School of Engineering receives grant award from Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization

MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University’s School of Engineering recently received a grant award from the Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization (PACRO).

The $56,000 grant award will fund a mechatronics lab expansion in the School of Engineering and was presented to Murray State representatives on July 10 by PACRO Executive Director Greg Wiles and PACRO Board Chairman Eddie Jones. 

The lab is used to support students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in electromechanical engineering technology and manufacturing engineering technology, as well as students pursuing the Associate of Science degree in mechatronics. Students take multiple classes in the lab where they learn automation, controls and robotics using industry-standard equipment. The grant funds will be used to update and expand the number of training stations in the lab. 

Dr. Jamie Rogers, chair of Murray State’s School of Engineering and Jordan Smith, Murray State executive director of government and institutional relations who also serves on the PACRO board, presented a proposal in May which was unanimously approved by the board. 

“The School of Engineering continuously seeks to provide state-of-the-art learning experiences for our students so that they are ready to meet the needs of industry in our region and state,” Rogers said. “This grant from PACRO enables us to expand our lab capabilities as we respond to significant growth in enrollment in our engineering and engineering technology programs.”  

“We are fortunate to have Murray State University’s representation and participation on PACRO’s Executive Committee,” Wiles said. “PACRO is honored to help with the funding for the automation lab expansion in the electromechanical engineering technology program. We are confident the grant funding will help create new employment opportunities and provide the necessary education to meet the increasing electromechanical engineering technology demands in our region.”

"I want to thank the PACRO Board, Executive Director Greg Wiles and PACRO Board Chairman Eddie Jones for their support of the School of Engineering,” Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson said. “They recognize that our many important engineering programs and regional initiatives are vitally important to economic and workforce development in our region. We are deeply grateful for their gift and support."

Learn more about PACRO at pacroky.com and Murray State’s School of Engineering at murraystate.edu/engineering.