To accommodate a mechanical engineering class that more than doubled in size, the university renovated Hyland Hall and installed new engineering equipment.
SCRANTON, Pa. — What started with just eight students in 2020 has grown into a much larger program at the University of Scranton.
This year, 26 students joined the Mechanical Engineering Program. Department of Physics & Engineering assistant professor Majib Saei says this prompted the university to expand its mechanical engineering facilities.
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“It was during the fall of 2025 that we realized, just because of the number of students and the number of projects that we are going through, that we’re kind of being a little bit packed together,” Professor Saei said.
The newly renovated fourth floor of Hyland Hall now includes two new student design and research spaces for mechanical engineering students. Downstairs, students also have access to a new workspace equipped with advanced engineering technology. One of the new pieces of equipment is a plastic injection molding machine.
Ryan Nigro is a Mechanical Engineering Program senior. “What this machine does is it uses a clamping force and high temperatures and high pressures to inject molten plastic into a cavity of your choice, and you can create plastic parts with it. That’s how most plastic parts are made,” he said.
Most of the projects completed here, like this manual wheelchair turned motorized, are for local non-profits or organizationsÂ
Nigro, has already used the new workspace and equipment to create his own motorized bicycle. “With rising gas prices, I was tired of putting $4 in the big Honda Pilot, so I made this rig. It goes 30, 35 miles per hour no problem, and it gets 150 miles per gallon,” Nigro said.
Directors of the program say these new spaces and equipment will allow the program to partner with more local organizations and companies to create new innovative projects.