MonticelloLive

Automotive technology students at the UAM College of Technology-McGehee will have two new vehicles to study, probe and take apart, thanks to the Ryburn Automotive Superstore of Monticello.

At the request of Bennie Ryburn, III, president and chief executive officer of Ryburn Automotive, Gulf States Toyota presented a 2005 Toyota Camry and Daimler Chrysler Motors, Co., donated a 2007 four-wheel drive Dodge Nitro to the automotive department at UAM’s McGehee campus.

UAM COT-McGehee students will use the vehicles to study all components of automotive technology, including transmission power train, electrical systems, brakes, air conditioning and heating, engine performance, suspension, and steering.

In addition to the vehicles, automotive tech students will have access to online support of vehicle service manuals and the Toyota online curriculum.

“This is a wonderful donation and I want to thank Bennie Ryburn for his help in securing this donation to our automotive technology program,” said Bob Ware, vice chancellor of the McGehee campus. “We will be able to put these vehicles to good use. Automotive technology requires hands-on experience and donations like this one are invaluable to our program.”

Ryburn, who serves on the UAM board of visitors, said the cars are “an investment in the future. Skilled, highly trained automotive mechanics are hard to come by and this program provides invaluable training,” said Ryburn.

Pictured from left are Ben Cazort, automotive tech instructor, Bob Ware, vice chancellor of the McGehee campus, Bennie Ryburn, III, president and CEO of the Ryburn Automotive Superstore, Keith Caldwell, Ryburn service manager, Don Cole, manager of technical capacity for Gulf States Toyota, and Ben Schraegle, Toyota district service manager for Arkansas.