![\"SIU](\"http:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/4-22-Nissan2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nby Pete Rosenbery<\/p>\n
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Another significant donation \u2014 Christopher Reynolds, left, an assistant instructor with Southern Illinois University Carbondale\u2019s nationally recognized automotive technology program, checks out one of the latest donations to the program, a 2006 Nissan 350Z with students Kelsey Pugh, center, and Vincent Tiberio, right. The car is one of six vehicles and equipment totaling more than $151,000 the program received from Nissan North America, Inc. Pugh and Tiberio are juniors in the automotive technology program; Pugh is from Cleveland, Ohio; Tiberio from Yorkville. (Photo by Pete Rosenbery)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
CARBONDALE, Ill. \u2014 Nissan North America Inc. is assisting students in Southern Illinois University Carbondale\u2019s Department of Automotive Technology with a sizeable gift of automobiles and equipment. The company recently donated six vehicles, several engines, transmissions, transaxles and other equipment to the nationally recognized program. The donations, which total $151,610, will help prepare students for careers with major automotive manufacturers, said Jack S. Greer, who chairs the automotive technology department. \u201cThis is vitally important,\u201d Greer said, noting the gift is Nissan\u2019s largest to the program. \u201cIt\u2019s important to the program to keep it up-to-date as far as technology opportunities for the students. This also demonstrates the dedication the manufacturers have for this program.\u201d Geoff Lonberger, fixed operations manager for Nissan North America, Inc., and a 2005 SIUC automotive technology program graduate, coordinated the sizeable donation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is important for manufacturers to support educational programs, particularly ones with an automotive-specific curriculum because a lot of the upcoming graduates from these programs could be the future of the industry,\u201d he said. \u201cWithout vehicle and parts donations the students would not have current technology to learn from.\u201d The donation is another validation of the automotive technology program\u2019s standing within the industry, Greer said. \u201cNissan doesn\u2019t give $150,000 to a school they do not think a lot of,\u201d he said. \u201cThey appreciate our graduates and the way they are prepared for the industry. Our students hit the ground running.\u201d Kelsey Pugh, a junior in automotive technology from Cleveland, Ohio, said adapting to the ever-changing automotive industry is important. \u201cIt\u2019s always constantly changing,\u201d Pugh said. \u201cWith what we have to work on right now, just getting these new technologies in and seeing different manufacturers and how they do different things is vital.\u201d Vincent Tiberio, a junior in automotive technology from Yorkville, agreed. \u201cThis is the newest and greatest technology on the market. It keeps us up-to-date,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are able to see what is out there.\u201d As with other donations, students use the vehicles to hone their diagnostic sills. This enables students to train on some of the latest technology, vehicles, and equipment, in the automotive industry, Greer said. \u201cThis institution embraces any opportunity to enhance the educational experience for our students,\u201d said Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and chief executive officer of the SIU Foundation. \u201cSIU Carbondale\u2019s automotive technology program takes great pride in preparing students for jobs in the industry. Nissan\u2019s gift clearly demonstrates a similar commitment to higher education. The University is grateful for Nissan\u2019s generosity.\u201d It is Nissan\u2019s pleasure to donate the vehicles and equipment, said Lonberger. Four of the six vehicles \u2014 a 2004 Nissan Titan, a 2006 Nissan 350Z, a 2007 Nissan Maxima, and 2007 Nissan Sentra \u2014 will be at the automotive technology campus in Carterville, which has 200 students. A 2000 Nissan Maxima and 2002 Nissan Altima are in use in the off-campus program at Harry S. Truman College in Chicago.<\/p>\n
That program began in fall 2007, enabling Chicago-area students the opportunity to obtain a bachelor\u2019s degree in automotive technology. Students complete an associate of applied science degree from Kennedy-King or Truman College, and then transfer into the automotive technology program, where SIUC faculty teaches upper-level automotive technical and automotive management courses at Truman College. Lonberger started his career with Nissan as a dealer parts and service specialist in 2006. Two years later he transitioned to the sales side of the business as a regional market representative specialist \u2014 involved with the franchise agreement as well as market development. His current position, which began April 1, also has an emphasis on customer retention, he said. The University\u2019s automotive technology program \u201cis like no other,\u201d Lonberger emphasized. \u201cThe balance between the technical and business sides of the automotive industry makes the education relevant and desirable to manufacturers in any automotive-related field,\u201d he said. \u201cI would highly recommend the program to anybody who wishes to pursue a career in the automotive field. Not only will you receive a great education but after graduation you will have a rich fraternity of Salukis to help you get your foot in the door at some of the top companies in the industry.\u201d Christopher Reynolds, an assistant instructor in the automotive technology program, said it is important for students to be able to see and work on what they will see at dealerships and independent shops. The donations enhance the available base curriculum so that students are more prepared to serve a diverse market of vehicles, Reynolds said. In 2005, the automotive technology program earned the Automotive Industry Planning Council\u2019s Award of Excellence \u2014 its third time as the nation\u2019s top program. The program also earned top honors in 1991 and 1999; national winners cannot compete again for the award for five years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Pete Rosenbery Another significant donation \u2014 Christopher Reynolds, left, an assistant instructor with Southern Illinois University Carbondale\u2019s nationally recognized automotive technology program, checks out one of the latest donations to the program, a 2006 Nissan 350Z with students Kelsey Pugh, center, and Vincent Tiberio, right. The car is one of six vehicles and equipment … Continue reading Automotive students benefit from Nissan gift<\/span>