Tech students help local groups

January 29, 2007 10:13 am

— By Melissa Soria
Pharos-Tribune staff writer
Nonprofit organizations in Logansport benefited this year as a result of two technology courses at Purdue College of Technology in Kokomo.
Students in computer and information technology and programming for the Internet worked on a Web site for the Logansport Girl Scouts and created a database for the Logansport Shrine Club.
The students created a Web site for the Girl Scouts in addition to creating a virtual private site that connects the Kokomo Girl Scout site to the Logansport site. They also created a database to help the Logansport Shrine Club to keep track of members’ information and dues.
The Girl Scouts were able to choose among several different layouts the students created. The organization’s Web site has forms volunteers can fill out, an area for people to donate money, a photo album and lots of news and information about the Girl Scouts.
“They started from scratch,” said Stacey Purtee, a staff member with the Girl Scouts. “They did a really good job.”
Purdue also helped the Logansport Shrine Club in establishing a database with members’ mailing addresses and other information.
David Deeter, Shrine Club member, said the college even donated a used computer to the organization.
“It’s going to be a good asset for us,” he said.
According to Rick Homkes, associate professor of computer and information technology, the service is free to non-profit organizations.
“This method of teaching is really a cool idea,” he said. “It’s a way of learning through doing.”
Homkes said his class acts as if it is a consulting company, working on projects for non-profit organizations throughout the area.
“Students are able to get out and practice what they have learned with real clients,” he said.
Homkes said his class made three network installations and worked on two databases last semester for organization based in Kokomo and other surrounding communities.
Gary Randolph, an associate professor at the university, said the college, an extension of Purdue University located on the campus of Indiana University Kokomo, was always looking for non-profit organizations it could help.
Homkes said the classes not only benefit students, but the community as well.
“I’m proud of my students,” he said. “They’re doing some nice things.”

Who to call
Nonprofit organizations in need of help with their Web sites may call Rick Homkes at (765) 455-9242.

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