AU Introduces Humanitarian Engineering Major
2 MIN. READ
Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University recently announced the creation of a new humanitarian engineering major. The major will be available beginning in the fall 2021 semester.
Housed within the School of Science and Engineering, the humanitarian engineering major provides students a robust, well-rounded engineering degree, while offering multiple hands-on service opportunities both at home and abroad. A blend of engineering, humanitarian studies, business, and ministry, this complementary major must be paired with another engineering major at AU.
“This complementary major is all about living our mission: to educate engineers for a life of faith and service,” said Ben McPheron, chair of AU’s physical sciences and engineering. “Students completing this major will be well equipped to enter the mission field and use engineering to improve infrastructure, provide for basic human needs, and to be the hands and feet of Christ.”
Students can travel on an AU service trip any time within this four-year program. The goal of these trips is to create partnerships in underdeveloped communities as students build relationships, learn present needs, and implement solutions to meet those needs with intercultural competence and humility. Service locations include Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru.
“I am particularly excited for us to offer the new Engineering Design for Service course where our students will travel and put their engineering skills to use in serving others,” said Chad Wallace, dean of the School of Science and Engineering. “I have long led medical trips with AU pre-med students to places like Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and the jungles of Peru. Some of those students have become medical missionaries. I am eager to see how AU engineering graduates will serve God throughout the world.”
A broad area of study by nature, humanitarian engineering offers students numerous career opportunities for service through the field of engineering, such as engineering missionary work, engineering for non-profit organizations, and for non-governmental organizations.
This program gives Anderson University graduates the educational and experiential foundation they need to enter sustainable, purpose-driven careers, improving lives one community at a time.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.