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Lincoln Trail College’s Broadband Telecom program is getting a boost thanks to a major donation from Endeavor Communications. The company has donated an Optical Distribution Frame (ODF) and other equipment valued at more than $32,000 to help students gain hands-on experience with real-world fiber network technology.
The donation includes a GENBAND CS1500 system with fiber switches, fan controllers, fuse controls, cooling fans, and rack equipment. The ODF will be installed in the new Technology Building currently under construction on the LTC campus. Once live fiber is turned up, students will be able to splice fiber and work directly with dial tone systems.
"After the tornado, the program lost everything," said Jesse Allen, Field Services Manager at Endeavor Communications and a former instructor of the LTC Broadband Telecom program. "This equipment gives students the opportunity to once again gain real central office experience—this time with newer technology than what was previously available."
Endeavor Communications has a long history of supporting Lincoln Trail College’s program and hiring its graduates. Several members of the company’s leadership team, including Allen, the COO, and SVP, are alumni of the program.
"We are always in need of hires with the basic skills this program teaches," said Allen. "Exposure to real-world tools like the ODF puts students a step ahead of other applicants."
Dennis York, Broadband Telecom Lead Instructor at LTC, emphasized the impact of the donation on student learning.
"This generous donation from Endeavor will allow students to learn the operations and maintenance of a very expensive and essential part of a fiber network," York said. "We are incredibly thankful for Endeavor’s continued support of our program."
Installation of the ODF and activation of the system are expected once the new Technology Building is completed.
