WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) today celebrated the naming of the Kenworth Heavy Truck Lab, one of several state-of-the-art spaces created through the $3 million renovation of the Automotive Center completed in 2024. The lab naming recognizes the significant partnership between WSU Tech and Wichita Kenworth, Inc. (WKI Kenworth), which has provided major in-kind contributions and created an endowed scholarship to support future students. 

The renovated Automotive Center modernized 30,000 square feet of instructional space and expanded capacity to serve nearly 50 additional students each year. Within that transformation, the Kenworth Heavy Truck Lab now stands as a centerpiece for the college’s Mobile Equipment program, which launched in 2024 to prepare students for careers operating, maintaining, and repairing heavy equipment in industries like construction, agriculture, and transportation. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 21,700 openings each year. 

“Kenworth’s partnership exemplifies how business and education work together to create opportunity for students and strengthen our regional workforce,” said Dr. Sheree Utash, president of WSU Tech. “By naming one of our renovated labs the Kenworth Heavy Truck Lab, we are recognizing both their generosity and the way their investment builds on the $3 million renovation to provide our students with hands-on, real-world learning.” 

Kenworth’s support includes major equipment donations such as: 

  • A 2019 Kenworth truck 
  • A 2022 Cummins engine 
  • A 2018 T270 Kenworth chassis and frame 
  • Multiple diesel engine components 

In addition, WKI Kenworth has established an endowed scholarship dedicated to Mobile Equipment students, with the first award scheduled for 2026. 

“We are proud to partner with WSU Tech in preparing the next generation of technicians,” said Brad Adams, Dealer Principal WKI Kenworth. “The heavy truck industry depends on highly skilled professionals, and this lab — along with the broader Automotive Center renovation — ensures students are training on the same equipment they’ll see in the field. Supporting this program is an investment in both our workforce and our community.” 

For more information about WSU Tech’s Mobile Equipment program, visit wsutech.edu/automotive 

About WSU Tech  

As Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, WSU Tech stands at the forefront of modern technical education in Kansas, offering over 100 degree and certificate options. These programs cover critical fields such as aviation, health care, manufacturing, design, information technology, police science, culinary arts, business, and more. WSU Tech operates four campuses and serves as the managing partner of the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) in Wichita, KS—a city known for its high concentration of STEM jobs. 

 

In 2018, Wichita State University, Kansas’ urban public research hub, affiliated with WSU Tech, enhancing the institution’s student-centered focus and aligning with Wichita State’s dedication to innovation and applied learning. This partnership has created a comprehensive educational environment that supports student achievement and meets the evolving needs of industries in the urban heart of Kansas and beyond. 

 

Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and as a Kansas Board of Regents institution, WSU Tech upholds high academic standards and equips students with the skills necessary for lifelong success and career readiness. 

 

For more information on how WSU Tech shapes the future of technical education and contributes to the workforce in Kansas and beyond, please visit www.WSUTECH.edu.