University adds servant engineering to curriculum

Newberg, Ore. —” George Fox University—s engineering bachelor—s degree program will require students to enroll in a servant engineering course beginning in the spring semester of 2010, giving students the opportunity to engage in a variety of service-oriented projects as part of their engineering major. It is the first engineering program in the country to require a servant engineering component in its curriculum, according to Bob Harder, professor of mechanical engineering and chair of George Fox—s Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering.

George Fox—s engineering program offers concentrations in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, and electrical engineering. With the addition of civil engineering this fall, George Fox became the first West Coast institution in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities to offer a civil engineering program.

Students in the university—s engineering program will be required to take a one-hour course for four consecutive semesters beginning in the spring of their sophomore year and concluding in the fall of their senior year. During that time, they will engage in one or more design projects to assist an organization, charity, or school in need of assistance. Professional engineers will work with students as consultants and partners to research, design, and deliver engineering solutions. Service —tracks— will focus on assisting the developing world, designing assistive technologies, performing K-12 outreach, engaging in community service, and stimulating economic development by creating industries for the poor.

—We—ve done several service projects over the years, so in a way this is nothing new for us,— Harder said. —The difference now is, we—ll be requiring students to take on a project and take this course as part of their curriculum. Ultimately, we see it as an extension of our mission as a department and as a university —” to produce engineers who are not only technically competent but who are people of character, people who live out their faith and use the talents they—ve been given to make the world a better place.—

The servant engineering course will avoid engaging in projects that can be resolved by purchasing an existing system, as the goal of the course is to provide technical —” not financial —” assistance.

The program is currently looking for professional engineers who wish to participate on a variety of levels, either as partners (regular participation in full-team meetings), as associates (actively involved in specific projects), or as consultants (available for consultation in their area of expertise).

—We—d like to be a clearing house for service projects, connecting servant engineers willing to work on projects with projects that need servant engineers,— said Gary Spivey, associate professor of electrical engineering. —This synergy will benefit everyone, as the professional engineer will be blessed by the ability to serve students and students will benefit from professional mentoring and training that can only be given by a practicing engineer.—