The University of Texas at Tyler Celebrates LUC Celebrates Industrial Tech Lab

April 7, 2017

UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

The University of Texas at Tyler Longview University Center Celebrates New Industrial Technology Lab

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April 7, 2017

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler President Michael Tidwell met with Longview area business leaders to celebrate the new industrial technology laboratory at the Longview University Center, Dr. Van Patterson, Longview University Center director, announced.

The lab enhances industrial technology programming, which launched last spring.

"We are always looking for ways to enhance our industrial technology lab," Patterson said. "This week we added a FANUC CERT LR Mate 200 iD Robot that is affectionately called 'Nancy.' This robot was made possible through the generous support of the citizens of Longview who purchased tickets, or helped sponsor last year's University of Texas at Tyler LUC Garland Distinguished Lecture featuring Dr. Charles Krauthammer."

"Our main goal at the Longview University Center is to help students meet their personal and professional goals," said President Tidwell. "Through the work being done with our industrial technology program, we are helping students in the Longview area build successful careers by filling a need in the local workforce. We are proud of this program and glad that it is growing and meeting the needs of students."

The University of Texas at Tyler industrial technology program is one of only two programs accredited by the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering in Texas.

"No program in the State of Texas transfers more technical courses into a bachelor of science degree than the industrial technology program at The University of Texas at Tyler," said Dr. Mark Miller, The University of Texas at Tyler professor and Department of Technology chair. "As a result, graduates of technical programs offered at Kilgore College, Northeast Texas Community College and Texas State Technical College now have an option for furthering their education without having to start from scratch."

Support from the local business community for this new program is strong as demonstrated by Todd Anderson, president of STEMCO LP, who stated, "We expect that our nation will work hard to continue on a positive trend of economic growth. We look forward to participating in that process as we continue our strategic direction of strengthening our base, while expanding and growing.

"As part of STEMCO's 'dual bottom line' philosophy, where the growth and development of our employees is equal in importance to obtaining outstanding financial returns, we heavily depend upon highly skilled talent," he added. "This enables our business to best support our customers in 'Making the Roadways Safer' through the design, manufacture and supply of safe, high quality, premium products. We are excited to have access to a high caliber program like the industrial technology program that the UT Tyler Longview University Center has created. We look forward to both exploring employment opportunities for LUC program participants and pointing employees toward Van, Mark and their team for higher education and additional training opportunities."

Joe Bumgarner, strategic commodity manager for the Eastman Chemical Company and a graduate of The University of Texas at Tyler industrial technology program, added, "For more than half a century Longview has been home to industries like Joy Global and Eastman Chemical whose economic impact has been crucial to the growth and health of the community. The key to sustaining these industries and attracting new ones lies with maintaining a well-trained, professional workforce ready to assume the leadership roles of the future. My personal experience with the industrial technology program offered at UT Tyler leaves me no doubt it will help create the next generation of leaders within industry locally and abroad."

Located at 3201 North Eastman Road, The University of Texas at Tyler Longview University Center offers degree-completion opportunities in nursing, criminal justice and industrial technology to citizens of Longview and surrounding areas. For more information, call 903.663.8100 or visit uttyler.edu/luc.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, The University of Texas at Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at The University of Texas at Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 high-ability students. The University of Texas at Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.