Ivy Tech Southwest Details New Labs
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA newly-renovated welding lab is now open at the Ivy Tech Community College campus in Tell City. The facility has undergone $110,000 in renovations. The school has also announced plans to add a $250,000 science lab, which is slated to be complete next spring. July 30, 2014
News Release
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College Southwest unveiled a newly renovated state-of-the-art welding lab at its Tell City campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, August 29th at 5:30 p.m. Tell City Mayor, Barbara Ewing, and other community leaders were on site to celebrate the lab opening.
“Providing a skilled workforce that meets the needs of local employers is a key part of our mission,” said Ivy Tech Chancellor, Jonathan Weinzapfel. “We are continually working with employers to understand their needs, and skilled welders are definitely in high demand.”
The new welding lab features 16 welding stations with cutting-edge equipment, including 34 new welders and two plasma cutting machines. Two of the new welders also include wireless remote foot controls. The original lab, which opened in the 1980s, was completely emptied, cleaned, and painted as part of the renovation. New safety features were also added to the lab. The cost of the renovation was $110,000, and all services were provided by Perry County contractors.
The welding lab will used by Ivy Tech students, as well as students from local high schools who are enrolled in Ivy Tech dual credit welding courses.
In a show of support for Ivy Tech Community College, the Tell City Economic Development Commission, led by Tell City Mayor, Barbara Ewing, voted recently to reduce Ivy Tech's Tell City campus lease to one dollar per year. The new lease will begin in January 2015 and will provide significant savings to the College. In addition, the city will take care of all exterior maintenance, such as snow removal and mowing, beginning in January.
“It would not be possible for us to continue providing educational opportunities, such as this top-of-the-line lab, without community partnerships,” said Ivy Tech Chancellor, Jonathan Weinzapfel. “Tell City has been a great partner to Ivy Tech, and because of their support we can continue to meet the training needs of local students and employers.”
Ivy Tech also plans to add a new science lab at the Tell City campus. The renovations to add the lab will cost approximately $250,000, and construction is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2015. The new lab will house general science classes as well as the popular Anatomy and Physiology courses. Ivy Tech officials are currently meeting with an architect to finalize plans for the remodel and will begin accepting bids in August. A portion of the lab equipment costs will be covered by a grant, and the remainder will be paid by Ivy Tech.
“This is a very exciting time for the residents of Tell City and the surrounding community,” said Tell City Campus Director, Sherri Flynn. “Both of these labs will offer many new opportunities for our students.”
Ivy Tech Community College is the state's largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest single-accredited statewide community college system with more than 200,000 students enrolled annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
Source: Ivy Tech Community College