Gene Haas Foundation to Present Donation to Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program

January 9, 2017

What: The Gene Haas Foundation will be presenting a check for $30,000 to support the students of Hudson Valley Community College's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program. The funds will go toward student support scholarships that will provide financial assistance for students entering the program. This is the third such gift in as many years from the foundation.

The Gene Haas Foundation funds community causes across the country, many of which are related to supporting a skilled manufacturing workforce. Since its creation in 1999, the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded in excess of $22 million to nearly 1,000 organizations. Gene Haas is the founder of Haas Automation, based Oxnard, California, one of the largest machine tool builders in the world.

In 2015, the college received a leadership challenge gift of $1 million from the Gene Haas Foundation for the expansion of the college's Advanced Manufacturing Technology program and Lang Hall, the building which houses the program's labs and classrooms. The college and its Foundation are now seeking further support to make the expansion a reality.

The college's Advanced Manufacturing Technology program is seen as key to educating the skilled workforce to maintain and grow the manufacturing sector in New York. It is the only such manufacturing program within 125 miles of Albany.

Where/When: The presentation will take place at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center, Hudson Valley Community College.

Details: The Advanced Manufacturing Technology A.O.S. program prepares graduates for immediate employment with many local and regional high-tech manufacturing companies performing advanced machining processes that produce tooling and components used to make everything from electronics and defense equipment, to power generators and aerospace apparatus. The program's coursework satisfies educational requirements for New York State Machinist, Toolmaker, CNC Machinist and CNC Programmer apprenticeships.

In attendance at the presentation will be: Hudson Valley President Drew Matonak; Advanced Manufacturing Technology faculty member Dave Larkin; Hudson Valley Community College Foundation Interim Executive Director Regina LaGatta; Marty McGill, vice president of Allendale Machinery Systems; and Dave Sharpe, regional representative of Allendale Machinery Systems.

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Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Science; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and an Educational Opportunity Center for academic and career training. One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, it has an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students, and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and workforce training. Hudson Valley has more than 75,000 alumni.