The WTAMU Tech Club was created in 2009 as a way to get students engaged with technology and leadership. Although, mainly students from the College of Business join the Tech Club, it is an organization that is open for all WT students.
“Although we are supported by the Computer, Information and Decision Management Department, our members include students from a variety of majors including Graphic Design, Marketing, Management, English and others,” Dr. Christopher Furner, advisor for the Tech Club, said. “Any student with an interest in technology is welcome to join. We are proud of our diverse membership.”
The club’s current president is Skyler Schmidt. Students elect their officers, but they have the support of Dr. Jeffry Babb and Dr. Furner, assistant professors of the CIDM Department that belongs to the COB.
Beyond the overarching objective of getting students engaged with technology, they develop activities related to three aspects: learning, service and fun.
”The important thing is we want to be seen as diverse and a source of help for others in the WTAMU community,” Dr. Babb. “Ultimately we strive to be a resource to provide people with help, knowledge, service and expertise in matters related to technology and computing.”
However, they do not forget the third aspect. The new sponsored Joachim Business Innovation Classroom was equipped with 6 Xbox 360, 6 PlayStation 3 and Cisco smart monitors of 40” and 50” to get the most fun that technology can provide.
“The idea of the room came about because of the enthusiasm and fun that comes with technology and the impact that it has over people’s lives,” Dr. Babb said.
The room is the number 209 of the Classroom Center and became the operating hub for the Tech Club and a unique recreational facility that is now available for the University’s community.
“The investment is over $50,000” Dr. Amjad Abdullat, director of the CIDM department, said.
Keeping people engaged and coming back is a challenge for every organization. The Club is committed with letting people know that they are there. In fact, Dr. Abdullat confirms that the department will have an Open House on Oct. 7 to showcase the Tech Club and the Joachim Business Innovation Classroom. In addition to this, the Tech Club is organizing the Game Tournament for Nov. 20. In past years, the tournament has lured players from all colleges within WT and also from different high schools in the area.
The Club plans to have 4 meetings and 3 special activities this fall; one of them will be a visit to Bell Helicopters. Last spring they took a field trip to the University’s Network Operations Center and next year they will go to the Air Traffic Control Tower at the Amarillo Airport.
”Thanks to support from both the Dean and the Department Chair, we have several new opportunities for our Tech Club students, more scholarships and internship opportunities, a new video game development lab, and an i-Phone development lab,” Dr. Furner, said.
