Members of the community, Sikeston Public Schools, City of Sikeston, Sikeston Regional Chamber and Three Rivers College pose Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, for a ribbon cutting for the TRC’s Sikeston Technology Lab. Located at 945 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston, the facility is currently home to the Three Rivers Diesel Technology classes. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)
SIKESTON — Members of the community, Three Rivers College, Sikeston Public Schools, City of Sikeston and Sikeston Regional Chamber and Economic Development gathered Wednesday, Sept. 25 for a ribbon cutting ceremony for TRC’s Sikeston Technology Lab.
Located at 945 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston, the facility is currently home to the Three Rivers Diesel Technology classes. At the ribbon cutting, attendees toured the facility, visited with other community members and enjoyed some refreshments.
Dr. Wesley A. Payne, president of Three Rivers College, and Missy Marshall, director of Three Rivers College in Sikeston and Dexter, briefly addressed the crowd.
Attendees of Three Rivers College’s ribbon cutting ceremony for the Sikeston Technology Lab listen as TRC President Dr. Wesley A. Payne (not pictured) speaks Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, from inside the building which is used by students in the Three Rivers Diesel Technology Program. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)
“This has been a long time coming,” Payne said. “We are so proud to bring this program to the community.”
The building opened with the fall 2023 semester; however, Three Rivers officials wanted to take their time in celebrating the new lab with an official ceremony.
“It was almost three years ago that Larry DeWitt and I started talking about this and the needs of the community with Missy (Marshall),” Payne said. “So, having diesel tech here and bringing more programming to the area, I think helps us all be better tomorrow.”
Three Rivers College President Dr. Wesley A. Payne speaks as Missy Marshall, director of Three River College in Sikeston and Dexter, looks on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Three Rivers Sikeston Technology Lab. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)
The two-semester certificate program is offered four evenings a week, Monday through Thursday at the Sikeston lab, which includes classroom equipped with laptop computers and a large indoor work space.
“The diesel technology program trains individuals to work for area employers in the commercial trucking industry,” Marshall explained.
For example, as mechanics/technicians, Marshall said, the training involves computer and hands-on learning experience simulated to what is expected in the changing world of commercial transportation.
Three Rivers College President Dr. Wesley A. Payne speaks as Missy Marshall, director of Three River College in Sikeston and Dexter, left, and Taylor Deere with Sikeston Regional Chamber look on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, during the ribbon cutting ceremony for Three Rivers Sikeston Technology Lab. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)
“We also run our CDL (commercial driver license) training program in the building,” Marshall said. “We have future plans for the building in the agriculture technician field to support the area ag implement businesses.”
In addition to community members, Sikeston High School students participating in this year’s SOAR (Students Observing Area Resources) program were also in attendance for the occasion.
Payne said Three Rivers appreciates all of its partners including TAG Truck Center in Sikeston and DeWitt, who was present for the occasion and a Three River alum.
Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Shannon Holifield talks to Sikeston High School students who are members of SOAR (Students Observing Area Resources) Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, during the ribbon cutting ceremony for Three Rivers Sikeston Technology Lab. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)
Members of the community, Sikeston Public Schools, City of Sikeston, Sikeston Regional Chamber and Three Rivers College gather Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, for a ribbon cutting for the TRC’s Sikeston Technology Lab. Located at 945 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston, the facility is currently home to the Three Rivers Diesel Technology classes. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)
Members of the community, Sikeston Public Schools, City of Sikeston, Sikeston Regional Chamber and Three Rivers College gather Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, for a ribbon cutting for the TRC’s Sikeston Technology Lab. Located at 945 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston, the facility is currently home to the Three Rivers Diesel Technology classes. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)
Members of the community, Sikeston Public Schools, City of Sikeston, Sikeston Regional Chamber and Three Rivers College gather Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, for a ribbon cutting for the TRC’s Sikeston Technology Lab. Located at 945 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston, the facility is currently home to the Three Rivers Diesel Technology classes. (Leonna Heuring/Standard Democrat)
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