Flint Hills Technical College’s Advancing Tomorrow Capital Campaign has taken another significant step forward thanks to a generous donation from a local community partner.
During a press conference on the campus of FHTC on Monday afternoon, college leadership was joined by representatives from the state of Kansas and Simmons Pet Food to announce a $500,000 contribution from the pet food producer towards the construction of the new FHTC Advanced Industry Education Center. Chairman of the Board for Simmons Mark Simmons says this contribution furthers his family’s longtime commitment and dedication to education and community.
FHTC President Dr. Caron Daugherty says the Simmons donation means a tremendous step forward for the new $13 million education center, saying it is now one step further from concept and one step closer to reality.
The donation comes as Kansas continues to face a significant shortage in quality skilled workers, as noted by FHTC Vice President for Advancement Mike Crouch in his comments Monday.
Kansas Assistant Secretary of Commerce Mike Beene says the donation from Simmons illustrates the company’s understanding of the important role technical education plays not only in the future of the state, but its own future as well.
With the donation, Simmons also received the naming rights for the center’s industrial technology lab. This follows a $20,000 contribution from Emporia State Federal Credit Union, which will have its name on the center’s conference room and a $1 million lead gift from the Jones Trust earlier this year.
Daugherty says she hopes having these community partners visibly represented within the center will remind their students of the support and opportunities they have from local businesses, but also that it will instill a desire for community involvement and engagement within their students in the future.
Crouch stated Monday was all about Simmons and their continued commitment to FHTC, but that many more similar announcements are likely in the very near future.
The new Advanced Industry Education Center, tentatively set for construction between 2027-2028, will house advanced manufacturing, industrial engineering, automation and robotics. It will also move many student and career services options to the new building and will serve as an official entrance to the college’s main campus. More information is available at fhtc.edu.
