Gene Haas Foundation Donates to Cal Poly Engineering Program

OXNARD, CA, December 20, 2012 (Press-News.org) Cal Poly San Luis Obispo engineering students are gaining hands-on exposure to cutting-edge systems and technology, thanks to a $50,000 gift from the Gene Haas Foundation, founded by Haas Automation founder and president, Gene Haas. Opened in mid-September, the Gene Haas Laboratory for Robotics and Automation was made possible by the foundation's donation and provides students with new hardware, software and precision tools for the school's manufacturing engineering program.

The donation includes $30,000 to enhance the University's Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department's laboratory resources. It also provides $20,000 to establish Gene Haas Foundation Scholarships. Awarded to five students over a span of four years, the scholarships will help attract top freshmen to Cal Poly's manufacturing engineering program.

"Workforce development is a priority for us. Over the years, we have put 3,053 machine tools place at educational institutions for the training of future engineers and machinists," said Peter Zierhut of the Gene Haas Foundation.

Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, R-Camarillo said, "The generous contribution offered by the Gene Haas Foundation is already helping to train a new generation of engineers in the robotics and automation technology that will revitalize California's manufacturers. Haas's investment in higher education will greatly benefit all of us."

Founded by Haas in 1999, the Gene Haas Foundation also has awarded more than $8.5 million to deserving charities. The foundation was formed to fund the needs of the local community and other deserving charities. Of special importance to the foundation are children's charities and organizations that feed the poor, especially within the local community of Ventura County. In addition, the foundation provides scholarship funds to community colleges and vocational schools for students entering technical training programs, especially machinist-based certificate and degree programs.

Gene Haas founded Haas Automation, Inc., in 1983 to manufacture economical and reliable machine tools. Today, Haas Automation is the largest machine tool builder in the western world. On its Oxnard campus, it employs some 1,500 workers with an average wage of $25 per hour plus benefits.

Dedicated to creating and innovating efficient tools for the manufacturing and machining industries, Haas Automation strives to educate and employ a sustainable workforce. All Haas products are manufactured at the company's expansive facility in Oxnard, California - the largest, most modern machine tool manufacturing operation in the United States.

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