MEDIA ADVISORY – Today, College of Western Idaho was presented a $2.5 million gift from the Micron Foundation that will support the funding needed to complete the renovation of a $16.9 million new Professional Technical Education Center in Nampa, Idaho. In recognition of the generous donation, the College announced that the new Center will bear the Micron name.
“We’re very proud to invest in CWI and this new technical center,” noted Dee Mooney, Micron Foundation Executive Director. “The Micron Foundation is committed to advancing technical education and supporting the communities where our employees live and work. This gift supports both missions as we work together with the College of Western Idaho to build on its reputation of excellence and attract a new generation of professionals to the Treasure Valley.”
The former Sam’s Club building initially purchased by the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation and later gifted to College of Western Idaho Foundation has been under remodeling efforts since May 2011. The impressive transformation is creating a functional, centralized learning facility that effectively supports nine Professional Technical Education programs that have a reputation for excellence and are successful in placing applicants in viable careers. Recent reports indicate that more than 90 percent of the College’s Professional Technical students who complete the course are employed in their field.
In addition to the technical programs, the new Center will host a variety student support services. The Center will have far more academic opportunities available to students as well as opportunities for a high level of interaction with each other and with faculty members. Dr. Bert Glandon, CWI’s president, said the gift will impact every student on campus and provide local businesses a much needed technical training facility resource.
College of Western Idaho’s growth amidst the economic downturn has presented several challenges in its ability to facilitate increased demand and maintain state-of-the-industry programs. Despite the rough economic climate and budget cuts, CWI has managed to accommodate the Treasure Valley community through the support of good financial stewards. The Albertson Foundation has enhanced their initial investment by allowing the school to offer naming opportunities to other supporters who contribute to the new Center. Both College of Western Idaho and Albertson Foundation are extremely pleased to see the Micron Foundation contribute in such a generous manner.
For more information on CWI’s Professional Technical Education Center and additional naming opportunities please contact the CWI Foundation at 208.562.3100.
Contact:
Jennifer Couch
(208) 562-3508 (office)
jennifercouch@cwi.edu
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The College of Western Idaho is a public, open-access, and comprehensive community college committed to providing affordable access to quality teaching and learning opportunities to the residents of its service area in western Idaho. CWI has seven campus locations throughout Southwest Idaho providing higher education and 21st Century technical skills acquisition. The college is dedicated to improving the community’s economic well-being by responding with highly-educated and productive graduates. The foundation for the area’s only community college was created by a supermajority of voters in Ada and Canyon counties on May 22, 2007. For more information about the college, visit cwi.edu or call (208) 562-3000.
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