Kirtland Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Matt LaFontaine Automotive Technology Center
On April 20, Kirtland Community College hosted a ribbon cutting and dedication event to commemorate its new automotive lab at its Grayling Campus. The high-tech lab is officially named the Matt LaFontaine Automotive Technology Center in recognition of the Automotive Group’s $50,000 donation that will fund scholarships for Kirtland’s automotive technology students for years to come.
Matt and Christine LaFontaine, owners of the Matt LaFontaine Automotive Group, operate dealerships and service centers in three northern Michigan locations, two of which are in Grayling.
“Being a part of helping others in partnership with Kirtland Community College is an opportunity that makes us very proud, especially in the field of skilled trades,” states Matt LaFontaine. “[Christine and I] both know this is one of the most rewarding sectors in the United States and the programs that Kirtland has committed to are some of the best in the country and we are very excited to watch this grow.”
Kirtland’s Automotive Technology Program has been a leader in producing high-quality automotive technicians for decades. The Matt LaFontaine Automotive Technology Center features the equipment and tools essential for training future technicians and expands the program’s legacy of quality training in the skilled trades. Students learn through a mix of classroom and hands-on experiences to ensure that they are prepared to enter the current industry and exceed expectations in the future.
Dedication to quality and distinction is easy to see. Kirtland’s program is accredited by the Automotive Service Excellence Foundation (ASE), ensuring that the program continually evolves to meet emerging industry needs.
“The industry changes all of the time–new technologies, new practices–so, we make sure that we’re teaching students how to adapt and continue learning for the long-run,” says Kirtland’s lead automotive instructor, Bob Oakes. “We get to do really cool things every day, and we get to work on vehicles and their parts in an amazing facility. But, that’s only part of the equation. The rest of my job is to challenge students in their problem solving, work ethic, and drive to be the best they can.”
Kirtland’s Automotive Technology program is one of only a hundred nationally and only five in Michigan, that embeds Chrysler’s MOPAR Career Automotive Program into its program. That means that graduates will be certified Level 1 MOPAR technicians upon completing their associate degrees. This additional industry certification yields improved career earnings and hiring potential, and it demonstrates that Kirtland grads are a notch above other candidates.
The Matt LaFontaine Automotive Technology Center’s ribbon cutting event included comments from College President Tom Quinn, Foundation Director Dave Lepper, Matt and Christine LaFontaine, and faculty lead Bob Oakes. The College’s 23 automotive technology students also attended the dedication, along with other College and community leaders.
“This is a really special occasion. Because of the generosity of community members like the LaFontaines, the College now offers nearly 100 Foundation scholarships to students,” notes David Lepper, Director of The Kirtland Foundation. “These financial commitments make education and training accessible for our local communities and are essential to strengthening Northern Michigan. I am so thankful for the LaFontaines’ commitment. Their gift will literally change the lives of future automotive technology students.”
More information about Kirtland Community College’s Automotive Technology Program can be found at kirtland.edu/automotive-technology-degrees. For more information about MOPAR’s Career Automotive Program, visit mopar.com. To learn about how to contribute to The Kirtland Foundation and support student scholarships or College activities, visit kirtland.edu/foundation.
