Chicago, Illinois
June 18, 2006
June 18, 2006
June 21, 2006
2153-5965
Continuing Professional Development
10
11.129.1 - 11.129.10
10.18260/1-2--588
https://peer.asee.org/588
486
Jody Pierce is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Leadership and Supervision at Purdue University's College of Technology location in Anderson, Indiana. Her business and industry background includes 28 years between General Motors and Delphi Automotive in manufacturing and labor relations. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a Master of Business Administration from Anderson University.
Russell A. Aubrey is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at Purdue University at Anderson. He received the B.E.E. degree from the University of Virginia, and the M.S.E.E. and Ph.D.E.E. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. His industrial background includes technical staff assignments with NASA-Langley Research Center, Texas Instruments & Seyberts Electronics. Current teaching interests are in the areas of digital and analog circuits, circuit simulation and systems integration.
John R. Eddy is a Special Assistant to the associate dean for statewide technology and engagement in the College of Technology at Purdue. His industry experience at Delco-Remy, Division of General Motors includes Manufacturing Supervision, Industrial Engineering, retiring as the Manager of Sales and Marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Economics from Purdue University.
Charles Baker holds has a B.S. in Organizational Leadership and Supervision from Purdue University and a Masters in Business Administration from Ball State University. He is retired from General Motors/Delphi Automotive where he held roles in Quality Engineering and Manufacturing. He also serves as a part time lecturer for the Purdue College of Technology.
A Partnership Between Industry and Academia: Red Gold, Inc.
Abstract
This paper describes a novel university/industry partnership between Purdue University/Anderson and Red Gold, Inc., a major tomato processing corporation. This partnership began with the design and delivery of a Red Gold Corporate Certificate program by Purdue to be delivered on company time and property. The original purpose for Purdue University’s involvement has since expanded into a multi-phased project. After completion of the Corporate Certificate, employees can elect to continue with on- site, company time classes to obtain a Purdue Certificate, Associate of Science, or Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision.
This university/industry partnership brings many benefits to the state of Indiana. Red Gold wins by becoming more competitive and creating company leaders for the future; employees benefit by enhancing their self esteem, becoming more successful on the job, and by enhancing their potential for promotion; and Purdue University succeeds by learning from industry, increasing university enrollment, expanding Purdue presence, and fueling Indiana’s economic engine.
Introduction
In order to understand the success of this university/industry partnership, one first needs to have a general understanding of Red Gold, Inc., and Purdue University, College of Technology at Anderson (Indiana).
Red Gold, Inc., is the nation’s largest tomato processing company outside of California. Since 1942, this third generation family owned business has been located in Orestes, Indiana. Red Gold improves the community’s economy by using a team of 60 professional growers to produce tomatoes on 10,000 acres of farmland within 100 miles of the processing plant. The company’s employment expands from 1,100 to 1,500 during harvest and they use their 1,000,000 square feet of floor space to produce over 100 different tomato products in 20 different sizes and containers.1
Red Gold’s operating philosophy and guiding principles are an integral part of the success of this project and are stated, in part, below:
Philosophy: Growing Leaders the Red Gold Way
At Red Gold, we’re committed to developing highly-skilled leaders with the overall business perspective and skills to work together to make things happen – now and into the next millennium. Continually striving to improve our products and our business strategies has resulted in an impressive history of strong leadership and business performance.
Pierce, J., & Aubrey, R., & Eddy, J., & Baker, C. (2006, June), A Successful Partnership Between Industry And Academia: Red Gold, Inc. Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--588
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