Lexington, SC 01/31/2025 - Carolina Gas Transmission recently presented a generous gift of $14,750 to the Lexington One Educational Foundation. This charitable corporate donation will support the creation of a Mechatronics Engineering Program at the Lexington Technology Center in Lexington County School District One.
The new program is being developed and will first center on aerial and drone technologies. Lexington One students will receive hands-on experience flying drones while studying electronics, aerodynamics, and drone theory. The coursework will prepare them to earn their FAA Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot's License. Through the new Mechatronics Engineering Program, students will also have the opportunity to earn OSHA 10 Safety certifications and study electronics, mechanics, hydraulics, pneumatics, and manufacturing technology.
The Educational Foundation leaders and the LTC leadership team are so appreciative of the Carolina Gas Transmission gift that will ultimately create this new program. Such donations enable Lexington District One to provide valuable career and technical education courses to its students, which better prepare them for the workforce.
LTC Instructor Patrick Martin teaches courses in Engineering Design, Electronics and Drones. He shared, “Our students will be exposed to technology in one of the fastest growing fields right now, which can lead to amazing job opportunities in the future. The Mechatronics program will be beneficial in preparing our students with real-world skills and in serving the needs of our industry partners.”
“We are proud that we were able to support these programs at the Lexington Technology Center to help prepare the next generation of workers.” said Wayne Vermullen, General Manager at Carolina Gas Transmission “Our company employs welders, engineers, and drone operators, and so it may seem self-serving, but in the utility industry we are always looking ahead. We know how important it is that tomorrow’s workforce has experience and is trained on the latest techniques and technology.”
Lexington One Educational Foundation Executive Director Julie Anderson Washburn shared, “We are excited about the corporate partnership with Carolina Gas Transmission and the new aerial and drone technologies Mechatronics Program that will be created at the Lexington Technology Center as a result of this generous gift! Such a program of study will teach our students valuable and marketable STEM skills that will prepare them for a career in mechatronics engineering or related fields.”
Educational courses and offerings in Lexington District One are strengthened by investments made by donors like Carolina Gas Transmission. These relationships are profitable to Lexington District One students and industry partners as they train and build a highly-qualified workforce locally and in our state.
