Western Hosts Governor Gordon

Western Wyoming Community College (Western) welcomed Governor Mark Gordon last Wednesday, November 29, at the Rock Springs campus. The Governor’s visit marked several events including a town hall meeting on mental health and a Western sponsored Governor’s luncheon at the Workforce Training Center with a presentation on the Powerline Program.  

At the town hall meeting Governor Gordon, Representative Lloyd Larsen, and the Department of Family Services Director Korin Schmidt participated on a panel discussing current mental health care in the state. The Governor addressed the 988 Bill with emphasis on callers being able to speak to someone from the state of Wyoming. Discussion continued around Title 25 and where the state is hoping to lay a foundation for local municipalities to take over. Following the discussion, the floor was opened to the public. Various members of the community shared their experiences with mental healthcare in Sweetwater County. 

Following the meeting, the Governor, state representatives, community leaders, and others moved to Western’s Workforce Training Center for a luncheon and presentation of Western’s Powerline Technology program. Funded by the Governor’s statewide economic initiative, the Wyoming Innovation Partnership, Western launched the first and only program of its kind in Wyoming.  Governor Gordon and community leaders had an opportunity to hear from Powerline Technology instructor Lance Caldwell, as well as students from the program. 

Western’s President Kim Dale stated, “Western, its students, communities, local businesses, and industries, are very fortunate to have an opportunity like this to develop a statewide program that will lead to high wage, high skill, and high demand jobs.  We are grateful for the Governor’s support as well as the support of our local businesses, such as Rocky Mountain Power.  The fact that most of our Powerline graduates plan to live and work in Wyoming is an outcome we can all feel proud of.”  

Powerline course material and lab activities are based around the application and theory of distribution and transmission of electrical power. Fieldwork includes operating a digger derrick truck, setting poles, climbing poles, installing anchors, and stringing conductors. Students also learn the importance of safety and attention to detail.  

To learn more about Western’s Powerline program contact Instructor Lance Caldwell at 307-382-1743 or email lcaldwell@westernwyoming.edu. You can review the program academic page at westernwyoming.edu/powerline.