An alumnus from Arkansas State University-Newport’s (ASUN) Energy Control Technology program recently donated an air conditioning unit to the program to help further student success, according to a release from ASUN.
Gary Toney works for the City of Jonesboro’s Engineering Department. As a graduate of the Energy Control Technology program at ASUN-Marked Tree, Toney and his wife Anita decided they wanted to give back to the program that helped give him his start.
”I really enjoyed the program and got a lot out of it,” Toney said. “I’ve been wanting to do something for a long time that would benefit everyone in the program.”
This piece of equipment will be utilized by ASUN’s Energy Control Technology students to sharpen their skills and better understand the types of units they may see after entering the workforce. Toney serves on an advisory board for ASUN and said it’s beneficial to get hands-on training.
“I thought about doing a scholarship for students in the program but realized I could do a donation like this that would give all students in the program a chance to learn,” Toney said.
The Toney’s partnered with Mark Morris from Mark Morris Construction, Fonda Eaton with FAE Properties, LLC and Midsouth Distributing USA to donate the 407c outdoor air conditioning unit.
Pictured from left to right: Teriann Turner, ASUN advancement officer; Mark Constant, advanced instructor of Energy Control Technology; Gary Toney, ASUN alumnus; Mark Morris, Mark Morris Construction; Matt Getman, instructor of Energy Control Technology / Image via ASUN
Morris builds houses in Jonesboro and said he is always working to make houses more efficient.
“I felt like donating to the technical college could help in the mission to build more efficient homes as well as help to give back to the community,” Morris said.
The Energy Control Technology program prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, install, service and maintain the operating conditions of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Emphasis is placed on the repair and installation of residential and commercial heating and cooling systems.
Students who have completed the program have been employed by companies like Nestlé, Ritter Communications, Butterball LLC, public school systems, and commercial and residential air conditioning contractors.
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