Pictured from left to right, Pamela Gibson, Dean of Engineering & Applied Technology, Kevin Henry, Computer-Integrated Machining Department Chair; Nat Coomer, Computer-Integrated Machining Instructor with the grant from the Gene Haas Foundation. [Photo/Brad Losh]
Fayetteville Technical Community College has received a $15,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF).
The grant will benefit the College’s Computer-Integrated Machining Department, which is part of FTCC’s Engineering & Applied Technology Programs. Most of the grant funds will support student scholarships. Those funds can help pay for tuition, books, a student’s personal National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) account, cost of individual credentials and small person tools required by the program to purchase, according to the foundation’s website. Eligible students must currently be enrolled in or will enroll in computer numerical control (CNC) technologist training or a CNC machining-based engineering program. Criteria for scholarship awardees will be determined by the program instructor or a committee/advisory that includes the program instructor.
Also, up to $2,500 from the grant can be used towards sponsorship of students participating in competitions such as SkillsUSA and on Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) teams.
The foundation previously donated grants to the College for student scholarships in 2016 and 2018; those grants totaled $25,000. The foundation is a branch of Haas Automation, Inc., America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools. Gene Haas began the business in 1983 and the foundation 16 years later. GHF’s “primary goal is to build skills in the machining industry by providing scholarships for CNC machine technology students and NIMS credentials,” according to its website.
At the College, the computer-integrated machining curriculum provides students with the analytical, creative and innovate skill necessary for a career focused on precision manufacturing utilizing a variety of machine shop industrial equipment in a state-of-the-art facility. Career paths for graduating students include fabrication industries, high-tech manufacturing and specialty machine shops.
Learn more about the Computer-Integrated Machining program, requirements and more here.
