Diesel tech lab and classroom named in honor of Roland family

LLCC announced a major gift from Roland Machinery Co. of Springfield to LLCC’s new diesel technologies program yesterday. The college has named the diesel technologies lab and classroom in honor of the Roland family.

“We are here to celebrate the incredible support of a local company and our continuing partnership that will impact the future of our local workforce,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC. “Roland Machinery Company has been with us from the beginning, as we explored the idea of offering a diesel technologies program, assisting in developing the curriculum and providing support that ensured our program would succeed.

“I’m happy to announce that Roland has, and will continue to provide, over the next five years, more than $500,000 in equipment, scholarships and support for our diesel technologies program. To the Roland Family: the impact of your support will resonate throughout our first class and many to come, as they train to enter this high-demand career field. Our local employers will benefit by hiring trained and work-ready graduates.”

Matt Roland, president of Roland Machinery Co., commented, “We are proud to be a partner with LLCC in the creation of this new diesel technologies program. The highly trained young adults that graduate from this program will have great opportunities in the construction, agriculture and on-road truck industries.”

“Today, there are over 75,000 open diesel technician positions across the country, 400 of them right here in central Illinois,” said Dan Smith, vice president/general manager, product support at Roland. He told the first class of LLCC diesel technologies students, “What you will learn here, both personally and professionally, will serve you very well for whatever life brings you.”

Twenty students make up the inaugural class in the LLCC diesel tech program. “I am proud to be a diesel tech student here at LLCC’s Workforce Institute, and I am so appreciative to have support from local businesses like Roland,” said Erin Barrick, who will become a fourth-generation owner of her family’s trucking company. “I appreciate this opportunity to thank Roland for supporting the diesel program and providing such great resources to help us with our education and our futures.”

The dedication plaque outside the diesel technologies lab in the LLCC Workforce Careers Center reads: “In recognition of Roland Machinery Company, who provides services to the heavy equipment construction industry. Roland Machinery is committed to providing the Midwest construction industry with highly skilled diesel technicians for years to come. As a family owned Springfi­eld company since 1958, Roland Machinery’s generous support of the community continues at Lincoln Land Community College. This Diesel Technologies Lab and Classroom honor the Roland Family, who are dedicated to strengthening the LLCC Diesel Program, providing new opportunities to those in the diesel industry, and supporting LLCC students.”