OCTC Receives $96,120 Dart Foundation Grant for Educational Robots

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (03/07/2018) — The Dart Foundation will support OCTC's Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) students by providing $96,120 to purchase two educational robot packages for the new Industry Innovation Center.

Dr. Scott Williams, OCTC President commented, "We are grateful to the Dart Foundation for this donation and for their partnership. This is a perfect example of how these partnerships ultimately benefit our students and community. This is a perfect addition to the Industry Innovation Center."

This grant purchase will enable students to increase their awareness and understanding of the principles and operation of real industrial robots used in modern manufacturing applications. Students will gain hands-on experiences and learn effective use of modern robotic manufacturing systems found in today's manufacturing facilities.

Students will learn how industrial robots are programmed; the design and control principles of industrial robots and robot work cells; the hazards of robotic cells; and the health and safety and maintenance requirements.

"This grant is an investment in the program, but it is also an investment that will continue to pay dividends for years for our business and industry partners and for our students," added Mike Rodgers, Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

The mission of the Dart Foundation is to advance and encourage youth education, primarily in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Dart Foundation also supports projects that strengthen and improve the quality of life in numerous identified communities.

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Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.

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About the Dart Foundation - The Dart Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1984 by William A. and Claire T. Dart. Founded in Mason, Michigan, the Dart Foundation continues to be headquartered there. Because of this, the mid-Michigan area has long been a focal point of Dart Foundation philanthropy. In addition, grants are made in Sarasota, FL and the communities which serve as homes to Dart Container Corporation's production facilities and sales headquarters. A select number of national and international grants are proactively solicited as well. Visit: www.dartfoundation.org for more information.

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The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.

Connect with OCTC: Owensboro.kctcs | Facebook.com/owensboroctc | Twitter@OCTC_Tweets | Instagram OwensboroCTC | youtube.com/c/OwensboroCommunityTechnicalCollege

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