Academics
On Thursday, representatives from Liberty toured labs in the Crossland Technology Center, home to the Electrical Technology program after presenting the check to the Jeff Brooks Scholarship.
Brooks, a three-time graduate of Pitt State, taught for 40 years in Electrical Technology. He died in 2023 at age 61 after having taught approximately 800 electricians.
“Without Jeff, there would be no Electrical Technology program,” said Madisyn Hite, gift officer for the College of Technology. “Our goal is to get the scholarship to the $25,000 level so that it is endowed and Jeff’s name will forever live on.”
The fund already is at nearly $12,000.
Assistant Professor Clint Myers demonstrated to the Liberty representatives how the 75-year-old Electrical Technology program has grown in recent years with improved lab equipment and hands-on training spaces.
Students now have individual workstations that allow them to master a variety of electrical tasks necessary for jobs, from wiring single-family homes to installing complex electrical systems in multi-million-dollar commercial buildings.
The program also has grown in demand: Previous years have seen enrollment capped at 25 with a waiting list; this year it was capped at 30 and in Fall 2025, the program will accept 40.
A high percentage of students each year also earn their Journeyman Electrical Certification, giving them even better career prospects; last year’s pass rate was more than double the national average.
John Shipley, manager of plant operations at the company’s power plant at Riverton, serves on the program’s advisory board. He said he continues to be impressed with the quality and level of training in Pitt State graduates, and that Liberty is happy to invest in helping to educate more.
Liberty Utilities employs numerous graduates of the Pitt State program.
In addition to Shipley, the group that visited Pitt State included Tim Wilson, president of Central Region Electric; Jordan Bolinger, senior manager of key accounts; Brian Berkstresser, senior director of generation operations for Central Region; and Scott Meeker, regional communications.
The Pitt State Electrical Technology program is part of the School of Construction.
Pitt State Electrical Technology
Companies eager to sign Pitt State Electrical Technology graduates
Students in 2-year Electrical Technology program heavily recruited by companies
Students in Electrical program learn field work during volunteer program at Ronald McDonald House
