity to make a tangible contribution to his university.

"I feel honored to have the chance to impact BGSU and its future construction management students,” Schliesser said during his internship.

The Engineering and Innovation Center opened for classes in January, welcoming students for the start of the Spring 2026 semester. In April, the University announced the first named space in the building – a study lounge.  

The spacious, inviting area will provide a place for students to gather between classes and will honor Donna M. ‘51 and Fredrik R. Barnes, pending BGSU Board of Trustees approval on May 1.

Their generous estate gift will further support the University’s commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers in Ohio and beyond.

In addition to classrooms and offices, the Engineering and Innovation Center features:

• Seven large-scale specialty labs
• Advanced robotics technology that enables students to design and build complete automated systems
• Mixed-reality AI/AR tools for designing, simulating and testing products
• Hands-on training in semiconductor fabrication, one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries
• Access to 3D metal printing, typically reserved for research-level environments
• Collaborative spaces that support teaching, creativity and visible learning