PARTNERSHIP
GIVES STUDENTS OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO COLLEGE MANHATTAN -- A partnership between the Dodge City plant of Excel Corp., and Kansas State University at Salina will give students an opportunity to complete an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology at no cost, as well as to secure a position with Excel upon graduation. Five students will be selected for fall 2002 to attend K-State at Salina. Each student selected will have their tuition, books, fees and housing paid for by Excel Corp. Students selected will agree to work for Excel Corp. for two years after completing their degree. Students will be chosen on a first-come-first-served basis and need to have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher as well as a score of 21 or higher on the ACT. Students wanting to apply for the Excel Corp./K-State at Salina program or who need further information can contact Matt Melvin, assistant dean and director of College Advancement, at 785-826-2640 or 1-800-248-5782 in Kansas. Excel Corp. is tapping into a new market of graduates with technical skills to meet its needs within the meat solutions industry. Dodge City plant officials believe K-State at Salina's mechanical engineering technology associate degree graduates have the ability to integrate into plant operations. "Excel is pleased to partner with K-State at Salina to develop the youth of Kansas and fill a growing need for technically trained positions within our facility," said Dave Stafford, human resource manager at Excel Corp.'s Dodge City plant. "We believe K-State at Salina will produce highly talented graduates that will become an asset to our business and the Dodge City community. "We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with both K-State at Salina, their students and future employees." Dennis Kuhlman, dean of the College of Technology and Aviation, sees the partnership as a win-win situation. "With the college as the facilitator of education, I see this as a great opportunity for all involved," Kuhlman said. "K-State at Salina is here for the people of the state of Kansas as a resource and to assist in the development of our young people to be successful as they enter the workforce. "A student going to college with the knowledge that they have the financial resources to complete a degree, as well as the assurance of a job once they finish, are in a position to strive for excellence. This also shows Excel is committed to education, and K-State continues to supply graduates with the skills industry needs in employees." |