25 October Ashley Charitable Foundation donates $500,000 to ICC's Commercial Truck Driving program October 25, 2023 By Thomas, Donna S. Career Center, General 0 Itawamba Community College’s Commercial Truck Driving program will benefit from a $500,000 donation from the Ashley Charitable Foundation (ACF), a nonprofit organization founded by Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC and committed to supporting education and workforce development, presented this afternoon at the Tupelo Campus. Among those participating in the event were Ron Wanek, Founder and Chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, and Dr. Jay Allen, President of Itawamba Community College. The presentation also included a special congratulatory video by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves. This contribution marks ACF's continued dedication to partnering with higher education institutions to drive growth in the workforce. "Itawamba Community College exemplifies successful educational programs that adequately equip students to enter the workforce,” Wanek said. “We strongly believe in providing individuals with opportunities in the areas of STEM, and our partnership with Itawamba aligns perfectly with this vision.” Wanek said that Ashley started in a 35,000-square-foot facility in Ecru with 35 employees and has had a strong presence in the state since 1994. “Mississippi is the best place to do business. We appreciate growing in Mississippi.” The facility has expanded nine times, and Ashley now has plants in Ripley, Verona and Saltillo. Wanek noted that Ashley is the number one furniture manufacturer in the world and the number one furniture store in the United States.” In addition to the partnership with Commercial Truck Driving Technology, Wanek said that he expects collaboration with ICC in the areas of artificial intelligence and automation, which will require different skill sets. We are passionate about the furniture industry, and we continue to invest.” ICC also facilitates internships and apprenticeship opportunities with companies such as Ashley Furniture Industries, further preparing students for successful careers. The funds from the Ashley Charitable Foundation will be used to further enhance infrastructure at ICC as it continues to expand its Commercial Truck Driving program with the construction of a new driving range just across the street from the Tupelo Campus, Allen said. Additional phases will include the construction of a storage facility for training equipment and phase three, a state-of-the-art training lab and garage. “After years of productive conversation with Mr. Wanek and his outstanding team, we are honored to accept this donation of a half million dollars to the ICC Foundation, Inc.,” Allen said. “This significant contribution marks a pivotal milestone in the growth and development of our institution. It is a testament to the enduring commitment of our community and industry partners to the success of our students and the advancement of our programs. Those community partnerships allow us to expand educational opportunities not only for our students but also for all in our region and beyond. These collaborations will enable us to offer a broader range of programs, training and resources that directly address the needs of our local job market. We can ensure that our curriculum is aligned with the skills and knowledge that are in demand, ultimately preparing our students for successful careers.” ICC’s Commercial Truck Driving program prepares individuals to drive Class A semitrucks and other commercial vehicles and is designed to give the future driver a complete and thorough knowledge of logbooks, trip records and the motor carrier safety regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. In his congratulatory remarks, Gov. Reeves expressed appreciation to the Ashley Charitable Foundation, Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC and Itawamba Community College. “I’m excited to congratulate Itawamba Community College on receiving this incredibly generous donation from Ashley Charitable Foundation for your Commercial Truck Driving program…a big thank you to Mr. Ron and the entire team at Ashley Furniture for making this incredible investment into one of our state’s amazing community colleges…Your generosity has truly moved us all. To ICC, I am confident that today’s investment will help strengthen your efforts in meeting the needs of your communities. Mississippi has seen tremendous success due in large part to our community colleges and our workforce development efforts. These opportunities and investments aren’t just helping us succeed in the present, but they are to helping us to build a long-term pathway to more comprehensive training and business opportunities. In short, we are just getting started. There is no question that our trucking industry will see the positive benefits from this historic donation for generations to come…Thank you, all, for helping to make this state that we love an even better place.” ACF has been a proud supporter of STEM Initiatives in Mississippi, actively contributing to organizations such as SkillsUSA, Technology Student Association and VEX Robotics. By championing these initiatives, ACF aims to nurture and inspire future leaders in the areas of STEM education. With this donation, ACF has donated over $1 million to support the Mississippi community since 2013. Related Articles Registration underway for ICC Commercial Truck Driving program Registration is underway for a Commercial Truck Driving program at the Itawamba Community College Tupelo Campus. The career pathway program prepares individuals to drive Class A semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles. It includes instruction in operating diesel-powered vehicles, loading and unloading cargo, reporting delays or accidents on the road, verifying loads against shipping records and keeping necessary records. According to ICC Continuing Education director Josh Gammill, “It is designed to give the future driver a complete and thorough knowledge of logbooks, trip records and the motor carrier safety regulations of the United States Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.” Classes meet Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for four weeks at the ICC-Tupelo Campus (2176 So. Eason Blvd.). Enrollment requirements include U.S. citizen or Puerto Rico valid driver’s license; copy of good driving record; acceptable driving record with no more than two speeding tickets in the previous three years and no DUIs or DWUIs in the previous four years; pass DOT physical and drug screening within 30 days of class; and pass class A CDL Learner’s ... ICC breaks ground on Commercial Truck Driving Training Center Itawamba Community College broke ground today (Oct. 21) for its Commercial Truck Driving Training Center which will be located at the new driving range across the street from the Tupelo Campus at 2176 So. Eason Blvd. The 8,504-square-foot facility will include multiple truck bays, lab with a truck driving simulator, classroom, exterior wash bay, three offices and storage space. “Today we break ground on a facility that will not only enhance our institution but will also help us to better meet a need in our region and beyond,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “This new Commercial Truck Driving Training Center symbolizes more than the start of another construction project, but represents our continued commitment to education, workforce development and the future of our students. Our goal, as always, is to provide sustainable pathways to success, and this center will do just that by providing a space for our students to learn and train for a critical role in today’s economy.” ICC Vice President of Career and Workforce Education Barry Emison shared the importance of the trucking industry ... TAG Truck Center Tupelo facilitates rolling chassis donation to ICC's Diesel Equipment Technology program TAG Truck Center Tupelo (TAG Tupelo) recently facilitated the donation of a rolling chassis training aid to the Itawamba Community College Diesel Equipment Technology program for hands-on training while studying chassis repair during its core diesel curriculum. The chassis, originally used in Daimler Truck North America’s Service Training Academy, was in Tooele, Utah and was due for placement at a college or school which applied for it and would use it for training purposes. TAG Tupelo provided the logistics and transportation costs to have it delivered to ICC’s diesel shop. “Our program’s partnership with TAG Tupelo is strong, and we thank them and Higgins Logistics for facilitating this donation. It will allow for practical hands-on experience for our Diesel Equipment students, which is vitally important for their knowledge growth,” said Jason Gholston, director of ICC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program. ICC’s Diesel Equipment Technology program, which was created in 1985, is an instructional program that prepares students with competencies required to maintain and repair a variety of industrial diesel equipment. The program includes instruction in inspection, repair and maintenance of engines, power trains, ... ICC's ADN, PN programs to benefit from $40,000 Women's Foundation of Mississippi Grant Students in Itawamba Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs again will have an opportunity to benefit from a significant grant from the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi. For the second consecutive year, the $40,000 Access to Opportunity – Training and Graduating a Healthcare Workforce for Mississippi grant will be divided between the ADN and PN programs based on relative program enrollments, said Tonya Vaughn, dean of Health Science Instruction. Last year, 31 ADN and 19 PN students received funds. During 2021-22, recipients of the grant money expressed their appreciation for their selection. Among the uses for the funds included purchase of a new computer that was compatible with technology used in the nursing program, payment for the NCLEX review and application, vehicle tires for less hazardous travel to and from school and clinicals and childcare to enable continued enrollment. Students in their final year/semester of their nursing program will be informed of this grant during the beginning of the fall semester, Vaughn said. Those who would like to be considered for the grant will complete an ... ICC's PMMT program receives Gene Haas Foundation grant Itawamba Community College’s Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology program has received a $14,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation. According to Dylan Baldwin, ICC’s director of Career Education, the funds will be used for student aid and certifications. “We appreciate very much the investment by the Haas Foundation in ICC’s Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology program,” Baldwin said. “Not only is it an investment in the program, but it is an investment in the futures of our students.” In 1999, Gene Haas formed the foundation which bears his name because he grew up with a strong social conscience instilled by his family. It was initially designed to fund the needs of the local community. Haas Automation is now a billion-dollar company. The focus of the foundation has shifted to the current outreach and methodology. Its purpose is to introduce students to careers in machine technology and manufacturing, to build skills in the machining industry and to help military veterans enroll in programs that train them to become skilled machinists. ICC’s Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology program is designed to ... ICC's PMMT program receives $20,000 Gene Haas Foundation grant Itawamba Community College’s Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology program has received a $20,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation. According to Dylan Baldwin, ICC’s director of Career Education, the funds are being used for financial aid for several students. “We appreciate very much the investment by the Haas Foundation in ICC’s Precision Manufacturing and Machining Technology program,” Baldwin said. “Not only is it an investment in the program, but it is an investment in the futures of our students.” In 1999, Gene Haas formed the foundation, which bears his name because he grew up with a strong social conscience instilled by his family. It was initially designed to fund the needs of the local community. Haas Automation is now a billion-dollar company. The focus of the foundation has shifted to the current outreach and methodology. Its purpose is to introduce students to careers in machine technology and manufacturing, to build skills in the machining industry and to help military veterans enroll in programs that train them to become skilled machinists. ICC’s Precision Manufacturing ... Comments are closed.