PORT EWEN – Ulster BOCES received a financial boost for its Advanced Robotics & Engineering and Custom Robotics Design & Manufacturing programs on Thursday, April 28.
The Gene Haas Foundation donated $20,000 to provide scholarships to graduates of the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center’s manufacturing programs who are looking to further their education in the manufacturing industry. Between 2013-2015, the foundation donated a total of $27,500 in scholarship funds.
The Manufacturing Lab also received four new pieces of equipment at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year. The equipment, which has an estimated total value of $192,000, was generously donated by Haas Factory Outlet, a Division of Allendale Machinery Systems, located in Upper Saddle River, NJ, and Haas Automation, in Oxnard, CA.
Neil McGill, director of operations at Allendale Machinery Systems Inc, was on hand to present the check to instructor Mark Harris. He says that company is impressed with Ulster BOCES commitment to manufacturing. “They have really put an effort into growing the program,” says McGill. “People in the industry speak highly of the program.”
“This scholarship is just one more way to encourage the growth of industry in our community,” says instructor Mark Harris.
Harold King, executive vice president of the Council of Industry of Southeastern New York agreed.
“Scholarships like this one ensure that talented young people who are interested in the field are able to acquire the education and skills they need to be successful in manufacturing,” says King.
The Gene Haas Foundation was created in 1999 by Gene Haas, the founder of Haas Automation. The foundation provides scholarships for students entering technical training programs.
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