The Inter-Mountain photo by Eliana McCutcheon In the front row, Erin Jones, Heather Biola, Karen Wilmoth, Katy McClane, Judy Guye, Diana VanNoy and Priscilla Gay; back row, Kenneth Matthews, Bob Lillie, Van Broughton, Peter Vial, Bob Wilmoth and Logan Smith.

The Inter-Mountain photo by Eliana McCutcheon
In the front row, Erin Jones, Heather Biola, Karen Wilmoth, Katy McClane, Judy Guye, Diana VanNoy and Priscilla Gay; back row, Kenneth Matthews, Bob Lillie, Van Broughton, Peter Vial, Bob Wilmoth and Logan Smith.

ELKINS — On Nov. 20, The Kump Education Center celebrated a new Altice Learning Lab.

Altice, also known as SuddenLink, has given over $5,000 worth of technology, signs and free internet to Kump Education Center for tutoring Alternative Learning and Home Bound students. Now, the Kump Education Center can offer many more educational experiences for all students .

“The Kump Center is the home of the governor (Herman G. Kump) of 1933-37. He was the one that started the county in the school system, the state commission and the liquor control board. There were many that had to change in that time. People had like 400 school districts but they limited it to just the 55 counties,” Kump Education Center Director Heather Biola said. “So, it is appropriate that his home should become a place for teachers to come.”

Biola said the Kump Center is being used for children and teacher programs.

“We are really excited about the things we can do at this point with our new electrical wiring, which Altice (SuddenLink) helped us with,” she said. “They gave us about $5,000. KJ Shaffer is a teacher at Elkins High School and he has started tutoring the after school students who are in the alternative learning program.”

Biola said the new lab will hold 49 people and has hosted the summer YMCA camp.

“They come and have science sessions here and we go outside and look for birds, test the water,= and plant vegetables. It is just a new idea of how people can enjoy learning in places other than school, but we also support the school system,” Biola said

The Regional Vice President of Market Engagement for Altice USA Bob Lillie said his company is always looking to help provide access to technology to students.

“SuddenLink by Altice is always looking for ways to give kids access to technology. I think anytime you can better children, that is our future, and so an education center like this will give kids a chance to come work after school. We are also providing phone and cable TV to the building is complementary and is part of the sponsorship.” Lillie said.