Project Engineering

From the time people first chipped rocks into tools and turned logs into rafts, engineering has been shaping

the way we live. It’s always been more than just a job —it’s the driving force behind human progress in so many ways.

At Marshall University, engineering has not only driven progress but is a story of rebirth. A program that had been all but erased at Marshall was reestablished and has quickly grown into one of the university’s signature achievements, turning out graduates who are not only highly skilled but also deeply committed to solving real-world challenges.

This year, the university celebrates that progress along with the 10-year anniversary of engineering’s home on campus — the Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex — an advanced, 152,000-square-foot facility that has helped the program become a vibrant and growing testament to the power of dreams.

Reviving the Future Of Engineering

For decades, engineering flourished at Marshall University, producing skilled graduates, fueling innovation and building a proud tradition of excellence. That momentum, however, came to a halt in the 1970s when state officials redirected the program to other West Virginia institutions, leaving Marshall’s once-vibrant engineering legacy in pause for a generation.

However, supporters of the program never gave up their dream that it would be revived. Slowly, a cooperative engineering program with then West Virginia Institute of Technology allowed Marshall students to participate in an “Engineering Transfer” program. The dream started taking shape.

Fast forward to 2006, and Marshall’s engineering program was revived under the leadership of President Stephen J. Kopp. The effort was made possible through the commitment of a wide network of supporters. Forward-focused business leaders like State Electric founder Art Weisberg and J.H. Fletcher, partners such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and dedicated policymakers including former West Virginia Sen. Robert Plymale, among others, built an important nexus for the university. Together with countless community members, they anticipated the growing demand for engineers and worked to ensure that Marshall could once again play a central role in preparing the next generation of innovators.

Since its rebirth, the engineering program has scaled tremendously. Originally offering just one program — a bachelor of science degree in engineering with an emphasis in civil engineering — the college has since expanded to educate students in biomedical, electrical, civil, mechanical and other engineering fields, even offering a doctoral program in engineering.

“The first decade of the program, the emphasis was on building a quality undergraduate program in engineering, as well as maintaining a quality master’s of engineering,” said David Dampier, dean of Marshall’s College of Engineering and Computer Sciences, who is a retired military officer and computer scientist by education. “That original philosophy began as student-centered, with exposure to engineering practice through project-based learning, internships and engineering-related employment. Over time, the program focus has evolved to become more research-oriented but still committed to engineering practice and hands-on learning.”

During the past 20 years, there have been significant milestones, including the initial accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in 2008 and graduation of the first class. Professor Rick McCormick, who is now retired, said those first graduates sent a powerful message about the value and marketability of a Marshall engineering education.

“Their immediate success, coupled with support and encouragement from the leadership at the Corps of Engineers, helped our program to grow by demonstrating the employability of our graduates, and the demand for their services,” McCormick said. “The early years of our program certainly hinged on the expertise of faculty like Bill Pierson, Wael Zatar and our first dean, Betsy Dulin, who worked to get the program off the ground with a focus on providing quality engineering graduates.”

Meeting the Challenges Ahead

Market demand for engineers continues to be robust with various sectors experiencing significant growth, which fuels the growth of Marshall’s engineering programs as potential students see the options for amazing careers. One area, biomedical engineering, is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Marshall student Kayla Clatterbuck, a senior from Wheeling, West Virginia, who is studying biomedical engineering, hopes to capitalize on that projection.

“I chose Marshall because its engineering program is fairly new and I liked the smaller number of people in classes,” Clatterbuck said. “With Marshall, they also offered more research at the undergraduate level, which has allowed me to work in the lab since my freshman year.

“I’ve been able to go to different conferences, even to South Korea, work with mentors and other biomedical engineers.”

Clatterbuck said she is still considering her path after graduation but hopes to work directly in the field of biomedical engineering.

“I’m still deciding if I want to get my master’s degree or just jump into the field,” she explained. “My main reason for going into the field is that my mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was younger and is now a 14-year survivor. I saw all the technology with her treatments through the medical process and thought I can make a difference in people’s lives.”

With a current enrollment of approximately 934 students in undergraduate and graduate

engineering programs, an increase of 27% since 2022, students like Clatterbuck have directly benefited from the dedicated community members who worked diligently alongside university officials to reestablish Marshall’s engineering program.

Celebrating Progress While Planning More

Just recently, the university celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Arthur Weisberg Family Applied Engineering Complex (WAEC), a state-of-the-art facility where all engineering students take classes, study and explore engineering through lab work. The WAEC has designated lab space for a variety of engineering pursuits, including an Advanced Materials Testing Lab, Environmental Lab, Thermal Engineering Lab, Hydraulics and Pneumatics Lab, Fluids and Hydraulics Lab, Controls and Instrumentation Lab, Industrial Controls Lab, Circuits and PLC Lab, and a Machine Shop.

During the late summer anniversary event, Joan Weisberg remembered her late husband, Art, and reflected on his legacy.

“Art came to Huntington with a little bit of money saved from the Army, a degree in electrical engineering paid for by the GI Bill, a great team of people, and he created the American dream with two successful businesses,” she said. “When we were approached about bringing back engineering to Marshall, we jumped on the idea. We felt likean engineering program would help Marshall to become a leading university… and today we celebrate.”

According to Dampier, plans include expanding in areas like aerospace engineering, which has seen an increase in interest, most likely attributable to Marshall’s aviation programs, as well as advanced energy and cybersecurity, and continued growth in research, an initiative that Dampier is particularly proud of during his tenure as dean.

“I was initially hired to help boost research productivity,” Dampier said. “We’ve gone from approximately $500,000 annually to over $6 million per year in five years in the college.

"Approximately 75% of our faculty in the college are doing funded research. I’m equally proud that, in addition to our enrollment growth, we’ve also seen more of our faculty rise to senior ranks.”