Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree set to launch

Posted on Friday, September 27, 2024

LaGrange College will begin offering a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering technology in fall 2025. The new program focuses on engineering roles outside of research.

“Students who pursue this degree will be trained to address engineering issues that are vital to keeping production flowing in the region’s manufacturing facilities,” said Dr. Brian Peterson, vice president for academic affairs. “Those who see themselves working as a hands-on problem-solver are a good fit for this degree.”

The idea for the new program came about through conversations among manufacturing and community leaders at a summit held at the college in 2023.

“Regional employers indicated a strong desire for more hires with both engineering and business backgrounds,” Dr. Peterson said. “In addition to technology skills, our students will develop an understanding of production efficiency, lean inventory, and other manufacturing management issues.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that there will be 12% more new jobs for manufacturing engineers by 2032.

Brad White, Director of Continuous Improvement, NASP at Mauser Packaging Solutions in LaGrange, said employers are looking for talented individuals with technical education combined with broader soft skills and knowledge.

“The demand is incredibly high in manufacturing right now,” White said. “A large portion of skilled talent is reaching retirement age and labor needs are not aligned within current education or training programs.”

KIA Georgia President and CEO Stuart Countess said this program will help prepare the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow.

“This new degree provides a great example of the benefits to our communities when local higher education works together with manufacturing,” Countess said. “This alignment of education and business comes at a critical juncture as the state of Georgia is poised to become the leader in the United States’ electric vehicle sector.”

For more information on the program, email admissions@lagrange.edu.

 

Campus Notes

• For the sixth consecutive year, the college was named a “Best Value” institution by U.S. News & World Report in its annual rankings of American colleges and universities. LaGrange also was ranked 13th among 97 Regional Colleges in the South. Read more about this week’s rankings here.
• Registration is open for “Landscapes of Scotland: Oban, the Highlands & Edinburgh,” a 3D Journeys excursion in Scotland. Hosted by President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman, the trip will be May 27–June 7, 2025. For more information on details and rates, email 3DJourneys@lagrange.edu.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

LaGrange College Sunday

Sunday, Sept. 29

11 a.m., LaGrange United Methodist Church, 401 Broad Street

• The worship service will feature LaGrange College students leading worship and The Rev. Ashley Jenkins preaching.

Former Olympian Saul Raisin

Tuesday, Oct. 1

11 a.m., Dickson, Turner Hall

• Saul Raisin, a former Olympic athlete who was injured in a cycling accident, will speak to students about his recovery and how his faith has impacted his life. The event is hosted by Sports Management Club and Spiritual Life.

Study Away Opportunities – May 2025

Tuesday, Oct. 1

11 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library

• Students are invited to attend an information session about study away trips in May 2025 to Florence, Italy, and Havana, Cuba.

Kudzu Cleanup

Tuesday, Oct. 1

11:15 a.m., Creek in front of Lamar Dodd

• Students are encouraged to come and help remove kudzu from the area adjacent to the creek in front of the Lamar Dodd Art Center.

Pi Kappa Phi’s Philanthropy – The Ability Experience

Thursday, Oct. 3

11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library

• Pi Kappa Phi presents "The Ability Experience," the fraternity’s national philanthropy that empowers individuals with disabilities. Learn about its impact, where the funds raised go and hear from guest speaker, Mary Beth Pelt, the Miracle League of LaGrange Director and Program Facilitator for The Exceptional Way in LaGrange.

 

October Faculty and Staff Birthdays

1-Jordan Schulte, Admissions

11-Tre’ Sharpe, Admissions

13-Jan Webb, Financial Aid

14-Kelli Tolbert, Residential Life

16-Martha Pirkle, Advancement (Alumni & Community Relations)

16-Dixie Powers, Clinical Mental Health Counseling

22-Curtis Brown, Business Administration & Accountancy

23-Brooke Kinney, Nursing

24-Nikkovia Sweet, Communications & Marketing

27-Christy Vanhoose, Nursing

28-Gretta Milam, Education

30-Kim Pece, Business Office

 

Sports

Football

The Panthers hit the gridiron this week in their first home game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 28, against Methodist University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Callaway Stadium with a "White Out" theme for the home attendees.

Men's Soccer

LC comes up short in its 1-2 losses to William Peace and Berry last weekend. The Panthers have a key match on the docket next week against Covenant. This match opens CCS play for LC as it seeks a big conference win on Monday, Sept. 30. Kickoff for the match is set for 5 p.m.

Senior Robel Teshome was named the Collegiate Conference of the South’s Offensive Player of the Week. He scored two goals in two games for LaGrange this week. Teshome was key to the team’s competitive performances against Berry and William Peace.

Women's Soccer

The Panthers tied 1-1 to Toccoa Falls on Saturday, Sept. 21. The team will be facing off against Covenant on Saturday, Sept. 28, as they travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for their first CCS match of the season. The Panthers will be looking to bounce back after a hard-fought 1-2 loss against Oglethorpe on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

Volleyball

LC fell 0-3 in its matches against Belhaven and Millsaps on Saturday, Sept. 21. The Panthers will host a tri-match on Sunday, Sept. 29, against Asbury and Wesleyan. The team found their rhythm in a tough 2-3 loss at Huntingdon on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and will have their sights set on continuing that momentum on Sunday against two CCS opponents.

Tennis

The Men’s team suffered a 0-7 loss to Pfeiffer and a 2-5 loss to Johnson and Wales on Friday, Sept. 20. The Women’s team took 0-7 losses in its matches against Pfeiffer and Piedmont. Both LC teams will compete against Mississippi University for Women on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Greer Tennis Courts. The match is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. for both squads as they look to cap off the fall warm-up season with a big win.

Men's Golf

LC placed 13th out of 14 schools in the Rhodes Fall Intercollegiate Tournament that was held Sept. 21-22 in Tunica, Mississippi. The team will be back in action again in a couple weeks on Monday, Oct. 7, when they head to Douglasville, Georgia, to compete in the West Pines Fall Invitational, hosted by Oglethorpe University.

Women's Golf

The Panthers are set to travel to Tennessee Wesleyan University to compete in the TWU Fall Invitational Sept. 28-29. The tournament will be held at Kahite National Golf Club in Vonore, Tennessee.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Saturday, Sept. 28 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Mississippi University for Women, 11 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Saturday, Sept. 28 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Mississippi University for Women, 11 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Saturday, Sept. 28 – Football (Home) vs. Methodist, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Saturday, Sept. 28 – Women’s Golf at TWU Fall Invitational, Vonore, Tennessee

Saturday, Sept. 28 – Women’s Soccer at Covenant @Chattanooga Christian School, 6:15 p.m., Chattanooga, Tennessee

Sunday, Sept. 29 – Women’s Golf at TWU Fall Invitational, Vonore, Tennessee

Sunday, Sept. 29 – Volleyball Tri-Match (Home), noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Richter Gym

Monday, Sept. 30 – Men’s Soccer (Home) vs. Covenant, 5 p.m., Panther Field

Tuesday, Oct. 1 – Women’s Soccer at Wesleyan, 7 p.m., Macon, Georgia

Tuesday, Oct. 1 – Volleyball Reserves at Point University, 7 p.m., West Point, Georgia

Thursday, Oct. 3 –Volleyball (Home) vs. Belhaven, 7 p.m., Richter Gym

 

In the Headlines

LaGrange College named a ‘Best Value’ institution, LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 25

LaGrange College welcomes new golf coach onboard, LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 25

Enrollment deadline nears for new spring nursing cohort, LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 24

Category: Academics, College

Keywords: Career, Engineering