2024 in review: Top Auburn Engineering stories of the year
Published: Dec 20, 2024 10:00 AM
By Dustin Duncan
Auburn engineers accomplished great things in 2024, including obtaining the largest research contract in university history, celebrating the world's first field-installed, clinically approved parallel transmit 7T MRI scanner, large scholarship pledges and being home to the new "mic-man" for Auburn Cheerleading.
5. Mechanical engineering senior selected as new Auburn Cheerleading ‘Mic-man’
Senior Ben Timm is one of the leaders down in the Design and Manufacturing Lab in Wiggins Hall. He’s the guy in charge of teaching folks how to machine safely. He chose mechanical engineering because he loved working with his hands. But for the next year, he'll be better known for working with his voice.
Timm was recently tapped as Auburn University's newest “mic-man,” tasked this fall with leading the Jordan-Hare legions in classic cheers like Track'em, Two Bits and — the one he's most looking forward to — Bodda Getta.
4. Auburn University engineering alumnus makes $10M scholarship pledge to his alma mater
An Auburn University alumnus has made a $10 million pledge that will provide an estimated more than 300 scholarships to Auburn Engineering students during the next 20 years, making it the largest single commitment to scholarships in Auburn University history.
Jeff Hills, ’93 civil engineering, recently established the Jeffery S. Hills Scholarship in Auburn’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering with the program providing financial assistance to first-generation students from the state of Alabama who are in financial need.
Auburn University is now home to the world’s first field-installed, clinically approved parallel transmit Terra.X 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner — expanding the window for cutting-edge research and public use.
The $9 million Siemens MAGNETOM 7T, located in the Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering’s Neuroimaging Center, was certified by the Food and Drug Administration for use on clinical patients and it provides superior imaging compared to the college’s previous 7T research device
Thomas Lester didn’t have time for his morning coffee as he rushed back to Auburn from a weekend visit with family in Florida. About two hours into his six-hour drive to make a 9 a.m. class, he had an idea. Earlybird is a single-use canned beverage capable of heating faster than a Keurig. Through rapid interior heating, the product’s prototype can reach temperatures of 170 degrees within minutes, while the can’s insulated coating prevents burns.
How much is Auburn University's advanced manufacturing expertise worth to the U.S. Army? Up to $50 million. That's the total of a new three-year project — the single largest prime research contract ever awarded to Auburn University — designed to help the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center boost its increasing modernization efforts.
Presenting the top five news stories from 2024.