Teachers, counselors to learn about College of Technology programs in Anderson

The meeting, which includes lunch, will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday (Nov. 17) at the Flagship Enterprise Center at Interstate 69 and Pendleton Avenue in Anderson. The Flagship Education Center, to be housed in the enterprise center, is the future site of the Purdue College of Technology at Anderson.

"With our new location opening for classes next fall at the Flagship Education Center, this event will allow those who help students make important career decisions get an up-close look at what we'll be able to offer our students," said Jody Pierce, assistant location director in Anderson.

"This beautiful, modern facility will not only be visually appealing, but also enrich the quality of education students are able to receive due to its location inside a prime business incubator, the Flagship Enterprise Center."

The invitation-only event will include high school business and computing teachers, counselors, principals and assistant principals, and teachers involved with Project Lead the Way, a program to interest middle school and high school students in pursuing educational opportunities and careers in engineering and engineering technology.

"This gives those who work directly with students a wonderful opportunity to showcase what Purdue offers locally to those interested in attending Purdue but who want to stay close to home," Pierce said.

Faculty who teach at the Anderson location will give brief presentations on the college's programs, including bachelor's degrees in both industrial technology and organizational leadership and supervision, and associate's degrees in computer and information technology and electrical engineering technology.

Gary Randolph, associate professor of computer technology, plans to highlight careers in digital forensics, computer network security and the biomedical fields that students can pursue with a Purdue degree in computer and information technology.

Pierce said she expects about 50-60 representatives from schools in and around Anderson, Muncie, Lapel, Pendleton, Frankton and Lapel, as well as areas along I-69 in Hamilton County, such as Noblesville, Carmel and Fishers.

She said there are currently about 140 students enrolled in the College of Technology locations at Muncie and Anderson. This includes students in an associate's degree program in mechanical engineering technology that is offered through Purdue and housed at Ball State University in Muncie.

"We're really wanting to get the word out to those in the I-69 corridor that Purdue is a viable option for those in this area," Pierce said. "With our new facility, we'll be less than a half hour away from them."

Programs in four of Purdue's technology fields are currently housed at Anderson University and will relocate to the Flagship Education Center. Construction on the building is scheduled to be completed by June 30, with the facility opening for classes in August.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources: Jody Pierce, (765) 641-4557, pierceja@purdue.edu

Gary Randolph, (765) 641-4552, gbrandolph@purdue.edu

Dave Riegle, student services coordinator, (765) 285-5554, riegled@purdue.edu

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

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