VINCENNES, Ind. – When the largest and most powerful combine harvester, made by John Deere, recently rolled into the Vincennes University Agricultural Center, it brought the absolute peak of agricultural technology directly to VU students.
The powerhouse X9 1100 Combine provided a high-level training ground for students enrolled in the VU John Deere TECH Program.
Along with a 1775 Planter, these future service technicians stepped up to diagnose and service the state-of-the-art equipment, transforming the John Deere lab into an elevated, real-world setting.
VU student Jacob Shuter said, “Being able to be hands on with a 1775 Planter in the shop after learning about it in class definitely helped me to understand the planter, and how it worked better.”
This extraordinary learning experience was made possible thanks to VU John Deere TECH Program Director Chad Hill, collaborating with Jason Boyles, a store manager at Sloan Implement in Vincennes.
“Chad setting these opportunities up for us definitely helped us learn more in a less rushed environment, where a customer isn’t waiting on the machine then,” said Shuter, who is from Frankton, Indiana.
VU + John Deere TECH = Path to Success
VU’s longstanding partnerships with local industry and global giants, such as John Deere, give students a competitive edge and truly set the University apart.
By working directly with industry-leading equipment rarely seen in a traditional classroom, VU students successfully bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world dealership experience.
“It was a great opportunity to get a visualization on some of the key components that may have issues out in the field,” said VU student Hayden Hinds of Oxford, Indiana.
It was an unforgettable experience for Hill to see top-tier technology in the John Deere lab at VU.
Hill said, “Bringing the John Deere X9 1100 Combine and 1775 Planter into our lab provides VU students with an elite training experience that traditional classrooms simply cannot match. We are setting the absolute standard for agricultural technology education, and our students are stepping up to master the highest tier of technology in the industry today. We are incredibly grateful to Jason Boyles and Sloan Implement for their support. Partnerships like this ensure our graduates do not just enter the workforce, they lead it from Day One.”
Ultimate Career Edge Training
VU is one of a handful of select universities and colleges partnering with John Deere in the TECH program. Each student is backed by a paid dealership sponsorship, allowing them to earn an associate degree in Diesel Technology from VU and get paid while learning advanced technical skills for today’s rapidly advancing agricultural technology field.
Working with some of the top Ag technology like the X9 1100 Combine and 1775 Planter in the world is an experience that will leave a lasting mark on every student involved.
VU student Braden Clark of Oaktown, Indiana, said, “It was fun and entertaining. It felt good and gave me knowledge. It’s nice for the school to be able to do that.”
More about VU’s John Deere TECH program
