(Charlottesville, Va.) – Piedmont Virginia Community College held a dedication ceremony for its newly renovated engineering lab on Nov. 9. The renovation was funded by a generous $25,000 grant from the Dominion Foundation, the charitable arm of Dominion Resources.
The renovation included the installation of retractable electrical drops and new standing-height tables and chairs to support professor-led demonstrations and project-based learning; repairs to the floor and ceiling; and the purchase of new lab equipment, including a laser cutter that will allow for precise machining, to enhance student learning.
Following remarks from PVCC President Frank Friedman; PVCC Business, Mathematics and Technologies Dean Adam Hastings and Dominion Vice President of Systems Engineering Cristie Neller, attendees viewed an experiment conducted by Hunter Moore, PVCC assistant professor, engineering and electronics, and his engineering students. The experiment demonstrated the ease at which experiments can be conducted in the renovated lab space.
“This renovation enables PVCC students to receive a top-rated educational experience in engineering and engineering technology,” said Moore. “This lab helps PVCC to prepare students to either continue their education at a four-year institution with a strong foundation or enter the workforce with a real-world set of skills.”
PVCC President Frank Friedman agrees.
“We’re thrilled for our students,” said Friedman. “This generous donation from the Dominion Foundation has allowed us to upgrade our lab facilities with new technology and materials needed to help our engineering and electronics students excel in both their studies and their future careers.”
On Nov. 9, PVCC also announced that the college has received a new $30,000 cybersecurity grant from the Dominion Foundation. The new grant will be used to create an industry-caliber cybersecurity laboratory through the purchase and installation of equipment and software that will allow students to develop computer network security skills in an applied learning environment.
“There’s no substitute for experience in this fast-emerging field, and we hope this new lab will enable students gain a competitive edge in the workplace,” said Hunter Applewhite, president of the Dominion Foundation.
About Piedmont Virginia Community College
PVCC is a nonresidential two-year institution of higher education that serves Central Virginia—principally residents of the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson. The main campus is located in Albemarle County. The PVCC Eugene Giuseppe Center is located in Greene County, and the PVCC Jefferson School Center is located in downtown Charlottesville. PVCC is one of 23 community colleges in Virginia that comprise the Virginia Community College System. For more information, visit www.pvcc.edu, or call 434.977.3900.
About Dominion
Dominion (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy. The Dominion Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the communities served by Dominion companies. Dominion and the Dominion Foundation support nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education and encourage community vitality. For more information, visit www.dom.com.
