July 23, 2010
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University has a long history of serving the educational needs of the community, region and state, and one such vehicle for that service is the CU Technology Training Center.
John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, who was responsible for getting the Tech Center established, said, “Since establishment of the TTC, a total of almost 10,300 people have received training through the varied programs of Campbellsville University’s Technology Training Center.”
And these individuals, who have received training at the center, are not included in the 20 consecutive semesters of record enrollment at CU.
Chowning said these training programs have been paid for by those receiving training and from federal and state grant programs, and plans are in process to expand the variety and number of training courses available.
The Tech Center was a response to the closure of the Fruit of the Loom plant in the late 1990s in Campbellsville. Although CU has always been dedicated to enhancing educational attainment in an underserved region of the state and nation, CU begin offering classes to several hundred displaced workers, most of whom completed associate and bachelor’s degrees within a few years.
“CU worked closely with local and state officials in the formation of a new economic development agency and helped prepare a strategic plan for community progress,” Chowning said. He said CU provided intellectual and spiritual leadership in a time of “challenge and fear when unemployment soared to nearly 30 percent.”
“In many ways, CU’s community service, coupled with close working partnerships with elected officials and civic leaders, helped facilitate the community’s economic recovery,” he said.
Working with local, state, and federal officials, Campbellsville University established the Technology Training Center to increase the number of skilled workers for technology driven occupations in the southern region of the state, make available specialized training as needed for area industry, provide continuing education opportunities for a variety of businesses and professions, offer a series of personal enrichment courses, and offer affordable training to businesses and industries in the region. The groundbreaking for the center was held in February 2000, and staff moved into the new building in the spring of 2002.
Training programs offered have included the following: Microsoft applications, COMPTIA A+, Metwork+, state registered nurse aid (SRNA), GED testing, VUE/Pearson Training, Prometric Testing, continuing education for electricians and contractors, Cisco training, various personal enrichment, Kids’ College (educational enrichment for elementary and middle school students), office technology, workforce essential skills, Microsoft certifications, electrical wiring, LEAN Manufacturing, Six Sigma, other health care certifications, hospitality industry training, etc.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 44 undergraduate programs, 16 master’s degrees and four postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.