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Paducah Engineering Innovation Center is Unveiled to the Paducah Community

November 11, 2022

The University of Kentucky College of Engineering Paducah Campus celebrated the grand opening of the Paducah Engineering Innovation Center (PEIC) on October 27.

The new PEIC makerspace gives students access to high-quality manufacturing equipment, such as Tormach Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) mills and lathes, 3D printers, latex printers, a CNC plasma cutter.

“This new Engineering Innovation Center will transform the engineering education that our students receive,” said Y. Charles Lu, director of the UK College of Engineering Paducah campus. “Students can now come here to build products they design on paper. The experiences of being hands-on and doing practical things will make our students great engineers!”

The event was attended by county and city government officials, area superintendents, friends from Lexington, West Kentucky Community and Technical College leadership, economic development representations, and community members at large. 

A Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization (PACRO) representative commented on how the UK College of Engineering’s Paducah Campus has played a vital role in preparing high-quality engineers for local manufacturers. “Not only will this project help hundreds of students achieve their career goals, but it will also benefit our local industries by providing a well-educated and motivated workforce. PACRO is both excited and pleased to be supporting this project.” 

“The PEIC makerspace was funded entirely by generous donors from this wonderful community,” said Lu. “Their passion for engineering education made this Center a reality!”

John A. Williams, Kenneth Wheeler Family, Genie and Basil Drossos, Tom Decillis, Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization, Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership LCC and the Lubrizol Foundation made PEIC a reality.

“We are thrilled to help make the UK Paducah Engineering Innovation Center a reality. It will greatly enhance the ‘hands-on’ component of the engineering education that our students receive,” said Genie and Basil Drossos. “As they join the workforce and their careers progress, they will clearly demonstrate the value of this experience.”

Following the event, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business Education Partnership on the UK Paducah Campus. This event celebrated the impact the UK College of Engineering has had on the community. During the program, students highlighted their achievements and community members toured our new makerspace. Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership sponsored this event.