September 16, 2005

Purdue degree offerings expand in Greensburg

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's College of Technology is announcing plans to expand program offerings in Greensburg and Decatur County.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has approved Purdue to transfer degree programs in three disciplines to Greensburg in Decatur County, that were originally offered at the College of Technology's former location in Versailles, in Ripley County. In Indiana, the state does not give colleges and universities the power to grant degrees throughout the state, but rather on a county-by-county basis.

"Since Purdue established permanent faculty and course offerings in Greensburg, enrollment and community support throughout Decatur County have grown," said Robert Neth, interim director of the College of Technology Columbus/Southeast location, who oversees the Greensburg programs. "The ability to offer full degree programs in Greensburg will enable us to meet the need of the community."

Students will now be able to earn associate's and bachelor's degrees in organizational leadership and supervision and a bachelor's degree in industrial technology.

Michael T. O'Hair, associate dean for statewide technology and engagement, said the shift is part of a plan to re-evaluate offerings at College of Technology locations around the state to guarantee Purdue is meeting the needs of residents and businesses in each community most effectively.

"Education and economic development go hand-in-hand," O'Hair said. "Businesses are clamoring for an educated workforce and workers are looking for opportunities to expand their education without disrupting their careers and their families.

"Students graduating from high school are looking for ways to earn college degrees close to home. The College of Technology is working to meet all of those needs."

Purdue recently moved its Greensburg classes to the new Greensburg Community Learning Center. The facilities include a student services office, a computer lab, a large classroom and offices for two full-time professors of organizational leadership and supervision who are based in Greensburg.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the founding of Purdue's College of Technology, the first of its kind in the country. The college is made up of eight departments: aviation technology, building construction technology, mechanical engineering technology, electrical and computer engineering technology, industrial technology, computer information technology, computer graphics technology, and organizational leadership and supervision.

The college educates approximately 6,000 undergraduate students each year at eight locations throughout Indiana. In addition to the Greensberg location, the other locations are West Lafayette, Anderson/Muncie, Columbus/Southeast Indiana, Indianapolis, Kokomo/Lafayette, New Albany, Richmond and South Bend/Elkhart.

Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu

Sources: Michael T. O'Hair, (765) 494-2554, mtohair@purdue.edu

Robert Neth, (812) 348-7229, rneth@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Related Web sites:
Purdue University Home Page

College of Technology at Columbus

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