(L-R): Ray Roland, Rachel Pennell, Mary Beth Roland, Matt Roland and Julie Roland, with the plaque honoring the Roland family’s support of the Diesel Technologies Lab at Lincoln Land Community College. (Roland Machinery Co. photo)

Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) in Springfield, Ill., announced Oct. 17 it has received a major gift from Roland Machinery Co. (RMC), also of Springfield, and has named its new Diesel Technologies Lab in honor of the Roland family.

Over the next five years, RMC will provide more than $500,000 in equipment, scholarships and support to the program.

"We are here to celebrate the incredible support of a local company and our continuing partnership that will impact the future of our local workforce," said Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC. "Roland Machinery Company has been with us from the beginning, as we explored the idea of offering a diesel technologies program, assisting in developing the curriculum and providing support that ensured our program would succeed."

The program offers an AAS degree in diesel technologies with hands-on training and classroom studies focused on servicing, repairing and diagnosing diesel-powered equipment.

"We are excited to be on the ground floor of LLCC developing this Diesel Technology School in our hometown," said Matt Roland, president and CEO of RMC. "This is a great way to make an impact in our home community. The construction industry foundational to our society we need to attract young adults to this wonderful industry."

The inaugural class of the LLCC diesel tech program is consists of 20 students, including Erin Barrick, who will become a fourth-generation owner of her family's trucking company.

"I am proud to be a diesel tech student here at LLCC's Workforce Institute, and I am so appreciative to have support from local businesses like Roland," said Barrick. "I appreciate this opportunity to thank Roland for supporting the diesel program and providing such great resources to help us with our education and our futures."

Jeff Gardner, a former diesel mechanic in addition to his 25 years of experience training future mechanics, was brought on to direct LLCC's new diesel technologies program.

"We have worked with Jeff Gardner while he was at ICC, Peoria," said Roland. "Jeff has a great resume of developing highly productive technicians that can make an immediate impact with our customers. Once we learned Jeff was going to LLCC to develop the Diesel Technology Program, we just knew it was going to be a success. RMC, along with our community, are really excited."

For more information, visit llcc.edu and rolandmachinery.com. CEG

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