The best automotive program in the nation, here at SIUC, welcomed two quality car donations in August.

Two 1999 Lincoln Continental Town Cars will be a benefit to the education of students this year.

The Lincolns are well-rounded cars, they are fully equipped with things we need to work on, said Brian Sommers, a junior in automotive technology from Peoria.

Automotive technology students were pleased to receive the donations from Ford Motor Company. They believe the recent donations, along with others made during the year, will keep them up to speed with technology.

These donations are really good for the program, we need them. They make a huge difference and keep us up with changing technology, said Sommers.

Through the years, cars have been donated by Ford Motor Company, Chrysler, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Lexus, Toyota and almost every other manufacturer in the country. The cars are taken apart and worked on by students in a classroom setting.

The donations made to SIUC each year total more than $300,000 in cars and parts.

Donors have been friendly with SIUC automotive technology students, especially ones they want to hire, said Jack Greer, chairman of automotive technology. Last year, the Ford Motor Company hired seven SIUC graduates.

I recently took a trip to Detroit and met with Rick Bonifas from Ford,” Greer said. “He asked what he could do for SIUC, and I told him to send us cars that’s what he did.”

As a result of all the donations, SIUC students believe they are better equipped for the future.

Sterling, a senior in automotive technology from Breese, has already landed a job to spark his career with the help of SIUC’s nationally recognized automotive program, professors and car donations.

The donations play a big role and give students the most up-to-date technology available, said Sterling. I have worked with some really cool stuff including a heads-up display feature in newer cars.

In comparison to other schools and because of new donations, SIUC students feel that they have a head start on their careers.

Most other shops are outdated. They work with 1989-90 model cars. Ours are brand new and well equipped, said Dennis Ryan, a sophomore in automotive technology from Elmhurst.

The new equipment saves us valuable time and gives us good experience for our futures.