College News - Week of Jan. 23

President Hamann updated the college on the status of the bond initiative at his winter forum held Jan. 15. Due to state grant money tied to the project, the first initiative will be the expansion of the Advanced Transportation Technology Center in Lebanon to include the Heavy Equipment/Diesel Technology program. Plans are to break ground in June to start the first phase of the construction, with construction to be finished by the end of the 2015. The next project in line will be the new Health Occupations Center, to be built on the Samaritan Health campus in Lebanon, with construction to begin in the spring of 2016. This project also includes an $8 million state grant. The Benton Center project will begin with construction of the new parking garage, to be built in partnership with Samaritan Health. Once the parking structure is finished, work will begin on the new addition for instructional space at the center. On the Albany campus, Industrial buildings IA, IB and IC, along with Takena Hall, will be the final projects. After the Heavy Equipment/Diesel program moves to the ATTC, the IB building, along with the vacancy created by the Automotive program move from IA, will provide room to expand Machine Tool, Mechatronics and Welding programs on the Albany campus. Takena Hall renovations will include re-purposing space now occupied by the Nursing program, which will be moving to the new Health Occupations facility in Lebanon. The college also received a $1.5 million grant to use for seismic upgrade to Takena Hall.

Governor John Kitzhaber toured the Advanced Transportation Technology Center Wednesday, Jan. 21, getting a firsthand view of the new training facility for automotive students. Second-year students Jeff Pendleton and Nicholas Garber showcased a Benton County Sheriff’s vehicle, which the students helped to convert to run on propane, and various other alternative fuel vehicles that are used for training. “It’s a great example of taking the increased demand for jobs in a changing workplace and creating opportunities for students on career paths,” said Kitzhaber in a recent Democrat Herald news story.

Governor John Kitzhaber tours the ATTC in Lebanon Wednesday, Jan. 21.

At Wednesdays Board of Education meeting, board member Jim Merryman outlined an industry led request to the Albany City Council on Monday that would bring more than $2.9 million from Albany Economic Development Funds to LBCC to use for manufacturing training, education and equipment. The proposal grew out of a joint effort of Albany area businesses, Greater Albany Public Schools, Albany and Lebanon Chambers of Commerce and LBCC to provide a workforce of high-level technically skilled individuals to benefit local industry.

Renee McKitterick recently joined the Benton Center as lead ceramics faculty, replacing Jay Widmer who retired last summer. Originally from Ohio, Renee moved to Oregon from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she earned a Master’s of Fine Art in Studio Arts at the University of New Mexico. Renee has taught a variety of studio art classes at both the university and at Central New Mexico Community College. Welcome aboard, Renee!





Insider published by: LBCC Advancement Marketing Office
Writer/Editor: Lori Fluge-Brunker, Communications Specialist, College Advancement