$50,000 investment in education

Group of people holding a giant donation check from Gene Haas Foundation.
10-23-2024

Article published by Bobbi Steffens at Wahpeton Daily News on October 22, 2024. 

 

There is a growing demand for precision machinists in the workforce. 

A local college has received grant funding to help reduce costs for students in that field of study. 

The Gene Haas Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to support the Precision Machining Technology department at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS). The funds will be used to award scholarships to current and future NDSCS Precision Machining Technology students. 

According to Academic Program Outreach Specialist at NDSCS Leslie Shirek, this year's grant follows a $50,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation in the fall of 2023. That grant resulted in scholarships for 10 first year Precision Machining Technology students. 

The Precision Machining Technology program provides students with vital skills in CNC programming, setup and operation, production machining, mold and die making, toolmaking, and automated manufacturing. 

“Students can utilize the scholarship dollars for tuition, tools, housing, or anything else to support their education,” said Precision Machining Technology Associate Professor/Program Coordinator Steve Johnson. “We are grateful for the Gene Haas Foundation's continued support of our program and our students. They are more for precision metalworking education than any other.” 

Three representatives from Productivity Inc. visited NDSCS to present the check on behalf of the Gene Haas Foundation. The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999, by Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Inc., to support the needs of the local community. 

Seeing a growing need for skilled manufacturing employees industry wide, the Foundation expanded its mission to include support for manufacturing training programs throughout North America and beyond. 

By providing scholarship grants, sponsoring individual and team CNC competitions, and partnering with the very best CNC training programs in the world, the Foundation helps expand the availability of high-quality manufacturing technology training worldwide. 

“Students are so appreciative of the financial support the Gene Haas Foundation provides them. The first ten students entering our Machining program obtain $2,500, automatically,” Shirek said. “They don’t need to apply for the scholarship, they merely need to register for classes and show up in the fall. The scholarship dollars continue on to our second year students and that is based on their GPA.” 

This important grant from the Gene Haas Foundation marks a substantial investment in the education and training of future machinists at NDSCS. It reflects the foundation’s dedication to fostering the development of highly skilled professionals in the machining industry. 

Precision machinists work with various tools and machines to create, modify, and repair precision parts and components. Their tasks typically include: 

  • CNC machining: Operating CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines to cut and shape materials like metal, plastic, and wood to exact specifications. 
  • Blueprint reading: Interpreting technical drawings and specifications to understand project requirements. 
  • Setup and calibration: Setting up machines, including selecting and installing tools, fixtures, and attachments, and calibrating equipment for precise operations. 
  • Quality control: Inspecting and measuring finished parts using tools like calipers, micrometers, and gauges to ensure they meet required tolerances and standards. 
  • Toolmaking: Designing and fabricating tools and fixtures used in the manufacturing process. 
  • Troubleshooting: Identifying and resolving issues with machines, tools, or processes to maintain production efficiency. 
  • Production machining: Producing high volumes of parts, often working in a production environment where precision and speed are critical. 
  • Collaboration: Working closely with engineers and other team members to refine designs and improve manufacturing processes. 

Overall, precision machinists play a crucial role in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing, ensuring high-quality components are produced accurately and efficiently. 

“It’s a great time to look into becoming a machinist. No problem finding a job, outstanding scholarships and low cost tuition,” Shirek said. “This past summer we had an extreme facelift to the Precision Machining Lab with updated floors, lights, electrical and more. Students will learn in a state of the art facility with an excellent student to faculty ratio and our incredible instructors.”

The Gene Haas Foundation donates millions of dollars every year to manufacturing education and the community. In 2022, the Gene Haas Foundation provided more than $27 million in grants, bringing the total since inception to more than $175 million.

Shayne, Cale, Zach, Ruari - SkillsUSA winners

NDSCS students earn national ranking at SkillsUSA Championships

06-27-2023
North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) students recently earned top awards at the National SkillsUSA Championships held during the National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Four NDSCS students earned the national spotlight for their achievements.

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Gene Haas Foundation logo

Gene Haas Foundation continues to support NDSCS manufacturing students

12-08-2022
The Gene Haas Foundation (GHF) has awarded a $40,000 grant to support the Precision Machining Technology program at North Dakota State College of Science.

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NDSCS receives $500,000 grant for Gene Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing

Gene Haas Foundation logo
12-01-2022

North Dakota State College of Science has been awarded a $500,000 naming rights grant from the Gene Haas Foundation to upgrade Precision Machining Technology program facilities. Once complete, the newly named Gene Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing will strengthen NDSCS’ capacity to attract and educate the next generation of machinists to meet growing workforce needs.

The mission of the Gene Haas Foundation is to introduce young people to careers in manufacturing and improve the pathway by providing students with resources and impactful experiences. “We strongly believe in the value of CTE education to transform lives, enhance a workforce and sustain an important industry that is fundamental to our nation,” said Kathy Looman, director of education and Gene Haas Centers naming grants. “North Dakota State College of Science has been a leader in training for careers in the manufacturing industry for many years with an excellent team of educators who embrace cutting-edge technology. NDSCS is also a leader in the education community, mentoring and supporting programs across the country to share best practices with other education programs. These are just a couple of the many reasons we have chosen NDSCS as a Gene Haas Center.”

NDSCS became one of the first Haas Technology Education Centers (HTEC) in the United States. This partnership helped NDSCS establish an advanced manufacturing learning lab with state-of-the-art equipment and connect its instructors to professional training and networking. “The College’s longstanding partnership with Haas Automation gives our students the best educational experience possible,” said Steve Johnson, department chair of Precision Machining Technology and NDSCS HTEC director. “Our students are competing with their peers at a national level and they’re winning. That speaks volumes to our faculty and our facilities.”

The grant will fund renovations to the Haas Technology Education Center in the Tech Center on NDSCS’ Wahpeton campus. In conjunction with facility updates, the grant will be used to rename the CNC lab to the Gene Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing. NDSCS President Rod Flanigan believes the relationship with the Gene Haas Foundation is critical for the sustainability of the Precision Machining Technology program. “We are grateful for their contributions, which allow us to extend the College’s impact on meeting workforce needs in this high-tech industry,” said Flanigan.

Students in the NDSCS Precision Machining Technology program learn about CNC programming, CNC set-up and operation, production machining, mold making, die making, toolmaking and automated manufacturing. Additional information about the NDSCS Precision Machining Technology program can be found online at NDSCS.edu/Machining.

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999 by Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Inc., to support the needs of the local community through grants to local charities such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Food Share, Rescue Mission, and others.

Seeing a growing need for skilled manufacturing employees industry-wide, the Foundation expanded its mission to include support for manufacturing training programs throughout North America and beyond. By providing scholarship grants, sponsoring individual and team CNC competitions, and partnering with the very best CNC training programs in the world, the Foundation helps expand the availability of high-quality manufacturing technology training worldwide.

The Gene Haas Foundation donates millions of dollars every year to manufacturing education and the community. In 2021-2022, the Gene Haas Foundation provided more than $22 million in grants, bringing the total since its inception to more than $150 million.

 

Article written by NDSCS and submitted to external news outlets. 

Gene Haas Foundation awards grants to support NDSCS Precision Machining Technology students

NDSCS Precision Machining Technology students, faculty and administrators were on hand when Dave Chase, Productivity, Inc. Machine Tool Sales Representative, visited the department to present a check for $36,000.
01-31-2022

The Gene Haas Foundation (GHF) has awarded a $36,000 grant to support the Precision Machining Technology department at the North Dakota State College of Science. The funds will be used to award scholarships to current and future NDSCS Precision Machining Technology students. Representatives from Productivity, Inc. visited to present the check on behalf of the Gene Haas Foundation. 

An additional $18,000 was received as a result of the North Dakota 1:2 Challenge Grant - that will be awarded to incoming students ($2,000 each to 9 students) in the fall of 2022. 

This year's grant follows a tradition of giving from the Gene Haas Foundation. From 2018-2020, the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded $100,000 with 64 students benefiting from these scholarships. 

The purpose of the Gene Haas Foundation is to build skills in the machining industry by providing scholarships for CNC Machine Technology students and NIMS Credentials. The Gene Haas Foundation was founded in 1999 by Gene Haas, the owner of Haas Automation, Inc., America's leading builder of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tools. 

NDSCS became one of the first Haas Technology Education Center's (HTEC) in the United States. The Gene Haas Foundation has consistently provided scholarships to NDSCS for over 10 years. Interim President Harvey Link says, "This is a result of excellent teaching, dedication to the industry and company partnerships."

Students in the NDSCS Precision Machining Technology program learn about CNC programming, CNC set-up and operation, production machining, mold-making, die-making, toolmaking and automated manufacturing. Additional, information about the NDSCS Precision Machining Technology program can be found online at ndscs.edu/machining.

NDSCS students earn awards at SkillsUSA Championships

Old Main steeple
07-21-2016

North Dakota State College of Science students recently earned top honors at the national SkillsUSA Championships.

Ryan Iverson, a Precision Machining Technology student from Grand Forks, N.D., earned a gold medal in the CNC Milling Specialist category. The CNC Milling Specialist contest evaluates preparation for employment in Computer Numeric Control Milling by assessing the ability to write CNC milling programs, interpret prints and measure/gage parts.

Ethan Fettig of Bismarck, N.D., and Chantel Hamann of Moorhead, Minn. each secured a bronze medal at the competition. Fettig, a Diesel Technology student, earned a bronze medal in the Diesel Equipment Technology category while Hamann, a Powersports Technology student, earned a bronze medal in the Power Equipment Technology category.

The SkillsUSA Championships were held in Louisville, Ky., in June during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. More than 6,000 students competed for national recognition in the 52nd annual SkillsUSA Championships in 100 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as electronics, precision machining, public speaking and culinary arts. Contests tested competencies set by industry, and were run with the help of industry, trade associations and labor organizations.

NDSCS Students Excel at North Dakota SkillsUSA Contest

Old Main
06-01-2017

Students from the North Dakota State College of Science received a number of awards at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held in Bismarck this spring. By achieving gold medals at the state level, 14 of these students qualified to compete in their respective categories at the national SkillsUSA Championships, which will be held in Louisville, Ky. in June.

The NDSCS students who received gold, silver or bronze medals at the state competition include:

COLORADO
Evans:
 Jessica Starkey, Motorcycle Service Technology, Silver

MINNESOTA
Cottage Grove:
 Alex Johnson, Welding, Silver
Fergus Falls: Jared Christenson, Electrical Construction Wiring, Silver; Richard Grimm, Welding Fabrication, Gold; Mason Tell, Automotive Service Technology, Bronze; Jared Wick, Culinary Arts, Bronze
Frazee: Ryan Bade, Collision Repair Technology, Gold
Moorhead: Chantel Hamann, Power Equipment Technology, Gold
Sartell: Cole Moritz, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Spring Grove: Mitchell Anderson, Welding Fabrication, Gold
Wheaton: Brayden Lampe, Welding Fabrication, Gold

MONTANA
Sidney: 
Sean Lofthus, Welding Sculpture, Silver

NORTH DAKOTA
Argusville: Noah Trangsrud, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Bismarck: Tony DaSilva, Welding Sculpture, Bronze
Cando: Larry MacDonald, Automotive Service Technology, Silver
Des Lacs: Jonathan Fritel, CNC Technician, Gold
Dickinson: Shelby Kilwein, Diesel Equipment Technology, Bronze
Fargo: Joe Brunner, Culinary Arts, Gold; Chandler Rheault, Welding Sculpture, Gold
Grafton: Justin Simon, Welding, Gold
Jamestown: Kyle Schumacher, Automotive Service Technology, Gold
Lisbon: Cassie Witte, Culinary Arts, Silver
Marion: Greg Lahlum, Diesel Equipment Technology, Gold
New Rockford: Colten Schafer, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Rugby: Kurt Pfau, Diesel Equipment Technology, Silver
Strasburg: Trent Mattern, Motorcycle Service Technology, Gold
Valley City: Brandon Compson, CNC Turning Specialist, Gold
Williston: Ryan Hellen, Electrical Construction Wiring, Gold; Cullen Weigel, Electrical Construction Wiring, Bronze

SOUTH DAKOTA:
Herreid:
 Josh Orth, Motorcycle Service Technology, Bronze