Tech Talk: Technology Center is here
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To the men and women who are enrolled in its programs, TTC is a school or training facility. To the 27 men and women who are employed there, it is a good place to earn a living while contributing to the economic development of Warren and surrounding counties. To the business and industrial community, TTC is a provider of skilled workers. But to many in the community, it is still an enigma.
“You mean the vo-tech school?” Yes, the Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville was christened as the McMinnville State Area Vocational-Technical School in 1966. We continue to operate from the same campus, in buildings behind River Park Hospital just off Sparta Highway.
But the name has changed with the mission and the times. TTC is a little more ambitious and a lot more high tech than in earlier times. Our students deserve more, and the economy demands more.
“Oh, you’re talking about Tech.” No, we are not Tennessee Technological University. TTC is not a four-year institution offering bachelor’s degrees, with the main campus in Cookeville. Neither can we convey master’s degrees or doctorates.
But Tennessee Tech can meet these needs, and they operate B.S. and M.S. programs from our campus. And yes, TTC does get TTU phone calls, as well as a few students interested in pre-med programs. We steer them in the right direction.
“Are you sure you don’t mean Motlow?” Motlow State Community College also operates from our campus, although mainly from a separate building. The Learning Resources Center that Motlow shares with TTC is in a TTC building. Motlow provides two-year, associate degrees. Its main campus is in Moore County, near Tullahoma.
“Well, what really does the TTC do?” Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville provides instruction in four “shop” programs, including automotive technology, electronics technology, industrial maintenance and machine tool technology. We offer programs in computer maintenance and business systems technology.
We also operate an allied health department that includes programs in medical office assistant, practical nursing and surgical technology.
One of 26 technology centers in the state, TTC at McMinnville not only services Warren but Cannon, Coffee, DeKalb, Grundy, Van Buren and White counties. Our mission statement captures the essence of the TTC:
“The mission of the Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville is to respond to the economic needs of the institution’s service area with relevant workforce development training programs that are technologically advanced and are inherently designed to contribute to the student’s intellectual and social development.”
We enjoy a high placement rate – currently 88 percent of our graduates find jobs in their program areas. Teamwork can take the credit. Our advisory committees ensure our programs remain up to date with the needs of business and industry.
Instructors use former students and contacts as sources for jobs openings. Student services and the administration as a whole maintain contact with the community and pass on news of employer needs. The final team member is the student, who must do his or her part for the placement team to succeed.
Perhaps the best way to learn about the TTC is to know the people who are the school. Dr. Abraham Pallas is the director. Marvin Lusk is assistant director. And I am the coordinator of student services.
Other staff members are Donna Thompson, executive secretary; Peggy Layman, coordinator of financial services; Carolyn Borum, financial aid assistant; Diana Fults, secretary; and Patricia Eggert, coordinator of student information management system.
Faculty members are Debra Akers, computer maintenance; Robert Bogard, automotive technology; Leslie Bouldin, practical nursing; Sharon Cope, practical nursing; Kirstie Dixon, practical nursing; Kenny Dunn, machine tool technology; Gary Gunnels, electronics technology; Ron Jennings, industrial maintenance; Charlotte McGregor, business systems technology; Patricia Merlo, surgical technology; Anita Parker, technology foundations; Wildred Vidrine, business systems technology; and Deborah Womack, medical office assistant.
Trudy Kettenbach oversees the nursing program, as well as those at the technology centers in Murfreesboro and Shelbyville. Katrina Haley (computer software) and Charles Hutchison (welding) are on the part-time teaching staff. Current teaching assistants are Carol Hendrixson, computer maintenance; and Tina Martin, medical office assistant. Greg Whitaker performs maintenance.
In coming columns we will take a closer look at the people, programs and value of the TTC. If you need more information in the meantime, call me at 474-TECH.