Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) thanked Carrier today for a generous donation of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment valued at more than $100,000. The college announced the donation at an event held at the Harper Campus.
The Carrier equipment donation will enhance instruction in CPCC's Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration (AHR) Technology program by exposing students to the latest commercial use climate control equipment. The AHR program is located at the Harper Campus.
"CPCC is fortunate to have a number of close corporate supporters who help ensure our programs remain cutting edge and provide the education and skills needed by employers now," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, CPCC president. "Some partners, like Carrier, are exceptional and through their generosity make a steadfast positive impact on our students and their future success."
The Carrier donation includes five pieces of equipment:

• An AquaForce® Water-Cooled Screw Chiller;
• An AquaSnap® Air-Cooled Scroll Chiller;
• An AquaSnap® Water-Cooled Scroll Chiller; and
• Two Gemini® Select Air-Cooled Condensing Units.

Event speakers included Deitemeyer; Greg Alcorn, vice president and general manager, Carrier Commercial Systems; Edwin A. Dalrymple, chairman of the CPCC Board of Trustees; Gary LaBrosse, treasurer and finance committee chairman, CPCC Foundation; Dr. Kelly Trainor, dean of the CPCC Harper Campus; and Alex Mitchell, a student in CPCC's Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration program.
"Carrier's donation of commercial HVAC equipment to Central Piedmont Community College's AHR Technology program represents our own legacy and passion to train the industry. Since Dr. Willis Carrier's invention of modern air conditioning in 1902, the company has continued to innovate products, controls, system design software and service solutions that help shape the world we live in," Alcorn said.
"This array of high-tech Carrier equipment will further enrich CPCC students' learning experience by providing an opportunity for hands-on learning on the same equipment they will work with after they graduate and for decades to come. The gifted equipment represents our support of, and commitment to, Central Piedmont Community College, their students' success, and the HVAC industry at large," Acorn added.
The AHR curriculum at CPCC includes an AAS degree program, diploma program and seven certificate programs offering various areas of specialization.
With an emphasis on developing and improving critical thinking, articulation and technical skills, topics of study include refrigeration theory, heating theory, mechanical system applications, installations, service, safety, mechanical and fuel gas codes, tools and instruments and general maintenance practices.
Advanced topics include residential and light commercial system load design coupled with efficient, balanced and effective air side designs for ductwork, ventilation and filtration.
Program graduates can look forward to careers in many areas of the HVAC profession. Graduates can assist in load design, equipment selection, installation, start-up, service and maintenance of residential and light commercial mechanical systems.
Prospective students can contact Keith Powell, AHR program chair, at keith.powell@cpcc.edu or 704.330.4479.