Today, C. Brent Wallis, campus President of the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, announced his retirement after a 36-year tenure that helped transform technical training in Utah.  Wallis will serve until his successor is in place, a process that is expected to take 90 days.

Under Wallis’ leadership, the institution has evolved from the Utah Skills Center North to the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, the largest of nine regional campuses of the Utah College of Applied Technology.  Wallis started in 1971, when he was asked to take a one-year sabbatical as the Head of the Engineering Graphics Department at Weber State College to help run the fledgling Utah Skills Center North.  The Skills Center was established by Weber State to assist adult students in learning practical job skills. 

That one-year sabbatical turned into 36 years as President of OWATC.  Collette Mercier, vice president for instructional services at OWATC, tells about the College’s transformation under President Wallis’ leadership.  “We started with an initial student body of just 93 students, and they attended classes in makeshift facilities.  Today, we serve about 10,000 students in state-of-the-art labs, and our campus is lovely.  Whenever people tour our campus, they are always so impressed.”

Wallis pioneered the development of a unique educational model better suited for training students for the 68% of jobs in Utah that require some technical training but not a four-year degree.  In 1982, OWATC was the first technical institution to receive the U.S. Secretary of Education Award for Outstanding Vocational Programs.  The OWATC training model is hands-on, and the curriculum is set by over 300 local employers that sit on employer advisory teams.  This ensures that the training is current and relevant.  Since students work at their own pace, they may start any Monday in most programs. 

According to Jim Taggart, vice president for student services, Brent Wallis has set the standard for technical education in Utah.  “He is constantly reminding us that we can best change lives by serving our primary customer, the employers of Northern Utah.  It works, because Brent has developed strong relationships with the business community, and our students find excellent jobs as a result.” 

The Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College offers over 75 certificates in the areas of business and information technology, construction, health, manufacturing and service technology plus three Associate of Applied Technology (A.A.T.) degrees in information technology, medical assisting, and drafting. 

In 2001, OWATC became one of nine regional campuses within the Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) which is a part of Utah’s System of Higher Education.  Rob Brems, UCAT’s President, expressed appreciation for a career of service provided by Wallis. "He has devoted his professional career to providing quality occupational training opportunities to the citizens of Utah.  The Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College is the most visible legacy of more than three decades of his outstanding service.  That said, his leadership in technical education has been a vital catalyst in establishing the 55,000-student Utah College of Applied Technology.  We will all miss Brent, but he has developed a dedicated team at the College, and his enthusiasm will continue on through them."

Ron Kusina, executive director for the Weber Economic Development Corporation, knows first hand the benefit of Wallis’ partnerships.  “He has been such a good friend and incredible advocate of industry in Weber County.  He is going to leave huge shoes to fill and I will miss him a lot.”  Weber Economic Development Corporation has determined that the number one thing that attracts industry to Northern Utah is the presence of our highly trained workforce, and OWATC is core to that. 

Wallis has also been active in several community and civic groups.  He has served on the boards of the Ogden Weber Chamber of Commerce, Weber Economic Development Corporation, and Utah Partnership for Educational and Economic Development, Inc.  He is also a member of the Weber County Production Manager’s Association, the Rotary Club of Ogden, and served for 11 years as the Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee chair. 

He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Industrial and Technical Education from Utah State University and completed additional executive leadership training at the University of Illinois and Harvard University.

The OWATC Foundation has selected Brent Wallis as its honoree at its annual Founder’s Day Recognition Dinner scheduled for April 20, 2007.  The event serves as a fundraiser for student scholarships.  Individuals or businesses interested in sponsorships or attending the dinner should contact Tina Smith at 627-8304 for ticket information.

Working with the Utah College of Applied Technology President, Rob Brems, the OWATC Board of Directors will immediately begin the search process to find a new President.  Interested individuals can find application information on the college’s Web site, www.owatc.edu.   The new President will be named in May. 

For more information, contact:

C. Brent Wallis
Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College
(801) 627-8304

James Taggart
Vice President Student Services, Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College
(801) 627-8388

Collette Mercier
Vice President Instructional Services, Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College
(801) 627-8307

Rob Brems
President, Utah College of Applied Technology
(801) 456-7401
rbrems@ucat.edu

Ron Kusina
Executive Director, Weber Economic Development Corporation
(801) 621-8300
ron@echamber.cc

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