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Higher Education Literally Comes to Bluffton

By JUSTIN PEEPER
Education is on the move at Ivy Tech State College, literally.
And it’s right here in Bluffton.
Ivy Tech has a mobile training lab, and it has found a new home for the time being at the Nazarene Church on Bluffton’s south side.
Ten students from Wells County are now taking a three credit hour programmable logic controllers class in the 60-foot long mobile unit.
Many of the students taking the 12-week class live in Wells County and work at Bluffton industries, such as Peytons and Poore Brothers.
The class counts toward their degree or certification.
The mobile classroom, located behind the church, will be in Bluffton all summer and possibly longer if students enroll in fall classes, according to Cal Towne, who teaches classes in Bluffton’s mobile unit.
Inside the mobile unit lie 15 brand-new computers and programmable logic controller work stations.
Also in the classroom on wheels are six pick and place devices and six trouble shooting training centers.
The unit is fully heated and air-conditioned with skylights, recessed lighting, whiteboard, an overhead projector and screen, speakers, a VCR and storage space.
Towne said the mobile classroom offers students the same features they have access to at Ivy Tech.
The lab arrived in Bluffton at the end of May because of an interest for Ivy Tech classes in Wells County.
Towne, who lives in Bluffton and has taught classes at Ivy Tech for 15 years, suggested the mobile unit be located at the Nazarene church after he cleared it with the church’s board.
Anyone can sign up for classes in Bluffton, and the charge for Ivy Tech classes is around $76 per credit, Towne said.
Fall classes begin in September and will be offered in Bluffton if enough students enroll.
Some of the current courses offered in manufacturing/industrial technology at Ivy Tech that could be taught in Bluffton in the future include basic electricity (MIT 113), PLC I & II (MIT 205 and 206), computer fundamentals for technology (TEC 104), machinery handbook (MTT 104), introduction to blue print reading (MIT 102) and electrical circuits (IMT 207).
CAD classes could also be taught if an interest develops.
The mobile training lab will travel to various locations in Adams, Wells, Huntington, Whitley, Noble, LaGrange, Steuben and DeKalb counties.
Towne said anyone interested in taking classes at Ivy Tech should contact the college.