Education leaders join community for Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence dedication

Students participating in the Kids ROBO Columbus Camp were taking full advantage of the new Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence June 10.

Purdue President France Cordova told Columbus-area manufacturers Friday, "Your future employees are here, and they'd be happy to hear from you."

She spoke as part of the dedication of the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCE), a shared, state-of-the-art facility that focuses on the development of an advanced manufacturing workforce for southeastern Indiana.

Purdue's College of Technology is one of three educational institutions housed in the new center. They join Indiana University Purdue University Columbus and Ivy Tech Community College in offering a wide variety of two- and four-year degrees focused on science, technology, engineering, and math.

Indiana leads the nation in percentage of manufacturing jobs per capita, and southeastern Indiana is home to several global manufacturing companies. Developers of the center hope to position the area as a hub of advanced manufacturing education and industry.

“This beautiful facility is a testament to the commitment this region has to serving the educational and workforce development needs of its citizens," said Dennis Depew, dean of Pudue's College of Technology. "This project perfectly fits the College of Technology mission and Purdue's charge as a land grant university."

Will Miller, chairman of the Irwin Management Corporation and founding board member of the Columbus Community Education Coalition, spoke at the dedication ceremony.

"Our vision was to be the masters of advanced manufacturing," he said. "The center allows us to deliver hands-on, team-centered, project-based learning and applied research to student and regional companies."

The center opened earlier this month, and it has already started hosting summer camps to create interest in its programs.

The building that houses AMCE was designed by architect Cesar Pelli, who also attended the dedication ceremony. He has had a long relationship with the community of Columbus, and he was happy to be a part of the new facility.

"I designed this building with enthusiasm and love," he said. "I am enthused about the programs and the intention of the building. . . The building will still be alive and giving opportunity to youngsters long after we are long gone."

See photos of the event.