Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held At NWMSU’s McKemy Center

A ribbon-cutting event was held Wednesday to recognize the completion of the McKemy Center on the Northwest Missouri State University campus.

The renovation of the McKemy Center was completed during the summer, and the upgrades are intended to allow Northwest to develop from programing geared towards systems management for manufacturing and agribusiness.

The renovation included a creation of more laboratory space, safety and infrastructure upgrades, and welding booths.

The facility features Power Wave C300 portable multi-process wire feeder welders with high-end functionality. It also is equipped with virtual reality welding training simulator that promotes the transfer of welding skills and body positioning while reducing waste associated with traditional welding training.

The most recent renovation at the McKemy Center, however, is returning the building to its original purpose and helping the University and its School of Agricultural Sciences focus on systems management while addressing labor needs in the agriculture and manufacturing industries.

Beginning this fall, the University is offering coursework related to welding, precision measuring, electronics and electricity, mechatronics, personal protective equipment and safety, robotics and other industry-standard certifications. Northwest also plans to implement a Systems Management Academy for high school students and teachers.

Northwest received grant funding from the Missouri Department of Economic Development in addition to support from the CHS Foundation, the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Don and Jody Athen, and Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corporation.