Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has a long-standing connection to the Terre Haute community. Since 1874, when our founders dubbed us the Terre Haute School of Industrial Science, our institution has been influenced by the city we call home and has found more ways than one to give back.
RHIT’s engagement includes things like STEM outreach programs, community service initiatives, partnerships with local businesses and organizations, hosting community events and activities, supporting local schools and educational institutions, as well as simply supporting the local economy. Our RHIT Battery Workforce Challenge team, with the help of our partner institution Ivy Tech Community College, is committed to contributing to these programs in any way we can.
STEM Outreach Programs
RHIT has been actively involved in promoting STEM education in the Terre Haute community for many years. We often organize workshops, camps and events aimed at inspiring local students to pursue STEM careerss. This is something that our team is super excited to contribute to, through partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Wabash Valley and Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois.
Within the first year of the competition, we will host two separate youth outreach activities with these groups, aimed at educating local kids on what the BattChallenge and Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions are as well as EVs and STEM career opportunities. We hope our partnerships with both these groups will encourage the youth in our community to explore a future in STEM.
Community Service Initiatives
RHIT encourages its students, faculty and staff to participate in community service activities. We often organize volunteer opportunities where members of the RHIT community can contribute their time and expertise to help local organizations and individuals in need. Campus groups regularly participate in the school’s Day of Service, where they can contribute to projects that range from city beautification to helping community members in need. The RHIT & Ivy Tech BattChallenge team plans to participate in the upcoming Spring Day of Service, where we will get the chance to strengthen our team’s ties to the Terre Haute community.
Hosting Events and Activities
RHIT frequently hosts events and activities open to the public, such as lectures, performances and cultural events. These events not only enrich the campus community but also provide opportunities for interaction and engagement with residents of Terre Haute and the surrounding areas. As part of our partnership with Ivy Tech, we hope to host events open to the public to educate the local community about the future of electric vehicles.
Economic Impact
As one of several educational institutions in Terre Haute, RHIT contributes to the local economy by employing residents, attracting visitors to the area, and supporting local businesses through student spending and other activities.
As a part of the Battery Workforce Challenge, we hope to encourage more people to enter a career in EVs. Last year, ENTEK, a company involved in EV battery production, announced it would be building a plant in Terre Haute. We hope our team’s involvement in the challenge encourages students to stay in the Terre Haute area and re-invest in the community.
Overall, Rose-Hulman’s engagement with the Terre Haute community reflects its commitment to being a responsible and active member of the local area, fostering partnerships, supporting education and economic development and contributing to the overall wellbeing of the community.
