Looking back at the past year, it isn’t often that one is thankful for diesel transmissions, but the staff of Scott Community College is just that.

The transmissions were among diesel engines and parts donated to the school’s diesel technology program.

“We need to tell people how wonderful it is,” said Lysa Hegland, director of the Scott Community College Foundation. “Our needs are plenty, and it is neat to see the things we receive.”

The needs are not limited to technology programs, but include art, too. She said donations of props and costumes for the drama department are helpful as well.

The diesel donation, estimated at $125,000, is expected to help the program for a decade, according to Ken Hunter, a diesel technology instructor.

The school keeps a wish list of items that is continually updated, Hegland said.

“In the economy, it is hard to give monetarily, but if you can give something that is an overrun on the line or is equipment that is recalled and can’t be used anymore, that doesn’t matter to us,” Hegland said. “We use it as a training equipment.”

Things on the wish list can be used or new. It includes items like new or used heating and air conditioning and geothermal systems for the HVAC program. Some items can be pretty expensive, like a $15,000 granite chef instructor’s table with a drop-in sink for the culinary arts program, or a truck driving simulator with snowplow software, costing $110,000. Even something like five suture scissors cost $1,010.

“We share (the list) with potential donors who want to help the college,” Hegland said. “Otherwise it is word-of-mouth through our instructors inside their industries. We share that such and such equipment is old or outdated.”