OPENING CELEBRATED FOR ALAMO COLLEGES—ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE DIESEL TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND LAB

$4.7 million facility offers San Antonio’s most advanced Diesel machinery maintenance training

SAN ANTONIO (April 17, 2009) --- The most advanced Diesel and heavy machinery maintenance training facility for students and corporations in the San Antonio area opened in a dedication and ribbon–cutting ceremony April 16 at the Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus.

The name of the $4.7 million academic facility that includes two buildings is Diesel Technology Center and Lab. Two-hundred visitors toured the 20,000–square–foot center and lab that includes 10 instructional Diesel technology bays. The facilities were funded as part of a $450 million bond package approved by voters in November 2005. Both the Center and Lab will also serve as a regional training center for Diesel technicians from such firms as Cummins, HOLT CAT, and Romco Equipment Company, a Volvo distributor based in San Antonio.

“You are standing in the crown jewel of our Diesel program,” St. Philip’s College President Dr. Adena Williams Loston told the dedication audience. “These new academic facilities will transform lives and communities,” Dr. Loston said. “The investment provides high-tech training in preparation for high-paying jobs,” said Dr. Loston. “Rudolf Diesel patented his Diesel engine in 1898, the year our college was founded,” Dr. Loston said. “Someday one of our students’ names could be associated with a new engine, or a truck made by a company they will own,” said Dr. Loston.

“There are opportunities for us in San Antonio if we are prepared,” Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees Chairman Denver McClendon said as he acknowledged the generous quantities of new Diesel equipment donated by industry to transform the college’s Diesel program. “Industry is anticipating a well-trained workforce that they can employ,” said McClendon.

“We’re partial to the people who make planes, trucks and trains work,” said Port San Antonio President and CEO Bruce E. Miller. “The students at St. Philip’s College are critical partners in what happens to our companies,” Miller said. “We’re the largest heavy industry zone in San Antonio, the St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus is on our land, and we’re committed to providing additional land so this campus can grow,” said Miller.

“As one of the world’s largest Diesel engine manufacturers, we’re excited to see a concrete starting point for tomorrow’s Diesel technicians,” ceremony guest and Volvo Construction Equipment of North America, Inc., Regional Customer Support Manager Shea Davis said while touring and photographing the facility. “St. Philip’s College offers tomorrow’s technicians a bright start to a bright future,” said Davis.

“As a retired engineer from the Panama Canal Commission, this facility truly impresses me,” said St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Rector Rev. Anthony Regist. “Ninety-five percent of goods moved throughout the world move by diesel power,” Regist said. “Diesel technology is a very advanced technology that requires educated people,” said Regist.

“St. Philip’s College is the best of the three diesel programs I’ve attended in Texas,” said Diesel technology student and student speaker Trace Whites. “There are so many of us getting our money’s worth by studying here,” said Whites.

“I don’t mind the two-hour bus ride to class, when I can practically see my future falling into place before me,” Diesel technology student Brian Tibbets said as the ceremony wound down. “I’ve talked to my manager at Walmart to see if I can get transferred to the Walmart in New Braunfels, where Walmart has a lot of Diesel trucks,” said Tibbets. “I’m just grateful I chose to come here and advance my life,” Tibbets said. (Courtesy Images; Renderings courtesy Saldana & Associates/Pfluger Associates Architects)Image 1 | Image 2 | Image 3 | Image 4

Caption: Cindy Taylor, Trace Whites, Bruce Miller, Denver McClendon, Dr. Adena Williams Loston, Roberto Zárate, Jackie Gorman-Johnson; and Lynn McKinnie prepare to cut the ribbon during the dedication ceremony for the Diesel Technology Building and Lab at the Alamo Colleges --- St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus. Taylor is South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce President. White is a student at the college. Miller is CEO and President of Prot San Antonio. McClendon is Chairman, Alamo Community College District Board of Trustees. Loston is St. Philip’s College President. Zarate is the Alamo Community College District Board of Trustee for District 5. Gorman-Johnson is an Alamo City Chamber of Commerce Board Member. McKinnie is the chairman of the college’s Diesel Advisory Board. Image 5

Websites related to this story include:

1)Alamo Colleges-St. Philip’s College; 2) Alamo Colleges; 3) Port San Antonio; 4) Cummins; 5) HOLT CAT; 6) Volvo Construction Equipment of North America; 7) Romco Equipment Company; and 8) Walmart.

About St. Philip’s: Bishop James Steptoe Johnston of the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of the West Texas Diocese founded Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College in 1898. Today, Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is a multi-campus institution of the Alamo Colleges and serves a semester enrollment of nearly 10,000 credit and more than 6,000 continuing education students. Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s is a Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution and is the only college in the nation that carries this dual designation. As “A Point of Pride in the Community,” Alamo Colleges—St. Philip’s College is among the oldest and most diverse community colleges in the United States.