Student-Built Truck Takes 1st Place at 2013 Diesel Nationals

WEST ORANGE, NJ--Oct. 10, 2013: Lincoln Educational Services Corporation , a national leader in specialized technical training and a driving force in helping students turn their passion into professional success, is proud to announce a truck built by students from its South Plainfield, NJ campus took First Place in its class at the 2013 Diesel Nationals in Englishtown, NJ on Saturday, September 14th. The Lincoln team invested more than a year in securing parts and equipment, planning, and actually building the truck, which completed a quarter-mile run in 17.008 seconds at more than 84 miles per hour.

"I could not be more proud of our students, our instructors and all the members of the Lincoln family that put so much hard work into this endeavor," says Jay Rasmussen, Executive Director of the South Plainfield campus. "Tim O'Connor, our Director of Education, drove this from the 'what if' phase all the way to completion. We had a terrific driver, Daniel Hagaman, right here on our faculty. The truck's performance at the Diesel Nationals was the culmination of amazing teamwork, and wouldn't have been possible without the generosity and enthusiasm of our industry partners as well."

The team's triumph at the Diesel Nationals was the ultimate payoff on a project that began in the Spring of 2012 when what Rasmussen describes as a "water cooler discussion" started to take on a life of its own. An outdated R Model Mack truck was slated for removal from the campus' diesel bay to make room for more current equipment, but rather than send it to a scrap yard the Director of Education, along with faculty and Lincoln students, developed a plan to rebuild it, then race it. Given the talent of the team working on the truck at the campus, Lincoln's CEO Shaun McAlmont says it was no surprise that they brought home the trophy.

"Students come to Lincoln because they know they have the talent and the drive to do great things," McAlmont says. "Once on campus, they develop skills while learning from passionate, experienced instructors that help them transform from students with a dream and a goal into real professionals who live and breathe the careers they're training for. South Plainfield is the only Lincoln campus in New Jersey to offer Diesel and Truck Technology training because it's such a highly specialized industry—and our students' ability to turn an outdated vehicle into one that can not only race, but win, speaks to the quality of the training taking place there every day."

Rasmussen cites several local vendors who were instrumental in helping the Lincoln team complete its mission: Atlantic Detroit for supplying transmission and engine components and electronic controls; Hawk's Towing and Trenton Collision Center for its contributions of truck paint and body work; Davco for its donation of a fuel filtering system; NEMF for a rebuilt steering box; and Snap-on Tools for an extensive donation of tools and equipment.

While the Lincoln team took some time to savor their victory, Rasmussen says they are already looking ahead to next year. "The engine was still cooling when plans were already being hatched for 2014 to make the truck even faster," he says. "So if any other schools would like to challenge us, we look forward to seeing you there next year!"

Lincoln continues to seek out and establish new partnerships and programs around the country to bridge the skills gap between the abilities of the workforce and the needs of employers. The South Plainfield campus of Lincoln Technical Institute offers hands-on career training in Diesel and Truck Technology, as well as Diesel and Truck Technology with Transport Refrigeration. Students also receive coaching in time management, financial literacy and study skills, and are supported with career search and placement assistance upon graduation.

About Lincoln Educational Services Corporation

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. Lincoln offers recent high school graduates and working adults degree and diploma programs in five principal areas of study: automotive technology, health sciences, skilled trades, business and information technology, and hospitality services. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946.

Lincoln currently operates 38 campuses and five training sites in 17 states under five brands: Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences, Lincoln College of New England, and Florida Medical Training Institute.

For more information, go to Lincoln.