Officials of LLCC and the Springfield Airport Authority, along with Dick Levi of Levi, Ray and Shoup, Inc., assisted LLCC aviation student Lukas Keck in cutting the ribbon to the new Levi, Ray and Shoup, Inc. Aviation Center at LLCC yesterday. The new center, located at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, was made possible by an $850,000 gift from Mr. Levi. A number of elected officials, including Governor Bruce Rauner, State Senator Bill Brady, State Representative Tim Butler and Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder attended the ceremony. WICS, FOX55, WAND, WCIA, Access 4 and IIS covered the event.

“Mr. Levi recognized that expanding and modernizing our aviation center would allow more students to receive hands on, technical job training in the repair and maintenance of aircraft, leading to rewarding and in-demand careers,” said LLCC President Charlotte Warren, Ph.D.  “Our entire community benefits from more students trained for more local jobs.”

Dennis Shackelford, chair of the LLCC Board of Trustees, added, “Students in the LLCC aviation program have a nearly 100 percent job placement rate. With an expected high turnover in the field due to retirements, we anticipate great opportunities for our graduates over the next two decades. We’re proud to offer them a state-of-the-art facility in which to learn.”

The ribbon cutting was preceded by an open house, during which LLCC aviation mechanics students and instructors guided visitors through the center.