RANDOLPH — The Gene Haas Foundation has provided County College of Morris (CCM) with a $10,000 grant to continue the scholarship program it has established for students interested in mechanical engineering technology.
Since 2015, the Gene Haas Foundation, a division of Haas Automation, Inc., has provided grants totaling $50,000 to CCM to support the scholarship program. The Gene Haas Scholarship for Mechanical Engineering Technology provides up to $5,000 a year in support to two CCM full-time or part-time students, with preference given to female students. The scholarship coincides with CCM’s Women in STEM initiative to increase female employment in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
This year’s grant also was given in recognition of the CCM Foundation’s 50th Anniversary “Forward” campaign, which is raising funds to provide students with the facilities that foster innovation and inspire tomorrow’s leaders, along with ongoing scholarship and faculty support.
“We are honored by the ongoing support of the Gene Haas Foundation to assist CCM students in reaching their educational goals,” said CCM President Anthony J. Iacono at a check presentation program held Thursday, October 18. Representing the Gene Haas Foundation were John Schamarek and Gostan Abdelmesih.
The presentation was held at the site where CCM plans to construct an Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Center. The $10 million 31,500-square-foot facility will serve as a state-of-the-art center to train both the current and next generation of employees to meet industry demand.
The manufacturing industry in Morris County serves multiple sectors including pharmaceuticals, metals, plastics, production, technology and scientific instrumentation, according to the Morris County Economic Development Corporation. Jobs in the field also pay well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wages in manufacturing tend to be higher than the median for all industries. For example, the bureau reports that in 2017 industrial engineers and mechanical engineers were earning a median salary of $85,880.
With the new facility, space will be freed up in the college’s current engineering and manufacturing lab, which will allow for the construction of The Paragano Family Foundation Simulated Medical Center. Through the “Forward” Campaign, the Paragano Family Foundation provided a leadership gift to support that initiative. Along with development of that center, CCM will be expanding its healthcare programs.
