Tucumcari, N.M.-based Mesalands Community College is reporting that 32 students have enrolled in its wind energy technology program. The majority of the students are from New Mexico, and others are from Arizona, California, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, New York, Kansas and Texas.
Students enrolled in this first semester of classes will be able to observe the construction of the college's 1.5 MW wind turbine being installed yards from the classroom. The turbine, dubbed ‘the tallest classroom in the world,’ is a commercial capacity unit manufactured by GE that has education and training as its primary purpose.
‘We are excited about this new program at Mesalands and the bright future it promises to those who complete the two-year program successfully,’ says Tracy Rascoe, wind energy technology director/instructor, who brings years of experience in the wind industry to the table, having worked in maintenance, management and as a trainer prior to joining the faculty at Mesalands.
Construction has started on campus with excavation and the construction of the footings and foundation for the turbine tower. Plans are to have the turbine producing power on the grid by early November.
SOURCE: Mesalands Community College
