Services & Solutions for Successful Equipment & Hardware Retailers!

Industry Partner Makes Donation to

OSU-Okmulgee Training Program

Today’s Date: June 14, 2006

Event Location: OSU-Okmulgee campus

1801 East 4^th Street, Okmulgee, OK

Event Date and Time:  Occurred recently

 

(Okmulgee) – Using technology to teach technology — that was the inspiration behind a recent gift to the new SouthWestern Association Industrial and Farm Equipment Technician Training Program at Oklahoma State University in Okmulgee, OK.  The donor, a company that describes itself as a full service employee benefits and retirement planning firm, Tax Favored Benefits, Inc. (TFBI), presented an interactive whiteboard and projector to the program. The SWA Program is a cooperative two-year college level student technician education program that leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree with a major in Industrial and Farm Equipment Technology.

 

David Wentz, Chief Executive Officer of Tax Favored Benefits Inc., visited the campus to make the donation and explained his company’s interest in the technician education program. “We help 200 farm equipment dealerships throughout the United States, and every time we visit with a dealer, we are told about their concern regarding the number of technicians needed to help their businesses thrive. This program addresses that concern and we wanted to do something aside from our normal services to help them and the program be successful.”

 

“Industry has been remarkably helpful with this program,” said David Martin, instructor in the OSU-Okmulgee program. “We probably have one of the best advisory boards at the University. We had more than 25 business people here at our advisory meetings to give us insight on what is needed, what we can do to serve their needs and what they would be willing to do to help.”

 

Martin says that the students currently in the program are from four different states including Kansas, Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. He hopes to have at least 20 students each year in order to meet the continuing industry demand for new technicians.

 

The new technology is called a SMART Board and is described by the manufacturer as the “world’s leading interactive whiteboard.”  By touching the large display, users can access and control computer applications or multimedia platforms, including the Internet, CDs and DVDs.  Martin says it allows him to do things in a classroom that simply cannot be done with older projector screens and a separate whiteboard. “I am able to draw over pictures and diagrams,” Martin explains. “With a regular whiteboard I had to turn the projector off, slide the screen aside, and then draw any illustrations or diagrams. This new technology allows me to create instant visuals for a quicker understanding. And, the board lets me save the information and print it for hand-outs. It allows me to deliver a greater amount of information in a shorter amount of time.”

 

The SouthWestern Association program at OSU-Okmulgee provides technical education on agricultural and industrial equipment and components and includes the latest developments in: Engine Repair; Hydraulic Systems; Electrical and Electronic Systems; Test Procedures and Diagnostic Tools.  According to Division Chair Steve Doede, since the program is dealer-driven, manufacturers and service providers associated with the program now see the real interest that dealers have. “They are coming on board with tools, equipment and training aids.  It’s a winning situation for everyone! We certainly appreciate the donation by Tax Favored Benefits Inc. and look forward to creating with them our own version of TFBI – Technology For Better Instruction.”

 

Oklahoma State University - Okmulgee is known for its hands-on technical education, world-class equipment and active partnerships with industry.  Degree programs are developed according to emerging educational and labor market needs.  Seventeen programs of study lead to Associate in Applied Science degrees, three programs of study lead to Associate in Science transfer degrees, and three programs lead to Bachelor of Technology degrees - Information Assurance and Forensics, Instrumentation Engineering Technology and Civil Engineering Technology.  Through frequent advisory board meetings, corporate partners make significant contributions to curriculum, faculty improvement, equipment acquisition, internship experiences for students and employment opportunities for graduates.  OSU-Okmulgee also promotes economic development among small Oklahoma firms by providing training and assistance with technology deployment, financing, bidding and purchasing procedures.

 

For more information call 918.293.4678 or 1.800.722.4471.  Information also is available online at www.osu-okmulgee.edu.

 

 

Sitting - left:  R. David Wentz, CEO, Tax Favored Benefits Inc.  Sitting – right: Jeff Flora, CEO, SouthWestern Association.  Standing, left to right: Mike McCrate, owner of Tulsa New Holland; Tag Webb, Regional Manager of SouthWestern Association; David Martin, OSU-Okmulgee SouthWestern Program faculty; Roy Achemire, Program Chair, OSU-Okmulgee’s Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Institute. 

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