Haas Foundation funds scholarship gift

UNC Charlotte is a leader in the field of advance machining engineering, and in support of the University’s efforts, the Gene Haas Foundation has donated $20,000 to the Lee College Department of Mechanical and Engineering Science Department for student scholarships.

“The Gene Haas Foundation has been providing scholarships to help build skills within the machining industry,” said Tripp Robinson, a sales engineer with Phillips Corporation/Jeffreys Division Haas Factory Outlet. Haas Automation is the largest machine tool builder in the United States, manufacturing a complete line of CNC machines, lathes and rotary products. “Our goal is to help students develop the skills they need to build successful careers in manufacturing, and by supporting scholarships we hope to help them finance their education. UNC Charlotte has great machining facilities here, which are important to it graduating so many good engineers.”

The scholarship gift and the continuing relationship with Haas reinforce the Lee College of Engineering’s overall philosophy of experiential learning, said Mechanical Engineering Department Chair Scott Smith. “Manufacturing and design-and-build is woven throughout our curriculum. From the freshman year on, all of our students work in the machine shop to build projects. This gift supports our commitment to providing hands-on engineering education.”

Since 1999, the Haas Foundation has awarded funds for scholarships and to help meet the needs of local communities and deserving charities. To date, more than 1,200 charitable organizations and schools have received funds totaling more than $27 million from the foundation.

“We have one of the best machining programs in the country,” said Lee College of Engineering Dean Bob Johnson, “and it is an honor to have this relationship with Haas. Its support is a great assistance to our students and to our program.”