Linn-Benton Community College

Bryan Schiedler, LBCC Transportation Technology faculty chair, talks about new diesel training building. Driving their futures: LBCC's diesel students get ready for new facility by Jennifer Moody, Albany Democrat-Herald  Photo: David Patton, Albany Democrat-Herald LEBANON — According to the calendar, Monday was the first day of class for students at Linn-Benton Community College. But to diesel program students, it actually felt closer to Christmas Eve. On Wednesday, the students will get to move into the newly completed building for the Heavy Equipment Diesel program at the Advanced Transportation Technology Center, part of the LBCC Lebanon branch. In the meantime, they spent part of Monday touring the grounds and at least getting a look at the new 37,000-square-foot building from the outside. "They're excited. They can't wait to get in there," said Bryan Schiedler, department chairman of Transportation Technology. "It's almost like it'...

The LBCC Board of Education voted Wednesday to approve a tuition rate increase of 6 percent for both in-state and out-of-state, and 8 percent for international, effective summer term 2016. The increase will be used to help cover current program expenses, expand services, and help develop an ending fund balance of 10 percent. After two years without an increase, the projection for future tuition increases includes a 5 percent increase next year, and 3 percent annual increases after that. In-state tuition for 2016-17 school year will be $99.43 per credit hour, up from $93.80. Out-of-state tuition will be $231.12, up from $214, and international tuition will be $282.02, up from $251.80. Veterinary Assistant program instructor Karen Talbott and her service cat, Raider, received the Karen Talbott with Raider and KGW meteorologist Matt Zaffino. Oregon Humane Society Diamond Collar Award for Raider’s work assisting her and others with alerting for a diabetic condition. Raider i...

Suzanne Gaulocher and Dale Stowell have been named 2014 Linn-Benton Community College Distinguished Alumni. They will be recognized at the annual Alumni Reception at LBCC’s Albany campus May 7 at 7 p.m. Gaulocher, of Menlo Park, Calif., is currently the Director of Community Engaged Learning at Stanford University. With a focus on health, she works across Stanford’s seven schools, guiding faculty, students and community partners to increase community engagement and service learning opportunities, along with public service internships for Stanford undergraduates. Gaulocher’s work history includes both research and activism that has improved health and community engagement in the U.S. and throughout the world. Her work has focused on the intersection of human health and the environment with a focus on community engagement and equity. Prior to Stanford, Suzanne worked at the University of Wisconsin’s University Health Services as a researcher and evaluator. She also worked on th...

Linn-Benton Community College’s Foundation donated $150,000 to the college’s Advanced Transportation Technology Center for purchase of a dynamometer to use in its new automotive training center. The dynamometer diagnostic tool used in automotive service will be the only one of its kind between Vancouver, BC and San Francisco. The new tool will allow LBCC students to perform some of the most advanced testing and diagnostics in the country, and to work with regional manufacturers to develop or improve a variety of components used by hybrid and electric vehicles.  “The new dynomometer functions like most other all-wheel drive dyno's except that this one is specifically designed to enable quick development cycles for performing initial hybrid and electric vehicle calibrations, traction system monitoring, regenerative braking and limited traction conditions using road load and federal drive cycles, electric power system analysis, HEV/PHEV/EV controller development, efficiency testing, f...

Nominations for the annual Distinguished Alumnus Award at Linn-Benton Community College are being accepted through April 1. The award honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in their profession or through service to their community, and who have completed at least 36 credits at LBCC. Nomination forms are available online at www.linnbenton.edu/go/alumni/distinguished-alumni . Nominees will be honored at LBCC’s Alumni-Student reception held May 8. For more information, contact Dale Stowell, LBCC College Advancement Office, at 541-917-4784. 

Future site of the Advanced Transportation Technology Center in Lebanon The Linn-Benton Community College Foundation has received the largest single private gift in the 45-year history of the college from an anonymous donor. The $2 million dollar donation is to be used as a matching gift to support the construction and development of LBCC’s new Advanced Transportation Technology Center. LBCC finalized the purchase of an 11-acre site in Lebanon last week that will become home to its auto and diesel programs, and allow space to add hands-on training on alternative fuel technologies. These include compressed natural gas, propane, biofuel, hydrogen fuel cell, and electric and hybrid technologies. The Lebanon site is the former home of PACE Manufacturing, and includes a 35,000-square-foot industrial building. “We are humbled and very grateful for this historic contribution,” said LBCC President Greg Hamann. “Our donor was clear that this gift serves as an inspiration for others t...

The College Advancement office at Linn-Benton Community College is calling for nominations for its annual Distinguished Alumnus Award . Established in 2005, the award honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in their profession or through service to their community and have completed at least 36 credits at LBCC. Nominations will be accepted through March 30. Nomination forms can be found online at www.linnbenton.edu/go/alumni/distinguished-alumni , or by contacting Dale Stowell at 541-917-4784. For more information, contact Dale Stowell, executive director, LBCC College Advancement Office , at 541-917-4784.

Linn-Benton Community College announced Friday that it selected Dale Stowell as the next executive director to lead the college’s Office of Institutional Advancement, succeeding Marlene Propst who retired last June. In his position, Stowell will work with faculty, staff and students in promoting the college and serve as the college public information officer. He also will lead the college Foundation in fundraising efforts. Stowell comes to LBCC from Tacoma Community College, where he has served as the director of marketing, communication and outreach since 2007. Previous to TCC, Stowell served as director of college relations at Pierce College from 1998 to 2007, and as assistant director from 1994 to 1998. In addition, Stowell was employed as a regional physician communication manager with Franciscan Health System, and as a publications and media relations manager for St. Joseph Medical Center, both in Washington State. Stowell also worked for several years as an editor and reporter ...