Terracon Foundation awards grant to CCCC

The Terracon Foundation announced a $3,500 University Grant to Cloud County Community College’s Wind Energy Technology Program. The grant will be used to purchase updated climbing gear that will allow students pursuing careers in the wind power sector to be protected as they learn to maintain local wind towers.

Founded in 1965, Cloud County Community College (CCCC) serves the educational needs of 12 counties in North Central Kansas. The college offers more than 30 distinct academic areas of interest, including wind technology. CCCC is the only college in Kansas offering an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology, and the only college in the nation with comprehensive Blade Repair and Substation Technician programs. Additionally, CCCC provides students with hands-on experience with its two-turbine farm and partnership with the Meridian Way Wind Farm just eight miles from campus.

“Safety is the foundation of everything we do at Terracon,” said Deana Ruud, director of external communications in Terracon’s Olathe, Kansas office, who championed the grant. “We are pleased to purchase needed climbing equipment for students at both CCCC locations. By providing the funds, the Renewable Energy Program will no longer need to share equipment between the two sites and will provide a safe learning environment for students. The CCCC program is unique, and we are proud to support the students leading the future of the power generation and transmission industry.”

Deana (Wilson) Ruud is a 1997 graduate of CCCC, and member of the women’s basketball team. In 2015 she was inducted into the Could County Athletics Hall of Fame, having graduated as the women’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She currently serves on the CCCC Foundation Board.

For more information about Cloud County Community College’s renewable energy programs, visit

cloud.edu/academics/fields-of-study/renewable-energy/.

To date, the Terracon Foundation has granted more than $3 million to community organizations, universities, dependents of employees, and for disaster relief efforts. For more information about the Terracon Foundation and other organizations it has supported, visit terracon.com/foundation.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 5,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon ranks 22nd on Engineering News-Record’s 2020 list of Top 500 Design Firms. For additional information about Terracon, visit terracon.com.