Engineering Students Build Access Through Service
ENGR 2080 partners with SAWS to design and install ADA ramps for Anderson residents
Students in Anderson University’s Service through Engineering and Technology course, ENGR 2080, are putting their skills into action this fall to meet real needs in the Anderson community. Partnering with Servants at Work (SAWS), a ministry that builds wheelchair ramps for people with disabilities, the class has designed and will build three ramps for residents in need.
Throughout the semester, student teams have applied classroom learning to hands-on service. After completing site surveys and creating design documents for SAWS, they are now moving into the construction phase. Prefabrication will take place in the university’s engineering center on Friday afternoons—Nov. 7, 14, and 21. Installation days will follow on Saturdays, Nov. 8, 15, and 22, when teams of 10 to 12 students will assemble and install the ramps at homes throughout the Anderson area.
This project reflects the university’s mission of combining academic excellence with Christian service. “Service through Engineering and Technology” encourages students to use their knowledge and creativity to serve others, demonstrating how faith and professional expertise can work together to impact lives.
“These ramp projects help students see that engineering isn’t just about solving technical problems—it’s about loving people through the unique skills we’ve been given as engineers and problem-solvers. By planning, designing, and building these ramps, students aren’t just serving others—they’re gaining hands-on experience that teaches them what it truly means to apply engineering as a way to love God and love others.” – Professor Brian McKenna
Each ramp not only provides accessibility but also restores independence and dignity for local residents. Students experience first-hand the difference engineering can make in people’s daily lives, reinforcing the course’s central goal: to engineer solutions that meet both technical and human needs.
By collaborating with SAWS, students gain exposure to nonprofit partnerships and community-based engineering. The project also allows them to develop teamwork and leadership skills while addressing a meaningful cause. As they design, build, and install these ramps, students embody Anderson University’s call to live out real life transformed—applying their education in service to others.
About Anderson University
Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, social work, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.
