AIKEN, S.C. (May 10, 2023) — Savannah River Mission Completion (SRMC), the liquid waste contractor at the Savannah River Site, has provided a $10,000 gift to Denmark Technical College (DTC) for the purchase of various electromechanical equipment to improve student training.
SRMC President and Program Manager Dr. Dave Olson received a demonstration of the college’s plans to use the equipment with students during his recent visit to the campus. At that visit, he also presented to students on the topic of transitioning from college to the workforce. His presentation and the equipment further demonstrate SRMC’s dedication to terms of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help boost the school’s teaching of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses.
Dr. Olson said the intent is to help students prepare for a rewarding career after graduation.
“We want every student to receive the education and training they need to be successful,” Olson said. “This gift to the school will offer the chance for many students to experience situations that they could potentially encounter in their jobs.”
DTC President Dr. Willie Todd said the materials purchased will be used for hands-on training in two Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses. The PLTW program’s training and resources support teachers in pre-K through high school to engage students in real-world learning in engineering, computer science, and biomedical science.
“In South Carolina, colleges and universities accept high school PLTW courses as college equivalent,” Dr. Todd said. “Denmark Tech has taken it a step further by signing up as the PLTW representative for the counties that we serve. These courses are being offered as dual enrollment on campus and in local high schools, providing opportunities for students to get a jump start on their college course work and career path in a wide variety of STEM fields.”
SRMC’s gift enabled the purchase of equipment that will specifically support training in Digital Electronics and Computer Integrated Manufacturing.
Said Dr. Olson: “Our overall goal is to help these students grow and enter the workforce as valuable employees. The training and hands-on experience they receive through Denmark Technical College, along with presentations such as the one I delivered, will combine to help them gain a greater understanding and become better problem-solvers in their careers.”
Located in Denmark, South Carolina, DTC is the state’s only historically black technical college. SRMC and DTC signed their MOU in July 2022.
SRMC comprises parent company BWX Technologies, Inc. with partners Amentum and Fluor. Its team brings the capabilities necessary to accelerate cleanup at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site through safe nuclear operations, optimized and integrated mission execution, and strong corporate governance.
DTC President Dr. Willie Todd (left) and SRMC President and Program Manager Dave Olson review some of the equipment purchased for STEM students, made possible by a gift from SRMC.