New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering celebrated the gift of a Cummins diesel engine during an unveiling event held this week as part of National Engineers Week activities.
The 4,000-pound engine, donated by Cummins Inc., will serve as a hands-on learning tool for students in the College of Engineering, said Samah Ben Ayed, professor and interim associate department head of Engineering Technology and Surveying Engineering. Ben Ayed led the partnership between Cummins and NMSU that resulted in the engine gift.
“This engine will be enhancing classroom instruction with real-world, hands-on applications in mechanical systems, showcasing power cycles and engine performance,” Ben Ayed said. “The gift reflects continued collaboration between industry leaders and NMSU in preparing students for careers in engineering and advanced manufacturing.”
The celebration brought together students, faculty, college leadership and industry representatives to recognize the impact of experiential learning and industry partnership. Robert Rivas, Cummins executive director of supplier quality, thanked faculty for the work they do in preparing students for the workforce.
“Teaching the next generation is the only way we progress as a globe and as a country,” Rivas said while speaking at the unveiling ceremony. “And to the students, we need you to succeed. Your families need you to succeed, our country needs you to succeed, and it's very important you take as much as you can from all the learning. Education is such an important part of success.”
The event highlighted the importance of equipping future engineers with access to modern technology and equipment that mirrors what they will encounter in the workforce.
“What makes today meaningful isn’t just the size or the power of this engine, it is really the opportunity it is going to provide our students," said David Jauregui, interim dean of the NMSU College of Engineering. “Cummins donated this extraordinary piece of equipment to enhance laboratory instruction in our Department of Engineering Technology and Surveying Engineering, which will benefit students throughout the College of Engineering for years to come.”
As part of the event, a group of engineering capstone students who began working on an enclosure for the engine spoke about their ongoing hands-on experience.
The engine, which is typically found in heavy-duty pickup trucks and ambulances, will be integrated into coursework and laboratory experiences, providing students opportunities to study engine components, diagnostics, efficiency, emissions systems and performance analysis in a hands-on environment.
Ben Ayed said a micro-credential course is planned for the College of Engineering for students interested in engines.
The celebration took place during Engineers Week, an annual series of events designed to showcase innovation, promote professional development and connect students with industry partners. This year’s sponsors include Cummins Inc., Exxon Mobil Corporation and Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Representatives from Cummins held various events for students throughout the day on day two of E-Week celebrations. Resume reviews, a lecture on artificial intelligence in industry, student organization talks and a Lego building competition all took place on “Cummins Day” of E Week.
NMSU's E-Week celebrations conclude with the 50th annual Bromilow Lecture featuring James Owen, NMSU alumnus and retired Los Alamos National Laboratory Associate Laboratory director for weapons engineering and chief engineer for nuclear weapons. The lecture will take place at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in Jett Hall, room 259, on the NMSU main campus. Parking information for visitors may be at https://services.nmsu.edu/parking/visitors.html.
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CUTLINE: Faculty, staff, students and Cummins leadership gather around the newly donated diesel engine gifted to New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering, with the goal of strengthening hands-on student learning. The ceremony was held during National Engineers Week celebrations at NMSU. (NMSU Photo by Vladimir Avina)
Description: A group of people stand next to and behind a large diesel engine that is displayed in a courtyard.
CUTLINE: Robert Rivas, Cummins executive director of supplier quality, sit and stand next to the 4,000-pound diesel engine while speaking at the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 24. (NMSU Photo by Vladimir Avina)
Description: A man in a suit stands next to a diesel engine while speaking at an event.
CUTLINE: Cummins Inc. has donated a diesel engine to New Mexico State University’s College of Engineering with the goal of strengthening hands-on student learning. The 4,000-pound diesel engine is currently housed at NMSU’s Aggie Innovation Space machine shop. (NMSU Photo by Vladimir Avina)
Description: A large diesel engine with computer controls in a machine shop.
