VGCC receives $31M in-kind grant from Siemens PLM Software (The Daily Dispatch, June 22, 2017)
By Rachael Riley
The Daily Dispatch, Henderson, NC
June 22, 2017
Vance-Granville Community College is receiving a $31 million in-kind academic grant from Siemens PLM Software, the largest the college has ever received, VGCC President Stelfanie Williams announced Thursday at VGCC’s South Campus.
“This $31 million gift represents the highest-valued single donation in the history of our college,” Williams said.
The grant provides Tecnomatix manufacturing software that will allow students to use the same technology in the classroom that is used by more than 140,000 companies worldwide.
“Our students will gain important real-world experiences during the studies that will serve them well after graduation,” Williams said. “In turn, our local industries will have access to well-trained workers with the technical skills needed for successful careers in today’s advanced manufacturing environment.”
Students will be able to use Siemens Product Lifecycle Management software in coursework academic research and academic products, said Siemens representative Ryan Theeck.
“We are empowering students with the tools and training they need to succeed as software rapidly transforms manufacturing — turning it into one of the most sophisticated highly skilled innovative businesses in the world,” Theeck said of the public-private partnership with the college.
About three years ago, the college’s south campus started the mechatronics, engineering and technology program for “high-quality” training, said Danny Wright, VGCC Board of Trustees chairman.
“We continue to build upon the rich tradition of molding economic development by providing enhanced opportunities for education and training to all the communities we serve in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren Counties and beyond,” Wright said. “What we begin here today will have a far-reaching effect throughout this region.”
Williams said Thursday’s announcement comes on top of previous in-kind donations from Siemens, including Solid Edge software worth $100,000.
Both software packages are key instructional tools for mechatronics engineering and technology students, she said.
When looking for manufacturing solutions to teach students about how manufacturing operations work on the inside, the college found Siemens to partner with through its Tecnomatix software, said Keith Shearon, department chair of applied technologies.
Tecnomatix allows students to simulate a manufacturing line and simulate changes to avoid errors in manufacturing or layout designs, Shearon said.
Solid Edge allows students to visualize and design new products, he said.
It allowed students to design components used in an electric race car recently raced on the the Indianapolis Motor Speedway , Shearon said.
Williams said the college is on the brink of innovative programs and must continue to build strong programs and facilities to support growth and strategic economic and workforce development.
“It’s $31 million today, but it’s all about the future,” she said.
James “Jimmie” Williamson, president of the N.C. Community College system , thanked Siemens on behalf of the 58 community colleges in the state and congratulated VGCC.
“We can’t do it without public-private partnerships,” Williamson said.
As leaders in high education, Williamson, the focus is what happens in the next 20 to 30 years. “I know that by introducing students to this technology we will get there, and Vance-Granville will be leaders as we begin to look at the number of instructional modules and things that come out of this, and that this will be really a beacon for our system,” he said.
Reprinted with permission of The Daily Dispatch.
