LINN  — At Tuesday’s semiannual meeting State Tech Regents approved the renaming of the “Infill Building” to the “Willett Automation Center” in honor of the college’s founder, Thurman Willett.

President Dr. Shawn Strong made the announcement as Thurman’s widow, Hazel Willett, 98, sat in the crowd. She was not informed of the reason for her presence and had an emotional reaction but did not speak.

“This was a surprise to her,” said Regents President John A. Klebba. “She didn’t know anything about it, but she has seen this thing from the very beginning. I’m sure you had many conversations with Thurman well before anything was put in place. We thought it would be appropriate to announce it today, and we wanted Hazel to be here for the announcement. We want you to know how much we appreciate what Thurman did to get this started. I don’t think he would have thought in his wildest dreams that what he put in place would become what it is today. Obviously, none of this was possible without his vision.”

Klebba said he would put that on the calendar, and asked Hazel to cut the ribbon at the ceremony. She was given a standing ovation following the announcement.

At last week’s alumni event, Dr. Strong said he was asked repeatedly when the college would name a building after its founder.

That day was Tuesday, and  Klebba is thrilled with the name change. “Let’s go back to 1961, when the college was founded,” he said. “Electronics was the very first program and there was only one instructor when this thing was set in motion by Thurman Willett. From that, we have grown to what you see today. To say the seed was planted and has flourished is an understatement. So, it’s about time that we name a building after him.”

The Willett Automation Center will host Automation & Robotics Technology, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Drafting & Design Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Precision Machining Technology, Welding Technology, as well as some general education departments.

“This building will house our electronics and drafting programs,” said Dr. Strong of the programs that got the college started 63 years ago. “Those are two of the original programs at State Tech when we were still at the old elementary school.”