Two years ago, Vincennes University announced it would be offering a bachelor’s degree program in industrial technology through Purdue University.
Last week, the first graduating class of the program held a commencement ceremony at VU’s Technology Center to celebrate their achievement.
Six students, five of whom have already founds jobs, participated in the ceremony.
One of those pioneering students was 23-year-old Logan Crawford of Bedford. Crawford, who addressed his fellow graduates at the commencement ceremony, landed a job with Metal Technologies Inc. in Bloomfield.
He called the industrial technology program a “really good experience.”
“I feel like it was a great opportunity and I feel pretty privileged to be one of the first ones through the program,” he said.
Crawford said he benefited from the smaller class sizes at VU and credited Robert Moffat, who was hired as a Purdue clinical assistant professor for the program, for his success.
Moffat teaches several of the classes in the program.
“I feel like I learned more in those than the Purdue teachers taught online because he’s had so much experience out in the field,” Crawford said.
More than 40 students were enrolled in the program this spring and Moffat said they have registered another 23 for the 2011 fall semester.
The students’ first four semesters are taught by VU faculty and then the student can earn an associate’s degree before entering into the Purdue bachelor’s degree program.
The classes cover a variety of subjects including, safety, sales management and cost analysis.
“The classes basically prepare the student to go into entry to mid-level management and supervision,” Moffat said.
Students enrolled in the bachelor’s degree program are also issued a Purdue identification card and can utilize the university’s placement services, which can help them build a resume or portfolio and attend job fairs on the main campus in West Lafayette.
Although the student is in a Purdue program, they pay VU tuition rates. A student enrolled in the program at VU pays $160.15 per credit hour, while a student in the same program that attends Purdue pays $305 per credit hour, Moffat said.
“From an economic standpoint, it’s a really good deal for the students,” he said.
Moffat said his graduates have landed jobs all over the state. Crawford said there were several potential jobs available following his completion of the program.
“I felt like there was especially for the program I went through. I feel like there is a lot of opportunity for jobs out there,” he said.
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