In 1985, renovations, costing approximately $4.5 million, were completed on the Dana Engineering Building. The roof of the building was raised and an entirely new third floor was constructed. The newly constructed third floor housed a Science Project la b; classrooms; computer terminal facilities; and administrative areas. Renovations were also made on the first and ground floors. Also dedicated at this time was the Gardner Lecture Hall named for Robert A. Gardner, Professor of Civil Engineering for 36, years who retired in 1975.

Bachelor of Science degees were offered in the College of Engineering in the areas of chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science and computer engineering. In 1985, 603 students were enrolled in the College. This enrollment was 18.8% of the University undergraduate student population. Of these 603 students, 144 (23.9%) were women.