Cloud County Community College is moving to secure its place as the leader in the wind energy education field among colleges across Kansas.
Last night, at a special study session, the members of the board of trustees gave their consent for the administration to move forward with plans for a renewable energy regional center of excellence using the latest $750,000 grant to develop initiatives for partnerships with other institutions, develop a curriculum for delivery across the state, develop plans for a wind energy building, and erect the Zond wind turbine which was donated by Westar Energy.
Included in the grant request is funding for a wind energy training program coordinator, whose duties will include promoting the wind energy program, fund-raising for a building project, marketing the wind energy program and writing grants.
Kim Krull, vice president for academic affairs, after covering the growth and development of the wind energy program, asked the trustees if it was their desire to grow and expand or to relinquish the program to others.
Cloud County Community College is known for its wind energy program across the state, Krull said. “Wind has become our icon,” she said.
So far, there has been a spirit of cooperation among other Kansas community colleges wanting to become involved in wind energy or other renewable energy programs, Krull said. The Kansas Board of Regents doesn't want duplication of programs and is urging cooperation, she said.
Krull said discussions have begun with other Kansas schools. Currently, Cloud County is working with Butler County College, Garden City, and Neosho County, she said.
Cloud County also is working with Johnson County Community College to develop markets outside of Kansas, Krull said.
Cloud County also has played an integral role in the development of competencies and standards for wind programs that will result in American Wind Energy Association accreditation, Krull said.
Krull said that a $350,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce will be used for equipment for distance learning and assisting in the development of industry partnerships for apprenticeships, internships and as a key player in renewable energy promotion in Kansas.
The Cloud County wind energy program has had remarkable growth, beginning with one student in the fall of 2007 and growing to 110 students enrolled in the spring of 2010, Krull said. Cloud County's wind energy program now has four full time instructors and has implemented an application and admissions process, she said.
There currently are 199 students on the waiting list and 74 new students have applied for admission next fall, Krull said.
Including $712,725 of in-kind gifts, Cloud County has received $3,855,491 in grants for its wind energy program since the first $50,000 USDA grant was received in 2004, Krull said.
Vice president for administrative services Bob Maxson said the building being envisioned would be a 30,000 to 40,000 sq. ft. with an open span working space, classrooms, office space, and a conference area. The cost of such a building is estimated at between $3 and $4 million, he said.
Interim president James Stringer said the process of writing a grant and the quarterly reports verifying that the institution is complying with the terms of the grant are very time consuming. He complimented Kim Muff for writing the $750,000 grant application.
Muff said an example of amount of time involved was a 22-question section involving the environmental impact. “I must have spent between 60 and 70 hours just answering those questions,” she said.