SALISBURY – The Gene Haas Foundation has awarded Rowan-Cabarrus Community College a grant of $12,500 to assist students enrolled in manufacturing, machining and engineering-related programs.

Funds will be used to support scholarships, National Institute of Metalworking Skills credentialing and department sponsorships.

RCCC computer-integrated machining instructor Jason Hill accepted a check for $12,500 from Haas Foundation representative Kyle Asmuth of Phillips Corp. at a recent meeting of the College’s Board of Trustees.

RCCC’s advanced manufacturing and engineering offerings include an Associate in Engineering degree, along with computer-integrated machining, electronics engineering technology, industrial engineering technology, mechanical drafting technology, mechanical engineering technology, mechatronics engineering technology and welding technology.

“We continue to see consistent demand in the industry for people with these skills, and students coming out of these programs are hired quickly into positions with job security and room for growth,” RCCC President Carol Spalding said.

Up to $2,500 of the grant money may be used for sponsorships of manufacturing and engineering project teams or competitions such as SkillsUSA, which allow students to take their training and talents outside the classroom or lab setting.

Gene Haas, owner of Haas Automation, established the foundation in 1999 to furnish scholarship grants to institutions that provide education in computer-numeric controlled machining and other training related to the manufacturing industry.

“We appreciate the continued partnership of the Gene Haas Foundation to help our students pursue successful careers in manufacturing and enhance our region’s economic development,” Spalding said.

RSS Summer Meals will begin June 3

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Hood Theological Seminary will host virtual commencement May 15

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Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III will be the 2021 speaker. Bishop Reddick is the Presiding Prelate of the Eighth Episcopal District and the senior bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.