ARTC Officially Opens New Wing
November 19, 2024
Thirteen months after the groundbreaking event, Motlow State recently celebrated the official opening of the new wing for the Automation and Robotics Training Center (ARTC) in McMinnville. This new addition means both the expansion of Motlow State’s Mechatronics Program as well as the beginning of the Electric Vehicle Engineering Technology (EVET) Program. Both programs promise high-wage, successful opportunities for students and a workforce ready to drive innovation for surrounding industries.
President Michael Torrence opened the ceremony by stating that the expansion is an investment in the future Motlow State believes is possible. The EVET Program will keep students at the forefront of innovative industries and prepare them to participate in the technological development of the state of Tennessee. As McMinnville continues to be a center for industry growth, Motlow State continues to train students so that they can have successful careers close to home, reducing the need to commute or find jobs elsewhere.
Motlow College is one of the first in the state to implement an Associate of Applied Science Degree in EVET. ARTC Director Larry Flatt cited Chattanooga State Community College as a key partner in the development of Motlow’s Program as they have recently implemented their own program. He also stated that Nissan donated four electric vehicles and Tennessee Tech donated two vehicle charging stations to Motlow in order to better equip and prepare students as they train. All event attendees were issued challenge coins to serve as a reminder of the event and to encourage them to also partner with Motlow in spreading the word about what these programs can lead students to achieve.
Dr. Torrence thanked the following industry leaders for serving as guest speakers and offering their encouraging words during the event: Wendy Sneed, Executive Director of the Industrial Development Board; Rep. Michael Hale, State Representative of District 40; Jason Stanley, Senior Manager of Nissan North America; and Emilio Sanchez, Motlow Mechatronics graduate.
Additional Motlow faculty who spoke at the event include Dr. Tony Millican, Executive Vice President of Workforce and Community Development; Dr. Regina Verdin, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Director Flatt. Their leadership has proved vital to connecting with Motlow State’s service area and helping students to find their paths to success through programs like Mechatronics and EVET.
The Electric Vehicle Engineering Technology Program is slated to begin in the fall of 2025 and is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Visit Motlow.edu/mechatronics or Motlow.edu/ev to learn more about how these programs can jump start your career.