Aurora Borealis - MSU-Northern/NMC Alumni Newspaper
 
 
New Building Approved by Legislature
Summer 2001
The 2001 Montana Legislature approved $2 million in bonding for the proposed Applied Technology Center in HB 14. MSU-Northern had approached the Legislature with the proposition that this building would be a partnership between the state, federal government and private sector. In approving the bonding portion of the project, the Legislature also authorized MSU-Northern to seek and secure funding from other sources.

Montana State University-Northern is poised to launch a major effort to secure funding for the construction of the Applied Technology Center. According to Chancellor Alex Capdeville, MSU-Northern is Applied Technology Center (Concept)proposing this major building project to further position the institution to prepare students for careers that are in high demand and meet the increasingly sophisticated technology and business needs of employers. "We are excited about the opportunity this project represents to expand the number of graduates from technology based disciplines and assist business with technology applications," stated Chancellor Capdeville. Capdeville also stated that approval of this project by the Legislature indicates their long-term commitment to the future of the institution. "This is good news for prospective MSU-Northern students and employees," Capdeville concluded.

The mission of the MSU-Northern Applied Technology Center is to provide new forms of cooperation among multi-disciplinary transportation technology programs and industry partners which will enhance growth opportunities for all.

The following project objectives have been identified for this new center:

• Expand the number of available MSUN graduates, highly skilled in technical and business fields, prepared to be valuable employees or successful business managers.

• Focus on emerging technologies, industrial problem solving and applied research critical to mobility industries including automotive, diesel, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, communications and information technology.

• Serve as a communications center utilizing the latest in information technology.

• Permit valuable "continuing education" opportunities and support for graduates via "distance delivery" such as the Internet, satellite and interactive television.

• Generate business and technology innovation and incubation, including aggressive technology transfer and fostering new business opportunities in technology.

• Strengthen the business and industrial linkages between MSUN and the private sector.

• As a strong center for programs of the College of Technical Sciences, improve the utilization and efficiency of related facility space that already exists.

MSU-Northern Director of Grants and Sponsored Activities, Greg Jergeson, stated that "The applied technology center will utilize a multi-disciplinary model. In today's economy there is no situation where only one discipline is involved in making a business decision. The design of the ATC will allow students from all of MSU-Northern's disciplines to work together in order to find the most efficient business solutions for clients."

"This is an exciting project," added Judy Bricker, Director of the Northern Alumni Association. "We are inviting all our alumni to participate as advocates for the Applied Technology Center."

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