Another has a canvas sling seat. The third has a cushioned back rest and seat. Students are building the benches entirely on their own, but welding and sawing isn't the only labor involved. Some students are sewing the canvas seats with a 1910 Singer sewing machine. They have not been afraid to learn new things.
Students involved believe the money spent was a good investment for the entire department.
When the engineering college built Engineering Complex III, connecting two existing buildings, various hallways were closed off, creating several lobby areas. The benches will fill some of the open space and provide places for students to rest between classes. In the past, students enrolled in the class have built over 200 lab chairs for use in the new engineering classrooms. Hyde plans for this class to make other items needed around the school and community in future semesters. Hyde also credited George Alexander, engineering technology department head, for his support of these types of innovative programs.