Longtime Pittsburg State University professor Jim Triplett’s dedication to student learning continues even after his passing. His cherished 1999 Honda Insight, a pioneer in the electric vehicle market, has been donated to PSU’s School of Automotive & Engineering Technology.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) have become a key focus of the Automotive Technology program, with plans for further expansion. Triplett spent years advocating for sustainability and conservation, including championing the installation of the first electric vehicle charging stations on campus and downtown.
His wife, Shirley, also a longtime professor, recognized the value of the donation for student learning. “I want to find ways to honor him in ways he would appreciate,” she said. “This allows him to keep teaching; he would love this.”
In addition, Kelly Burgess (BST ’01), a consistent supporter of the program, donated a 2011 Chevy Volt. This vehicle, which had been involved in a minor traffic accident, belonged to his son. Burgess noted, “What makes this car unique is that it is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. It has an engine and a battery system, so it can be plugged in to charge and drive short distances, and then gas kicks in for long distances. It was the first General Motors plug-in hybrid vehicle that was commercially available.”
Burgess recalled that when he worked to install a charging station in downtown Pittsburg, Triplett helped him secure a location at the Colonial Fox Theatre; Triplett drove his Honda Insight to the meeting. “He was way ahead of his time,” Burgess said. “His vehicle was the first generation of hybrid vehicle to come to the U.S. Both of our cars represent a foreshadowing of what the industry was moving toward.”
Burgess added, “I see this as a ‘lemons to lemonade’ event. We’re transforming these cars into something very positive for students at Pitt State.”
Professor Trent Lindbloom of the School of Automotive & Engineering Technology, who oversees the HEV program, expressed his gratitude, saying the donations will significantly aid the learning process. “These generous donations mean a lot to our learning process. It’s one thing to talk about it in the classroom, but it’s another thing to have the components and vehicles themselves.”
