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CNC Machining Innovation Lab Supports
the U.S. Navy and Industry
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Featuring state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology, the CNC Machining Innovation Lab will support private industry through testing services and process optimization services. It will also help the U.S. Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence create world-leading additive manufacturing “recipes” for the development of parts needed by the U.S. military.
"IALR is simultaneously contributing to our nation’s defense and supporting current, new and prospective companies in Southern Virginia with needed services.” – Telly Tucker, IALR President
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CEA Roadmap Strategy to Guide Industry Growth
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Several partner organizations recently completed the development of a strategic roadmap regarding the economic growth potential for the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) industry in the Commonwealth of Virginia, specifically in the 15 localities within GO Virginia Region 3.
"Building on the current strength of the region, this roadmap outlines several crucial steps we can take to advance the CEA industry.” — Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President of Applied Research, IALR
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Conference Center Leader to Retire
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After 20 years of exceptional service to IALR, Leslie Dobbins has announced her retirement from her position as Vice President of the Institute Conference Center, effective Jan. 31, 2024. Dobbins’ commitment to excellence has helped elevate the Institute Conference Center (ICC) to one of Southern Virginia's most prestigious meeting and event destinations.
“For over 20 years it has never felt like work because I absolutely love what I do every day. I believe in the mission, and I am beyond grateful to have had this incredible opportunity to work with so many capable and dedicated individuals.” - Leslie Dobbins, Vice President of the Institute Conference Center, IALR
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IALR to Bolster Agribusiness Support,
Research with Recent Grants
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Recent grant awards from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will allow IALR to increase support for agribusinesses in Southern Virginia and conduct critical research in the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector.
These funds will allow IALR to develop a food hub initiative, offer affordable CEA testing services and research the impact of beneficial bacteria.
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National Apprenticeship Week Celebrations
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Earlier this month, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and IALR celebrated National Apprenticeship Week with a “Youth Can Do It” event, spotlighting the benefits of apprenticeship and celebrating the students, employers and educational partners involved in Southern Virginia apprenticeships.
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During National Apprenticeship Week 2023, IALR also acknowledged some of the organizations providing quality registered apprenticeship opportunities in Southern Virginia. Staff “popped in” on several of these partners to provide them with their 2023 ExTRA Awards. (ExTRA stands for Expanding Talent through Registered Apprenticeships).
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New Podcast Episodes Highlighting Apprenticeships and
Danville Community College Partnership
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Danville Community College President Dr. Jerry Wallace and IALR President Telly Tucker discuss the ways that IALR and DCC collaborate on many key initiatives and programs and jointly support economic development.
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Apprenticeships - a Pipeline of Skilled Talent
Discover the impact of apprenticeships in Southern Virginia through a conversation with IALR Advanced Learning Apprenticeship Coordinator Natori Neal, Danville Life Saving Crew Chief Executive Officer Johnny Mills and Outreach Recruiting and Training Manager, Jamie Lynn Lindley, of Comfort Systems USA MidAtlantic.
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- Learn more about the impact IALR makes in Southern Virginia with a free guided tour on December 5. Participants receive a free "swag bag" of IALR-branded gear.
- The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning has two upcoming workshops designed to help you enhance your skills and explore new interests: Etching Workshop (Dec. 9) and Intro to ChatGPT (Dec. 12).
- Develop your computer skills at one of the upcoming computer workshops at IALR. Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel for budgets and more on Dec. 7, or learn to make great graphic designs with Canva on Dec. 12.
- Are you ready to make an impact in Southern Virginia? IALR is hosting open interview days for both the Dan River Year and Public Health AmeriCorps programs on Dec. 7 and Dec. 11.
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IALR Collaborates with AgroSpheres
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Abigail Alderson is a Research Assistant for IALR and Narges Reiahisamani is a Plant Molecular Biologist for AgroSpheres. Using IALR facilities and equipment, the pair are conducting research for AgroSpheres, a Charlottesville-based company focused on environmentally friendly crop protection products that utilize RNAi.
“Sharing our research capabilities and state-of-the-art equipment and spaces with companies like AgroSpheres is a way to contribute to industry growth, bring new companies into Southern Virginia and drive economic transformation.” - Dr. Scott Lowman, Vice President, Applied Research, IALR
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Senator Tim Kaine Visits IALR
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U.S. Senator Tim Kaine spent much of Nov. 13 at IALR, meeting with regional leaders and touring the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program and the Center for Manufacturing Advancement, which houses the Navy’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.
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High School Students Experience Plant Sciences,
Robotics with IALR SMART Tables
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To give students a hands-on introduction to plant and computer science concepts, IALR recently installed a SMART Table at Hargrave Military Academy. This is part of a long-term goal to utilize these plant imaging platforms as an educational tool.
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IALR Employee Serving on National HTEC Council
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Amanda Hylton, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives within IALR’s Manufacturing Advancement division, was recently elected to the National Haas Technical Educators Community (HTEC) Council. The HTEC Council promotes and advances manufacturing productivity through excellence in manufacturing education.
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Great News from Across Southern Virginia
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- Circ, a circular fashion technology company based in Danville, was a finalist for the EarthShot Prize. Circ has collaborated with IALR's Applied Research team and used office and lab space on IALR's campus.
- Tyson Foods opened a new $300 million fully-cooked food production facility in Danville that will employ approximately 400 people. It is one of the company’s most-automated plants to date, marking the deployment of innovation pilots and prototypes at scale.
- IperionX has received a $12.7 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Defense to expand its titanium recycling demonstration plant in South Boston, a step toward bolstering the nation’s supply chain for the defense industry. The company is expected to employ more than 100 workers within three years.
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ATDM Graduates 53, Brings in 78 New Students
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The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program graduated 53 students earlier this month. These students gained the necessary skills to enter a career in one of five fields: welding, CNC machining, non-destructive testing, additive manufacturing and quality control inspection (metrology). A new cohort of 78 students from all over the country began the program after Thanksgiving.
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Successful Wonder Community Events
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This month, members of the Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning created Christmas cards using the Cricut, learning how to use the machine's cut and drawing functions and apply an insert layer to give more color to their design. In the Excel Basics workshop, members learned how to create conditional formats, filters, drop-down selections and how to duplicate sheets while keeping their formats.
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