Special to the
Opelika Observer
The Computer Numerical Controlled Machining Program at Southern Union State Community College has received a grant from the Gene Haas Foundation that will provide scholarships for students majoring in the program area.
The Gene Haas Foundation has awarded a $12,000 grant to the CNC Program to provide financial assistance to students who plan to pursue a career in advanced manufacturing. The program has yet to determine how many scholarships the funds will create, but is grateful to have the support of Gene Haas as they prepare students for this rewarding career.
Southern Union is proud to partner with manufacturing leaders, such as the Gene Haas Foundation, to ensure its technical training programs are offering 21st century machining skills. The scholarships supported by this donation will make opportunities available to deserving students who are enthusiastic about pursuing machining as a career while helping create a pipeline of skilled technicians for the manufacturing companies in East Alabama and beyond.
The foundation was created by its namesake, Gene Haas, the owner of California-based Haas Automation and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. Haas began this foundation in 1999 to fund the needs of the local community and other deserving charities. His commitment to the importance of manufacturing in the United States incited him to grow his personal foundation and direct his foundation board to focus on manufacturing education and grants for scholarships for students entering the field.
Southern Union has an on-going relationship with the foundation, as well as the local Haas Factory Outlet. Last April, Southern Union hosted the first regional Haas HTec event held in Alabama and has in its equipment inventory a computer numerical controlled lathe on entrustment from Haas as part of a public-private partnership.
“I want to thank the Gene Haas Foundation and the Haas Team for their partnership,” said Darin Baldwin, Dean of Technical Education and Workforce Development. “We have great instructors, great students and it is great partners like Haas who are dedicated to education that help ensure our students are successful in developing their careers. Together, we make a difference in workforce development in manufacturing.”
For more information, visit www.suscc.edu.