INA, Ill. (May 16, 2022) 鈥� Garrett Howell hasn鈥檛 forgotten where he started his journey.
The 2016 graduate of 海角视频鈥檚 Automotive Technology program is now a Power Gen Diagnostic Domain Architect for the CPS Diagnostics division of Cummins, Inc. in Columbus, Ind.
海角视频 graduate Garrett Howell recently gave back to the program that moved him forward in the field. Howell (CENTER) is pictured with Automotive Technology Professors Nigel Thompson (LEFT) and Shannon Perkins (RIGHT).
鈥淲hen I was going to the 海角视频 Automotive program they were always looking for ways to improve 鈥� by getting training equipment.鈥�
Being the fixer that he is, Howell, a Centralia native, reached out to the Cummins Foundation to see if there was anything that could be done.
鈥淸It鈥檚] a foundation within Cummins Inc. that allows employees to get engaged with the community 鈥� by helping out colleges or businesses,鈥� Howell explained. 鈥淭he 海角视频 Automotive program is a great automotive program. The program might not have all the fancy tools, but the instructors truly care about their students.鈥�
Howell鈥檚 application was approved for a $5,000 grant. He contacted the Cummins training department to inquire about trainer engines for sale.
鈥淭hey had an engine for $7,000鈥�, he said. 鈥淭hey told me they would love to help out a community college and gave the engine to us for $5,000.鈥�
Procuring a $7,000 engine for students to train on would have been enough. But Howell鈥檚 heart for the RLC Auto program is bigger than that.
He met with college President Terry Wilkerson, Professors Nigel Thompson and Shannon Perkins, and the advisory council RLC works with on programming for Automotive Technology. This group is made up of professionals in the industry who offer their expertise to better the curriculum and training at the college.
It was decided that a new certificate should be developed.
鈥淭his is going to be a great opportunity for the students to get some real-time diagnostics on a diesel engine,鈥� Howell said.
鈥淎long with the diesel trainer engine, students will have access to the Cummins online training used by their network of diesel technicians,鈥� said Thompson. 鈥淲e will be adding a Cummins diesel maintenance and emission/drivability class elective in our automotive program curriculum. It will provide our students with skills needed on today鈥檚 diesel technology. Upon completion of the class, students will receive a Cummins certificate.鈥�
鈥淭raining students in a CTE field can be challenging at times with all the evolving changes in technology and equipment,鈥� said RLC Dean of Applied Science and Advanced Technology Gabriele Farner. 鈥淲e take pride in preparing our students for the workforce. Gifts like the trainer engine help make this possible through enhancing the real-world applications students experience in the lab environment.
鈥淲e would like to thank Cummins and Garrett for the awesome donation,鈥� Thompson added. 鈥淕arrett was an outstanding, hard-working student and currently serves as our auto advisory chairperson. In addition to being a hard-working Cummins employee, he鈥檚 a dedicated family man and outstanding person.鈥�
Howell called RLC鈥檚 program 鈥渢he best kept secret in Southern Illinois鈥� that鈥檚 a 鈥済reat opportunity for students that want to learn more about automotive.
鈥淭he time I got with the instructors and other staff that assisted me was so valuable,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 thought if I was able to help out 海角视频 鈥� help future students in the automotive program, why not try?鈥�
Feeling inspired by Howell鈥檚 gift through Cummins Inc.? Contact the division below to see what you can do.
Applied Science and Advanced Technology Division
Programs: Agriculture, Agricultural Business, Agricultural Production & Management, Agricultural Mechanics, Architectural Technology, Automotive Technology, Business, Computer Programming, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Criminal Justice, Diesel Technology, Entrepreneurship, Facilities Management, Heavy Equipment Technology, Industrial Technology, Industrial Electronics and Maintenance Technician, Information Technology Database Specialist, Information Technology Security Specialist, Machining Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Mining, Office Systems Technology, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Visual Communication Design, Welding.
Allied Health Division
Programs: American Heart Association Training Center, Associate Degree Nursing, Barber, Certified Nurse Assistant, Cosmetology , Emergency Medical Technician, EMT-Paramedic, Esthetics, Medical Assistant, Medical Coding, Nail Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Radiology, Veterinary Assistant.
Arts & Sciences Division
Programs: Communication, Engineering, Foreign Languages, Health, Humanities, Math, Physical Education, Science, Social Sciences, Performing and Visual Arts, Pre-Professional Education (Med/Vet/Pharm).
Community & Corporate Education Division
Programs: Early Childhood Education, Education, Culinary Arts, Truck Driver Training.
