Donations keep Northwest automotive students rolling
by Nancy Patterson
2/15/05
Some college students may wonder if they will really like their chosen field when they enter the workforce. There is no guesswork for students enrolled in Northwest Mississippi Community College's automotive technology program thanks to donations from DaimerChrysler.
Northwest instructors David Yount and Tom Parrot recently accepted two new vehicles - a 2005 Chrysler 300C and a 2004 Dodge Durango - for the program. This allows students to do the same type of work they would be doing in a dealership.
The two most recent donations of vehicles bring to 15 the total number of automobiles that DaimlerChrysler has donated to the college since the cooperative partnership began in 2000. The DaimlerChrysler College Automotive Program (CAP) is a two-year associate degree curriculum that is designed to teach late-model Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicle technology. CAP students co-op with a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealership.
Other vehicles donated to the college are still in use for diagnostic purposes or have been redonated to other programs, according to Yount.
Sophomore Michael Johnson of Nashville has already checked out the latest technology. Johnson is a CAP student who is sponsored by Music City Dodge in Nashville. "I've read about the new StarScan diagnostic technology, but now I can see it first hand," he said.
DaimlerChrysler is currently shipping this portable automotive diagnostic tool to dealers and repair shops. The StarScan tool enables shops to work on 2004-model year and later Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles incorporating CAN (controller area network) buses.
"Our students get to go through these vehicles, get familiar with the manuals, learn new technology and perform the latest diagnostic tests," said Yount.
"Customers and technicians alike have much to gain from this donation," said Charles Irwin, DaimlerChrysler national manager of Vocational Education. "It provides further educational opportunities for technicians and helps offer DaimlerChrysler customers a positive ownership experience."
The Northwest automotive program got another boost in the form of a $7,900 grant from the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund. According to Yount and Parrot the funds will be used for improving storage and purchasing office equipment in the automotive shop area. This year, 32 students are enrolled in the program.
Graduates of the first of the program are awarded a Certificate of Automotive Technology, and those who complete the second year are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Electronics Technology.
"DaimerChrysler has been a wonderful partner for Northwest," said Jerry Nichols, dean of Career and Technical Education on the Senatobia campus. "Their financial support has had a direct impact on the quality of our automotive program. It is our goal to offer Chrysler and the students of our district the best possible training." |
Northwest Mississippi Community College students (l to r) Michael Johnson of Nashville, Joshua Martin of Memphis and Pete Webb of Senatobia take a look under the hood of a new Dodge Durango recently donated to the program. Photo by James Sorey
Northwest Mississippi Community College automotive technology instructors (l to r) David Yount and Tom Parrott accept the keys to two new vehicles—a 2005 chrysler 300C and a 2004 Dodge Durango—from Butch Baker with Ross Motors in Senatobia. The two automobiles provide training as part of the college's partnership with Daimler/Chrysler. (Chrysler_05.jpg) Photo by James Sorey
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