Trine University Technology Center: The Beginnings
In October 2000, the Olive B. Cole Foundation through ELOC Inc. opened a 12,500 square foot Plastics Technology Center (PTC) in Angola, Indiana. This center, located on approximately five acres was modularly designed and capable of expanding to a 50,000 square foot facility. The mission of the center was “to foster economic development in the region by providing its students with the finest plastics-related education available.” Plastics training was provided to employees of small, medium, and large plastics companies located in seven counties encompassing northeast Indiana, southeast Michigan, and northwest Ohio. Various private, state, and federal grants were received for equipment, instructor fees, and training of incumbent and dislocated workers. During the period of April 2001 through March 2003, over 1,000 workers were provided plastics training through the Center in connection with a Job Works grant. In addition to plastics training, the Plastics Technology Center offered vocational education to local high school students through CISCO networking classes and A+ Computer Repair. Evening classes were held for the general public and continuing education classes which included introduction to computer; beginning, intermediate, and advanced Microsoft office courses; and organizational and quality courses. Plastics Technology Center Gifted to Trine University In January 2004, the Olive B. Cole Foundation provided a debt free gift of the Plastics Technology Center to Trine University. The center was renamed the Tri-State University Technology Center and re-launched in June 2004.  Home |
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