High-tech Labs Put Kirkwood Students Further Ahead of the Competition
Kirkwood Community College’s newly renovated Jones Hall positions students ahead of the competition in the high-tech world of industrial technology. It’s not just the growth from 55,250 square feet to the now 85,250 square feet that sets the facility apart, but it’s the changes made to the individual areas of the building.
All of the Industrial Technology classes are finally housed on Kirkwood’s main campus. Until now masonry students had to take classes at Hawkeye Downs. They now have an area in Jones Hall to perfect their trade. Not only are they learning in one centralized place, but they’re building things on campus too. They’re constructing a security wall around part of Jones Hall and will be working with Kirkwood Facilities on projects for the Agricultural Sciences department as well.
“It’s great to finally have all of our students here, not only on campus, but really centrally located here. It not only help[s with their learning, but helps us connect better with them too,” said Industrial Technologies Dean Phil Thomas. “Having all of the skilled trades here in Jones Hall really helps the students network better across all of the different programs.”
The HVAC and Plumbing classes moved into Jones Hall from the Ag building. The plumbing lab, with some help from Kirkwood’s Construction Management students, now has a mezzanine, wall and complete bathroom built in. That allows students to completely install pipes and make plumbing repairs.
The new welding lab has more welding booths allowing more students to work at once. Students can now weld outdoors, something the industry often demands, and now Kirkwood can meet. Students will also be able to bring larger welding projects indoors with the new space.
“In the past our building didn’t have a good flow to it and students had to leave just to find a place to study. That’s not the case anymore. We’ve even brought some of the general education classes into our facility,” added Thomas.
Every room in the building had some remodeling. Students now have two commons areas for studying, reading and socializing. It’s a drastic improvement from the four tables that sat next to a vending machine just a few months ago. Artwork throughout the building, including a brick mural depiction of a Grant Wood painting, represents the past of industrial technology and where it’s heading in the future.
Jones Hall was built in 1977 and has only seen one renovation in the early 80s. This remodel started in the spring of 2008 and finished on August 1st of this year. The new addition and 30,000 feet of interior renovations were paid for by a bond revenue and the Kirkwood Bond Levy, the same one that voters just renewed Tuesday night with an overwhelming 70% yes vote.