The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) recently marked a significant milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of its new engineering school facility.

According to WBHM Radio, Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall is a state-of-the-art, 110,000-square-foot building costing $77 million. The facility is equipped with cutting-edge laboratories, specialized research suites, and dedicated peer tutoring spaces designed to enhance student collaboration and learning.

“This is a physical manifestation of the engineering school that we aspire to be,” said School of Engineering Dean Jeffrey Holmes, highlighting the importance of the new building in advancing UAB’s engineering education and research goals.

Set to welcome students starting this fall semester, the new hall is expected to become a hub for innovation, offering expanded resources to support hands-on learning and interdisciplinary research.

The building honors Miller Gorrie, a Birmingham native and co-founder of the prominent construction company Brasfield & Gorrie, and his wife Frances, recognizing their contributions and commitment to the university and the local community.

The facility represents more than just a physical space; it symbolizes UAB’s ongoing investment in STEM education and the cultivation of future engineers prepared to tackle global challenges.

University officials expressed optimism that the advanced infrastructure will attract top faculty and students, foster industry partnerships, and elevate the school’s national reputation.

In addition to academic and research facilities, Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall includes collaborative study areas, conference rooms, and sustainable design features that reflect UAB’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

This new building is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting UAB’s strategic plan to expand its engineering programs and increase its impact on regional economic development through innovation and workforce training.

Originally reported by Mike Kennedy in ASUMAG.