ASU-Beebe: John Deere Ag Tech Program earns Platinum College of Tomorrow Award

BEEBE — Arkansas State University-Beebe’s John Deere Agriculture Technology program won the 2018 College of Tomorrow Award from John Deere, earning the highest ranking of Platinum for the fourth year in a row. The John Deere College of Tomorrow Award is a prestigious honor given to John Deere training programs across the nation.

The prize includes $1,000 for program scholarships, and one of the program’s instructors receives a week of paid training at one of John Deere’s facilities to learn new technology and equipment. The prize also offers a plaque, a John Deere TECH College of Tomorrow jacket and a crystal trophy. In addition, John Deere annually provides money for scholarships to the most outstanding students in the program. Combined with the $1,000 from the College of Tomorrow award, roughly $4,000 in scholarship money will be given back to the students to reward their hard work.

ASU-Beebe Agriculture Technology Department head Shawn Taillon said he loves what the program can do for students. “We are a program that takes a student who wouldn’t typically go to college, and we are teaching them a mechanical trade that can help them get work,” he said. “Our students can make an average of $37,000 a year, plus bonuses and commissions. … They learn a skill, get a degree and become fine young adults. As an instructor, it’s great to be a part of that.”