Purdue to offer 4-year degrees, build technology park at New Albany

Jane and John Shine
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The 30,000- to 40,000-square-foot Purdue Technology Center of New Albany will be constructed at the southeast corner of I-265 and Charlestown Road. The Shine family, founders and owners of Samtec Inc., an electronic interconnect manufacturer, donated the land to the Purdue Research Foundation.

Purdue President Martin C. Jischke said the Shines' donation will result in more educational opportunities and more jobs for southern Indiana.

"Purdue and IU Southeast will serve as key partners in education and economic development," Jischke said. "The Purdue Technology Center will be the place to nurture new high-tech businesses and the minds behind them."

Construction is anticipated to begin this summer so that the center can accommodate new businesses and classes by the fall of 2008.

John Shine, Samtec Inc. president, said, "I am pleased to see the land utilized for higher education and high-end economic development. I can think of no better way to accomplish those goals and support the region than through the Purdue Technology Center."

The center will contain 18,000 square feet of business incubator offices, an economic development office and an office for Purdue's Technical Assistance Program, which connects companies with Purdue resources and assists them in implementing state-of-the art technologies. As they grow, the companies will have an opportunity to move into the adjacent technology park.

"The Purdue Technology Center will be modeled after Purdue's technology center in Merrillville, which, in turn, is based on our nationally recognized university research park in West Lafayette," said Joseph Hornett, Purdue Research Foundation senior vice president, treasurer and COO. "Its office incubator facilities will foster unprecedented growth of high-tech business ventures and high-paying jobs in southern Indiana."

Purdue's College of Technology will use the remaining space — about 12,000 square feet — for classrooms, labs and faculty offices. Together with 7,600 square feet at its existing New Albany campus at Indiana University Southeast, the total space supports the college's plan to expand its offerings, create three new bachelor's degree programs and implement a fourth bachelor's degree program that was approved earlier. Including current programs, the college will offer:

• Bachelor's and associate's degrees in computer graphics technology, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, and organizational leadership and supervision.

• A bachelor's degree in industrial technology.

• Courses requested by industry through which students earn specialized certificates.

• A limited number of courses in aviation administration technology.

Michael O'Hair, associate dean of statewide technology and engagement, said expanding the College of Technology degree offerings fits well with Purdue's strategic plan.

"Companies consistently tell me they have a strong need for graduates with up-to-date technological skills," O'Hair said. "This center will provide students with the education and hands-on experience necessary to become the technologically savvy leaders Indiana companies eagerly seek."

O'Hair said students at the center and IU Southeast who live in Jefferson, Oldham or Bullitt counties in Kentucky will pay the same tuition as students from Indiana. The arrangement is part of a reciprocity agreement between Indiana and Kentucky universities for students living in counties contiguous to their state borders.

Victor L. Lechtenberg, Purdue vice provost for engagement, said the Purdue Technology Center of New Albany is another example of how institutions of higher education and government can work together to build a new economy.

"New Albany Mayor James Garner and Jeffersonville Mayor Rob Waiz have been instrumental in launching this project," Lechtenberg said. "With technology transfer support from IU Southeast and Purdue, along with the park's location close to Louisville, companies should find the technology park an attractive location to nurture their businesses. Once those businesses grow, they can then look right in their back yard for their high-tech work force."

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Sources: Martin C. Jischke, (765) 494-9708

Joseph Hornett, (765) 494-8645, jbhornett@purdue.edu

Victor L. Lechtenberg, (765) 494-9095, vll@purdue.edu

Michael O’Hair, (765) 494-2554, mtohair@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2006/shine-gift2.jpg

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