

ARCHBOLD, OHIO –The Gene Haas Foundation has awarded a grant for $15,000 to support the scholarship program at Northwest State Community College. The “Gene Haas Scholarships” will benefit students who are currently enrolled in, or will be enrolled in a machining-based training program at the College.
The Gene Haas Scholarship, along with a new training model being launched at Northwest State this month, will open the doors to education for more students in programs such as Machining CNC Programming, Programmable Controller (PLC) and Industrial Maintenance. The new education model will allow students that cannot come to the College for traditional classes to do much of their work from home via online learning and specially-created software that allows them practice hands-on training through simulation models. Students then utilize the College lab time that is an “open lab” with instructors available all day and into the evening. Students work at their own pace and as they master each education model, an instructor will be able to test their knowledge and skill and allow them to move on to the next training module.
According to Ron Scozzari, dean of industrial technologies, “Northwest Ohio is a manufacturing hub, with nearly one in three employed persons in manufacturing. Machining skills are critical to supporting the technological growth and capabilities of those industries.” ” He continued, “The Haas Foundation Scholarship has acknowledged, through their generous contribution, the relevancy of machining skills in our region, and has provided this opportunity for our current and future students seeking a rewarding career in this discipline area through our machining skills program. ”
In 1999, Gene Haas founded the Gene Haas Foundation. Haas is the owner of Haas Automation, Inc., America’s leading builder of CNC machine tools, which he started in 1983. Gene’s commitment to the importance of US manufacturing has incited him to grow his personal foundation and direct his foundation board to focus on manufacturing education in the form of scholarships for CNC machinist training. To date, more than 1200 charitable (501c3) organizations and schools have received funds totaling over 38 million dollars from the Gene Haas Foundation. For more information on the Industrial Maintenance Programs at Northwest State visit www.NorthwestState.edu/industrial-technologies.
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