In 1921, a member of the Geneva College Board of Trustees wrote a report to the Reformed Presbyterian Synod that included the news that an engineering program had been introduced. The report read, “Geneva is located in the heart of a great manufacturing center and therefore has a special opportunity to meet the particular demands of such a community.”

One hundred years later, the Geneva College engineering program offers concentrations in biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, interdisciplinary, and mechanical engineering. Geneva engineering is fully accredited, ranks in the Top 100 Undergraduate Engineering Programs in the U.S. by peer assessment of U.S. News & World Report, and enjoys 100 percent job placement for graduates.

The 100-year history of Geneva engineering is a testament to the blessing of God through generations, growth and adaption to the needs of the nation, and the application of Christian principles and a kingdom mindset to a technological, scientific field of study and work. The following is a brief overview of how the Lord has blessed Geneva’s engineering program over the past 100 years. It is also a reflection on the importance of the program as it relates to Geneva’s motto Pro Christo et Patria, For Christ and Country.

Geneva College started its two-year engineering program in the academic year 1920-1921, adding third-year courses in 1926. The 1940s saw the development of a detailed 3+2 program, meaning a student could spend three years at Geneva and then transfer to Carnegie Institute of Technology or the University of Pittsburgh. In 1947 Geneva offered its first four-year degree in engineering—the bachelor of science in industrial engineering—and graduated the first student to complete the full program. Many returning World War II veterans entered the program, and the college saw 39 grads in 1949.

In the 1950s, Geneva officially offered a general engineering program, steadily increasing the total number of credit hours available and expanding the program to the point that, in 1959, 23 percent of all bachelor’s degrees conferred at Geneva were for engineering.

In 1965, the original Science Hall (built from 1897–1913) was renovated and expanded into a structure four times its size, creating the building now known as S&E (short for Science and Engineering). Expanded space enabled enhanced academic offerings, such as a new course in computer programming in 1967 to teach FORTRAN on a 16-bit computer.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the nation saw an increase in engineering and particularly electronics and computer-related education, and Geneva saw spectacular growth in enrollment in these programs. In 1987, Geneva awarded a record 75 engineering degrees.

In the early 80s, engineering enrollment reached a peak of over 300 students. However, the steel industry that supported much of western Pennsylvania’s economy began to falter, many people lost their jobs, and the population of Beaver County began to decline. With fewer high school graduates in the area and fewer applications coming in, Geneva undertook an evaluation of the engineering program in 1989-1990, overhauling the available majors, hiring new personnel, and seeking accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

By 1995, they achieved the major milestone of full accreditation. In the early 2000s, they began large renovation projects on S&E and construction of the Rapp Technical Design Center, expanding engineering lab space by more than 50 percent. Enrollment began steadily increasing, and, in 2005, a concentration in computer engineering was added, followed by an environmental engineering concentration in 2010. After the turn of the millennium, the department saw God’s blessing in the form of steadily increasing enrollment.

In June 2013, the Society of Women Engineers chartered a Geneva College chapter, and in 2014 the college added a biomedical engineering concentration. By 2016, it once again surpassed 300 engineering majors.

This is by no means a complete history, and it should be noted that there were a great many people who have served and influenced the program at Geneva as it evolved over the past century—too many to mention here. God has used the influence of many talented individuals to shape and grow Geneva’s engineering programs through the years. As the needs of the community and country changed, Geneva engineering has grown to train workers who are well-equipped to serve.

Alongside academic excellence and accolades, Geneva engineering stands out because it is a mission-focused program in a missional institution. Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. The engineers that leave the program are instilled with a missional attitude toward their work.

Dave Schisler, a 1990 graduate and elder in Columbus, Ind., RPC, remembers, “God challenged me at Geneva—academically, athletically, socially, and spiritually. Through my experiences at Geneva, the Holy Spirit taught me that my spiritual walk is not a separate area of my life. Rather, my spiritual life is integrated throughout every aspect of my life—whether I was in the Science and Engineering building, in Metheny Fieldhouse, in the Brig, or anywhere else. Wherever I am, whatever I do, I am to bring glory to God.”

He continues, “My engineering professors modeled God’s calling on their lives by performing their responsibilities faithfully. They were well prepared, knowledgeable about the subject matter, and able to articulate it clearly. They cared about students—answering questions, willing to listen, but not lowering the standard.”

Dave reflects that God’s call on his life is to work hard and honestly. For over 30 years, he has worked as an engineer at Cummins, Inc., and is now a Master Black Belt–Central Quality for the company.

“[God] calls me to develop the talents He has entrusted to me and to attribute credit to others for their hard work. Customers of our products and services should derive real value from their purchases. By enabling our customers to run their businesses profitably, they’ll return to purchase more of our products and services. For example, our electronic service tools should guide technicians to the faulty component efficiently, so that technicians can make the necessary repair with confidence. And customers can then return to operation quickly and provide value to their customers.”

Jonathan Campbell, a 2016 Geneva engineering graduate and member of Grace (Gibsonia, Pa.) RPC, also thinks with a mission focus about the work of his hands.

“Geneva taught me that no matter where I am placed in life, I have a responsibility to use my time and skills to maintain and grow God’s kingdom,” he says. “I believe that God calls us to use our gifts and talents to serve others and create order in this world. My career in healthcare software allows me to build systems that have a clear and positive impact on people’s lives.”

Jonathan also considers the attitude and approach he takes to his labor to be a witness for Christ. “Our jobs are a means to show others through our actions that work is a good and God-given part of our lives. In my job, I have the opportunity to not only witness for Christ with my coworkers, but also to help people through the software that we create in our company.”

Engineers solve problems, develop products, and streamline systems. Sam Spear, a 1991 graduate and an elder in North Hills (Pittsburgh, Pa.) RPC, says they deal in grace as well. Since 1994, he has worked for GAI Consultants, Inc., as a civil engineer focused on bridges, culverts, tunnels, and walls, mostly in western Pennsylvania.

“As a bridge engineer, my calling is in facilitating the common grace of ease of travel to motorists in the states I serve. You may have prayed for ‘traveling mercies’ for upcoming trips. My work is a small part of God’s work in answering those prayers.

“My work is kingdom work in one sense—that where Christ comes, the way is made easy and barriers are broken down. We see in Revelation 22 that the Tree of Life is in reach, no matter which side of the river you are on.”

Sam points to how the development of highways and pathways is used as a symbol or description of God’s work in many parts of Scripture (see Isa. 11:16; 35:8-10; 40:3-4; Mark 1:2-4; John 14:6).

These examples of kingdom perspectives on engineering are consistent with the efforts that faculty members and administration have taken to keep Geneva engineering mission focused.

Just as Geneva looked to meet the needs of the local community in 1921, Geneva’s engineering program continues to challenge students to engage with a perspective focused on serving God and serving others. Each instance of growth and every additional field of study has meant more opportunities for students to labor for Christ and country.

Parts of this article have been adapted for the Witness from the article “100 Years of Engineering at Geneva College” by Abby Forton (class of ’22) and Dan Dieter in the winter 2020 edition of Geneva Magazine.

Caleb McCracken is the content, communication and social media coordinator for Geneva College. He graduated from Geneva in 2016 with a degree in communication. He and his wife, Katie, live in Beaver Falls, Pa., and are members of College Hill RPC.