$100,000 Google grant to fund technology improvements

COUNCIL BLUFFS  -  The Google Data Centers Grants Fund of Tides Foundation has announced a $100,000 grant award to Iowa Western Community College.

The grant will enable Iowa Western to outfit a lab for the Computer Information Technology Department with equipment and network services to enhance the college’s ability to prepare students for careers in Information Technology.

“We greatly appreciate that the Google Data Centers Grants Fund of Tides Foundation has made this generous gift to support the expansion and improvement of our Information Technology Department,” said Dr. Dan Kinney, president of Iowa Western.
“These funds will enable the college to purchase technology equipment to enhance the quality of our curriculum and the learning experience of our students. We will be able to better assist our students as they prepare for careers in the Computer Information Technology field.”

Specifically, the grant will cover costs for a dedicated high speed Internet connection for the department, a new set of servers, construction of a server room, post racks and additional wireless access points.

William Barrett, program chair for Computer Information Technology at Iowa Western, said the donation will enable the college to expand and enhance its dedicated computer lab environment and will promote effective student learning through state-of-the-art environmental and equipment upgrades. These funds will also support the addition of classes in Data Base Administration, Virtualization, Servers, Storage Technology, and Wireless Technology in order to meet identified industry needs.

“Because of the support from Google, our Computer Information Technology students will be able to achieve a quality post-secondary education at Iowa Western in preparation for employment in high-demand information technology fields,” Barrett said.