Space to build and space to grow

Colin Chan

Most first-year engineering students will, at some point or another, find their way to the Elko Engineering Garage . 

“The Elko Garage is the first space that exposes people to a lot of power tools and fabrication machines like 3D printers,” says Colin Chan, a Faculty of Engineering student who received safety training at the garage in his first year. “It’s also readily available for students and clubs to fabricate their projects.”

In fact, the 6,000-square-foot makerspace is open to students across the university. It offers training, support and hands-on experience working with 3D printing, metalwork, textiles, electronics and more.

This unique and purpose-built space was made possible through the generous financial support of Ernie & Cathie Elko. And the impact of their gift on student success goes well beyond engineering students. In fact, more than 30 student groups use this space for projects that focus on design, entrepreneurship and social causes. The gift also ensures the ongoing operation of the Elko Engineering Garage and creates paid positions for engineering co-op students.

Student spaces are the unsung heroes of student success. Students learn better when they have access to the right tools, and can access safe and welcoming spaces to study, collaborate and experiment. And with U of A set to increase enrolment by more than 35 per cent by 2030, ensuring student spaces keep up with student growth is a priority.

Students like Chan require work spaces to implement their theoretical knowledge and address practical problems. Like the time in his second year when Chan and his classmates designed and built a robotic vehicle from scratch in the machine shop – hours of the drone of drills, sanders and saws the soundtrack to their semester. 

“It makes you feel like an engineer when you walk into the shop — like you’re in your field, like this is exactly where you belong,” says Chan, now a third-year student in mechanical engineering. “Taking what I’ve learned and seeing that work in real time and in the actual application — that’s the most exciting for me.” 

Chan’s university experience has been supported by donors in other ways. A Schulich Leader , Chan is the recipient of the Max Wyman Memorial Entrance Leadership Scholarship, created to honour president emeritus Wyman, and the Donald Lougheed Scholarship in Engineering, which was established by alumnus Lougheed to support students with superior academic achievement.

“To go to school without that financial burden … to have that completely off your mind and just be able to focus on school — that’s a huge blessing,” he says, adding that the scholarships helped alleviate stress for his entire family after his mom lost her job during the pandemic.

Ultimately, donor support — whether for scholarships or spaces — not only uplifts students but also helps improve entire fields of study, says Chan.

“In a way, there’s an automatic reciprocation of that donation. You’re not just funding students, you’re funding the future of our society.”