Carroll Shelby Opens New School

Carroll Shelby returns to his roots in Texas to partner with Northeast Texas Community College to create the new Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology Center. Shelby’s donation of $525,000 will go a long way to offer young people an opportunity to learn valuable skills in the automotive field. The new Carroll Shelby Automotive Technology program will include a state-of-the-art facility with instruction in automotive and body repair. The intensive, hands-on program will be designed to train mechanics to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. The program is expected to enroll the first class in Fall 2008.

NTCC is located 2 hours east of Dallas in the small town of Mt. Pleasant just off Interstate-30.

“I want to help young people improve their lives through the industry that has been so good to me,” said Mr. Shelby. “By giving them valuable new skills, they can be proud, productive members of society.”

The program will be housed in a new automotive facility which features a climate controlled shop space, lifts, paint booth, three classrooms with roll-up doors to bring in cars, office and shower/changing rooms. The curriculum will include real-life experience, as students will build an automobile during their last semester. The goal is for these cars to be autographed by Mr. Shelby and sold. Proceeds of the sale will be used to help sustain the program.

The college is actively seeking a program Chair. That individual will be charged with building on the current programs, which include the AAS degree in Automotive Repair, an Auto Body Repair program offering a one year certificate or a two year AAS degree and a Diesel program offering three certificates and a two-year AAS degree.

“This gift is truly a unique opportunity for NTCC,” noted Dr. Herbert Riedel, NTCC Vice President for Instruction and Student Development. “The partnership with Mr. Shelby will allow us to build a world-class automotive program in Northeast Texas. It will be invaluable to our college, our region, and most importantly, to our students.”

In addition to the credited program, the partnership will also include various continuing education opportunities for community members. Other future projects could also include the creation of a Shelby Automobiles modification center and a test track on the NTCC campus.

Mr. Shelby and his companies will contribute a minimum of $525,000. These funds will be designated for student scholarships and support of the program. Other sponsors are expected to join the program. Additional information is available at www.ntcc.edu.