Delivering Around-the-Clock Power

gas generator

To ensure the power is always on, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine installed a Cat G3412 gas generator to back up the utility feed at the Auburn, AL, campus.

On a branch campus of Virginia Tech in Auburn, AL, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) opened its doors with a vision to provide healthcare for nearby underserved regions while promoting biomedical research. In a state-of-the-art building on the southern end of the Auburn campus, more than 325 VCOM first-and second-year students are taught the fundamentals of osteopathic medicine. VCOM’s curriculum is based on a digital platform so continuous power is critical.

To ensure uninterrupted power, VCOM installed a Cat G3412 gas generator to back up the utility feed at their Auburn campus when the building first opened. Based on a recommendation from Cat dealer Thompson Tractor, VCOM transfers the electrical load to the facility once a month.

“Every time, the generator has kicked right in and done what it’s supposed to do,” says Randy Cerovsky, facilities director for VCOM-Auburn. “We have never noticed any delay in the amount of time it takes for the generator to start up and transfer the power over. Everything just runs smoothly; we’ve never had any issues.”

Technicians from Thompson Power Systems perform regular maintenance on the generator set. “Thompson Power Systems has been great to work with,” Cerovsky says. “They do all of the service, and they explain everything.”

Cerovsky receives email alerts when the generator runs or if issues arise. “One of the features I like is the Cat Connect interface that enables us to receive SMTP alerts so if anything’s wrong, we get notified and call to receive service immediately.”

www.cat.com/en_US

This article originally appeared in the College Planning & Management September 2019 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.

  • Abstract tech network data connections with orange, blue glowing dots, lines

    3 Trends for Higher Education to Stay Ahead of in 2026

    As universities enter the new year, the question is no longer whether digital transformation is necessary, but how quickly institutions can convert technological potential into strategic advantage.