Carl and Penny Moyer, owners of Karl Chevrolet in Ankeny, today donated $1 million to Des Moines Area Community College toward a renovation and expansion of DMACC’s automotive technology facility. When completed in fall 2020, the new $12 million, state-of-the-art facility will be named the Karl Chevrolet Automotive Technology Center at DMACC.

Moyer said that he and his wife wanted to ensure a strong future for the automotive program through their donation. 

“I have a great passion for DMACC,” he said in a press release. “I can remember when the first building on the campus was built many years ago, to what it is today. They were the only college around offering an automotive program that allowed interns to work at a dealership and get hands-on experience, and over the years we have hired many great employees from them here at Karl Chevrolet.” 

DMACC President Rob Denson said the current auto facility, housed in Building 13, was built in 1980 and has become outdated and too small for the current needs of students. “Auto technology is one of DMACC’s most in-demand career areas,” Denson said. “This donation moves this project closer to completion.”

The project renovates and expands the more than 60,000-square-foot Automotive Technology Center. Specific improvements include:

• New classrooms and a student lounge.
• An additional 22 vehicle work bays.
• Renovation of nine classrooms.
• Conference rooms.
• A showroom to improve the visitor and prospective student experience.

Scott Ocken, DMACC’s vice president of academic affairs, was formerly dean of the automotive program, and started his automotive career working as a mechanic at Karl Chevrolet. DMACC auto technology graduates are in high demand as retirements and industry expansions pick up steam, he said. 

“The modern, sophisticated vehicles today offer more conveniences and safety features than ever before,” Ocken said. “These changes require specialized knowledge and training that our auto graduates must possess as they enter the workforce. Carl and Penny’s gift will allow us to continue delivering high quality instruction to the next generation of skilled auto and collision professionals.”

DLR Group of Des Moines has been chosen as the project architect; construction is scheduled to begin later this year.