Missouri Western State University is preparing for the opening of its new Convergent Technology Alliance Center building, now with an official name. Named the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology, this building aims to provide a 20,000-square-foot workforce development laboratory for areas such as manufacturing, construction, cybersecurity and other related industries. The building features five bays dedicated to different areas: manufacturing technology, manufacturing workshop, construction, industrial technology and AI, IT and cyberscience.
The facility is named after Tim Houlne, an alumnus of Missouri Western. The Class of 1986 graduate is now an author and CEO of Humach, a Dallas-based provider of AI technology. “I'm excited and I'm honored and I'm humbled at the same time.
I think this is a big deal for Missouri Western,” Houlne said. The goal of the Houlne Center is to provide students with an outlet for hands-on learning to aid in the job recruitment process after college. Both Houlne and Missouri Western president, Elizabeth Kennedy, say they believe the hands-on approach at the Houlne Center will become a model for other universities in the future.
“I think exposing students to some of the capabilities and having the ability to put their hands on it and learn is really the future, “ Houlne said. “(It will) probably give (students) some insight into what they want to do with their career.” Houlne’s $3 million donation to the CTAC building is the third largest donation in Missouri Western history.
“Tim is the epitome of what a successful alumni is for the university,” Kennedy said. “His gift has really helped us to move this facility forward.” Western partnered with industry professionals to equip the facility with state-of-the-art machinery allowing a shorter on-the-job training period.
With the addition of the Houlne Center, Missouri Western is one of eight universities with this kind of cybersecurity lab. Western will also be partnering with North Central Missouri College to bring more opportunities to students as well. Kennedy said she’s excited to see the students' endless possibilities after completing the program.
“Someone who's going into manufacturing, construction, industrial technology or cybersecurity, to have that knowledge about how to do something, not just what it is, is critical for success on the job,” she said. Kennedy also said the student demand is there. So far, 75 students are enrolled in the engineering technology program and numbers are growing in the cybersecurity program.
“I anticipate our cybersecurity in a couple of years will be up to 200 students. Those programs grow very quickly,” Kennedy said. Kennedy thanked a long list of contributors, such as elected officials, the City of St.
Joseph, Buchanan County, American Rescue Plan Act funds, the St. Joseph School District and more. Houlne encourages current students to follow their passions when it comes to their careers.
“Look at what career jobs are available and try to design your path that way,” he said. “If you can find something that excites you in an area or expertise that you want to evolve in.”.
