WVU Parkersburg receives $15,000 MentorLinks grant award

WVU Parkersburg selected for national MentorLinks program; awarded $15,000 grant.

CONTACT: Dave Thompson, chair of Technology Division, 304-424-8251.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is one of nine institutions selected to participate in a nationwide technology education project.

The college has been awarded $15,000 as part of the American Association of Community College's 2008-2010 "MentorLinks: Advancing Technological Education" program.

Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the program is designed to help colleges develop or strengthen technician training programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields through mentoring, professional development opportunities, and technical assistance.

WVU Parkersburg's project, "Environmental and Energy Technology Program Development" will be coordinated by Dave Thompson, chair of the college's Technology Division, and Allen Thacker, adjunct instructor. Serving as project mentor will be Roger Ebbage, director of Energy Programs, at Lane Community College's Northwest Energy Education Institute in Eugene, OR.

"The primary goal of our project is to create an innovative Environmental and Energy Technology program that attracts students and faculty and creates the foundation for an Energy Technology Center on the Parkersburg campus," noted Rhonda Richards, executive dean of academic affairs.

Project objectives will include developing renewable energies curricula and recruiting students; forming a regional energy industry advisory council; engaging energy industry workforce in training at the Caperton Center for Applied Technology; opening a faculty professional development institute at the Caperton Center, and designing a program laboratory.

Other institutions named as MentorLink Colleges included Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, KY; Clark State Community College in Springfield, OH; Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL; Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL; Mid Plans Community College in North Platte, NE; Neosho County Community College in Chanute, KS; Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, CO, and Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA.

cd10/20/08

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)

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