Ivy Tech dedicates Perkins Technology Center

Clark County

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Lonnie Lewellen, Dean of Ivy Tech School of Technology, leads a tour of the newly dedicated Perkins Technology Center Tuesday morning. Staff photo by C.E. Branham

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October 24, 2012

Ivy Tech dedicates Perkins Technology Center

HVAC, other programs to benefit from new space

By JEROD CLAPP jerod.clapp@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Wed Oct 24, 2012, 08:08 AM EDT

JEFFERSONVILLE — After being away for several years, Ivy Tech Community College has a permanent place to call home in Jeffersonville again.

Officials from the college dedicated the Perkins Technology Center, in the former Amatrol building off Hamburg Pike, on Tuesday. Andrew Takami, executive director of resource development, said the property had been leased by the college for several years, but was offered by Amatrol, Inc. at a deeply discounted price.

The 46,000 square foot facility will house the college’s industrial Technology, Ivy Institute, HVAC and Mechatronics and Massage Therapy programs.

Paul Perkins, president of Amatrol, Inc., said giving back to a local college plays a role in growing companies in Southern Indiana.

“Our company manufactures industrial equipment for technology training in community colleges, so the internal design [of the building] was well-supported for the kinds of labs they would use,” Perkins said. “I think that our success as a company is greatly affected by the quality of the workforce here.”

Amatrol also donated some of the equipment in the facility. Rita Shourds, chancellor, said the facility and its technology will help prepare more students for jobs.

“It makes a huge impact for the employers here with a workforce that’s ready with the highly technical skills it demands,” Shourds said.

Shourds said though the college continues to grow, there’s still more on the horizon for Ivy Tech. She said through the generosity of donors, Ivy Tech will keep expanding.

“It’s never finished for us on our campus,” Shourds said. “We’re just so fortunate that they stepped forward and said ‘We want to make a difference.’”