DC3 marks opening of Automotive Technology Center

A day of celebration and remembrance added to a ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of the Dodge City Community College Automotive Technology Center on Aug. 28.

Speakers praised the importance of technical programs and remembered the late Jeffrey Cole who never wavered in his support for an automotive technology program that could benefit students and local communities.

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-KS, said that since he joined Congress one of his missions is to encourage young people to consider staying or returning to rural communities.

For too many years, people underestimated what technical programs mean to rural communities, he said. The skills students learned are needed in all communities—large or small, he said. The message to young people often is for them to better themselves they need to get a college degree or a trade skill and then move away.

However, in recent years Moran has seen a change.

Today, leaders in school districts, colleges and local cities have dedicated themselves to providing education opportunities that incentivizes students to have a career in their local community.

Moran said Dodge City Community College’s automotive technology program is a prime example because in rural communities nearly everyone has a vehicle that requires a skilled technician to take care of it. He added skilled technicians in many vocations are needed in virtually every community. When those skilled technicians stay home it’s a win for rural communities, he added.

“It’s all about keeping the American dream alive,” Moran said.

Dodge City Community College President Harold Nolte called it an exciting time to be at the college and said the program had three outstanding instructors to teach students. The program has 31 students enrolled.

Clayton Tatro, vice president of workforce development, said it was gratifying to see the commitment made to improve opportunities for students and the communities they chose to live in will be well served.

Board of Trustees Chairman Gary Harshberger said at one time the college shut down the automotive program, but the trustees and administration several years ago committed themselves to restarting the program. “The community said we need this program.”

Cole’s influence was large

Tatro, Nolte and Harshberger said it would not have occurred without the leadership of Cole, a professor of diesel technology who had a wealth of knowledge about the automotive side.

Harshberger said in the early stages of restarting the program it included information gathering and someone who could be a cornerstone.

“We needed a gem and that gem was Jeff,” Harshberger said. “I wished he could be here to see all this.”

The shop had multiple bays with space to accommodate vehicles, SUVs, vans and pickups with a large tool room.

Tatro said Cole was driven to see a successful program. In the Aug. 28 program under it noted the automotive technology program is designed to equip students with advanced diagnostic and repair skills through hands-on learning. Students will study engine repair and diagnostics, transmission systems, brake systems, suspension and steering, electrical systems, ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems. The college offers an associate of applied science degree and certificate program to help meet different educational needs.

Tatro remembered Cole’s commitment, starting first with general conversations that became more detailed notes. Hand-drawn sketches became more refined and became a blue-print that ultimately reached the request for proposal stage.

The vision of Cole was in every step, Tatro said, calling it a successful private-public partnership. Tatro also thanked USD 443, which invested $400,000.

Retired Dodge City Superintendent Fred Dierksen, who attended the ceremony, said the program helps high school students who have an interest in automotive technology as a career.

“It was win-win for us,” Dierksen said about the shared arrangement that benefited students, district and the college.

Harshberger said the automotive technology program was the latest example of the board and administration making a commitment to having a college that can prepare students to attend a university or to get a technical education. In either case the commitments are designed to help educate young people and to stay in their local communities.

Cole was a 17-year employee at the college and was preparing to lead the college’s program that actually began in August 2024, about a week after his death following a battle with cancer.

On behalf of his family, Cole’s daughter, Audree Worth, of Jetmore, wrote a heart-filled message that Tatro read. In the statement, she thanked administrators, board trustees and colleagues for their support of her father and the program.

“Jeff was proud to be a part of the DC3 family,” the statement concluded.

Moran offered his support to Cole’s family during and after the ribbon cutting. He said everybody has an educator who took an interest in his or her life and that commitment made a difference.

Before the ribbon cutting, a framed picture of Jeffrey Cole was unveiled, and Tatro told the large crowd that it was to be placed where visitors, students and teachers could see it.

Tatro said it was fitting, too, because Cole was a great teacher and administrator.

“He was prepared. He was reliable. He was dependable,” Tatro said. “He did what it took to get the job done.”

When it came time to cut the ribbon, Tatro made sure the family could be seen in the front row. (At top) U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran cuts a ribbon with assistance from Tatro (immediately left) and Harshberger (immediately right) and also included Worth holding a photo of her late dad, Jeffrey Cole.

The ribbon cutting was sponsored by the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or [email protected].