Campus View of Alfred University

McMahon Engineering Building

Modern brick building with large windows and a prominent entrance sign reading "Inamori School of Engineering." Surrounding greenery and clear blue sky create a welcoming atmosphere.
Academic

273 State St, Alfred, NY 14802

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Home to the Inamori School of Engineering, is primary class space for ceramic engineering programs. McMahon hosts some of the most advanced technology on campus.

About This Facility

Built in 1952 and named in honor of John McMahon, this building is the historic and high-tech heart of ceramic engineering at Alfred University. From hands-on labs to world-class research spaces, McMahon supports both foundational learning and advanced experimentation.

As the primary classroom building for ceramic engineering, McMahon houses some of the most cutting-edge equipment on campus, preparing students for careers in materials science, glass science, electronics, sustainability, and beyond.

Exterior view of the McMahon Engineering Building at Alfred University during golden hour, with red brick walls, large windows, and a modern entrance labeled 'Inamori School of Engineering'.

High-Tech Labs & Equipment

Inside McMahon, you'll find:

  • Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)

  • Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopes (SEM & TEM)

  • Class 10,000 Clean Room – ideal for fabricating and studying electronic ceramics

  • Thermal & Mechanical Testing Labs – for materials analysis under extreme conditions

  • Advanced Kilns & Furnaces – including gas, electric, and high-temp models

  • Glaze & Raw Materials Labs – where students test, refine, and innovate on ceramic formulas

Alfred University student in a lab coat and safety goggles using a microscope in a research lab inside the McMahon Engineering Building

The "Mud Lab"

Three Alfred University students working with ceramic molds in a lab space, wearing safety goggles and purple 'Ceramics' shirts, inside the McMahon Engineering Building.

First-year ceramic engineers start their journey here — in a lab affectionately known as the Mud Lab. It’s where they mix clay bodies and glazes, shape test tiles and vessels, and learn the fundamentals of ceramic processing, from wet clay to fired finish.

“It’s where ceramic engineers get their hands (and clothes) dirty — and fall in love with the science behind the art.”

Also in McMahon:

  • Classrooms for materials science, ceramics, and engineering core courses

  • Faculty offices for the School of Engineering

  • Meeting and collaboration rooms for student research and group projects

  • Proximity to other key facilities like Binns-Merrill Hall and the Science Center

McMahon Engineering Building at Alfred University illuminated by sunset light, with trees in fall colors and a full rainbow arching across the sky above the campus

Directions

McMahon is located at the top of Pine St. Turn onto Pine St at the traffic light and continue to the top of the hill. Get Directions
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Facilities

McMahon is just the start. Check out other facilities that make Alfred University one of the most hands-on campuses in the country. See All Facilities
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