Farmers throughout the U.S. can’t farm with out tools, and that tools should be serviced, identified, and repaired by certified technicians. Students in Pitt State’s Diesel and Heavy Equipment program who at some point will do this now have a model new $150,000 piece of kit on which to be taught.

A New Holland Speedrower 220 was donated by Kelly Burgess, a graduate of the Automotive program (BST ’01), and Pittsburg native on behalf of Case New Holland — a world firm that manufactures agricultural tools.

Burgess is an electrification specialist with CNH and was named one among Pitt State’s Outstanding Alumni in 2023. 

“To keep farmers farming, you must have students learning how to service what they use,” defined Professor Tim Dell, coordinator of the Diesel and Heavy Equipment program. “The general public probably doesn’t understand the numerous roles that are vital to agriculture beyond farming: operator, technician, service advisor at the dealership, technical hotlines, instructors. It’s incredibly broad.” 

Such jobs are in excessive demand and pay good salaries, Dell famous. 

Students will use it within the following programs to turn out to be aware of its methods:

• • Fluid Power
• • Advanced Hydraulics
• • Diesel Fundamentals
• • Advanced Diesel Electronics
• • Agricultural Powertrains and Systems

It additionally will likely be used for coaching in workshops supplied to trade and instructors by the Kansas Center for Career and Technical Education at Pitt State. 

Burgess mentioned irrespective of the place Pitt State graduates wind up working, their having had expertise with such tools whereas in school will likely be extremely beneficial.  

“It accommodates a lot that college students will be capable of lay their arms on and check proper out of our service guide that represents machines they’ll come throughout of their professions,” he mentioned. 

Greg Murray, director of the School of Automotive and Engineering Technology, mentioned the donation was “significant” for a college this dimension; such tools normally is discovered solely in Division I universities.  

This shouldn’t be the primary donation that Burgess has helped facilitate for this system. In 2019, he represented CNH in a present of greater than $300,000 value of heavy diesel tools. He is also energetic in serving on advisory boards within the College of Technology. 

“A main pillar to CNH’s philanthropic philosophy is civic and community empowerment,” he mentioned. “Inside of that pillar, education is a core component of our civic interests. I grew up here, and I very much appreciate the education I got. It’s my duty and my honor to steer these donations to Pitt State.” 

Case New Holland additionally actively recruits Pitt State college students for internships and graduates for full-time positions. 

New scholarships

Kolton Crystal, who owns KC Specialized LLC trucking firm, hauled the Speedrower from Grand Island, Nebraska to Pittsburg and requested that the $2,500 the college would have paid to cowl his prices be given as a substitute to scholarships.  

The Automotive program will match the donation, so beginning this fall, 4 college students every will likely be awarded a $1,250 scholarship for the 2024-25 tutorial 12 months. 

“I can see the need for good mechanics every time I turn around,” Crystal mentioned. “My end goal is that with the scholarships, they will have a big impact on four students, and that soon we’ll have four great mechanics out in the workforce. We need them.” 

About the Automotive Technology program 

Pitt State is acknowledged by the trade as providing the most effective Automotive Technology applications within the nation. It is a part of the College of Technology and is housed within the Kansas Technology Center.

Learn extra:

Automotive Technology