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MCCC receives $1 million donation from the DTE Energy Foundation

MCCC received a $1 million contribution from the DTE Energy Foundation for the new Career Technology Center.

The $1 million donation is to support the college’s capital campaign for the new facility.


See the video, $1 million donation received from DTE Foundation


Ron May, DTE senior vice president of Major Enterprise Projects, made the announcement at a luncheon hosted by MCCC on Friday, March 8, 2013.

“We are happy today, and are proud to announce, that the DTE Energy Foundation is donating $1million to support the capital campaign,” May said.

“We are also partnering to bring a Fermi 1 exhibit here, as a part of our Fermi 3 licensing efforts, and our Fermi 3 team couldn’t think of a better place to house that exhibit long-term but right here.”

He added that Monroe County is home to two of DTE’s largest electric generating plants, the Fermi 2 Nuclear Power Plant and the Monroe Power Plant.

Monroe County Community College and DTE Energy have a longstanding, close relationship that has greatly benefited the citizens of Monroe County, May said. DTE is pleased to join MCCC as a key partner in this facility, which will play such a vital role in future of our citizens, our students, our businesses and industries, and our community at large, he said.

“DTE Energy and MCCC have partnered on a number of issues, so this is a culmination of some of that wide-ranging relationship we’ve had,”  he said.

DTE Energy made a $45,000 grant, along with an in-kind donation of solar equipment, in 2010. In addition, DTE also constructed a 500-killowat SolarCurrents system at MCCC in 2011, in support of an alternative/renewable energy program that will be housed at the new Career Technology Center.

MCCC President, Dr. David Nixon  said the college received a grant from the state of Michigan that financed half of the $17 million cost of the new Career Technology Center.

The college has funded the other half through existing funds and its capital campaign, which was started in 2011 in preparation for the new CTC building, he added.

 “This vital facility will further Monroe County Community College’s capacity to develop and to meet the needs of a globally competitive workforce, greatly benefiting the entire community and beyond,” said MCCC Board Chairman William Bacarella. “It will serve as an indispensable tool to attract new employers and create future jobs by supplying a pool of qualified candidates capable of meeting the needs of evolving industries.”

He added that the DTE Energy Foundation’s grant will further strengthen the community by supporting the college’s initiative to increase diversity.

The $1 million gift is to support the development of the colleges program areas, such as nuclear engineering, welding, construction, electronics, and quality assurance. Other programs that will be housed in the new building include mechanical engineering/automation, computer-aided drafting/ manufacturing, and automotive engineering/service with an emphasis on hybrid and battery technology.

“The Foundation at MCCC is very excited about the newest gift to our capital campaign, and we send an enthusiastic invitation to all the folks of Monroe County and the state of Michigan to become a part of it, said Michael R. Meyer, chair of The Foundation at MCCC. “

This truly is a facility that will enrich, inspire and educate for generations to come.”

The 60,000-square foot, state-of-the-art center is being built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Standards and is scheduled to open next fall.

Dr. Nixon also gave thanks to Chef Kevin Thomas and his two-year culinary students for preparing the meal served at the luncheon.

More information on the Career Technology Center at MCCC, including ways to support the new facility, is available at www.monroeccc.edu/ctc.