LETU Wins John Deere Grants Totaling $14,000

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University in Longview recently received two grants totaling $14,000 to provide for five student scholarships and to acquire the VineUp software to facilitate a pilot mentoring program between John Deere employees and LETU students. Seven LETU engineering alumni who currently work at John Deere have volunteered to participate, according to Paul Boggs, director of LETU’s Office of Sponsored Programs. LETU officials say the purpose of the initiative is to create graduates who meet today’s workforce needs and to reduce employer training costs for new graduates. Also, the stated goal is to ensure that LETU engineering students are gaining the skills required in the workplace during their educational journey and to improve student motivation and persistence to succeed at LeTourneau in their future careers. Officials say the program also allows LETU students to build a network of professional contacts in their chosen fields.