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Article published by Bobbi Steffens at Wahpeton Daily News on October 22, 2024. 

There is a growing demand for precision machinists in the workforce. 

A local college has received grant funding to help reduce costs for students in that field of study. 

The Gene Haas Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to support the Precision Machining Technology department at North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS). The funds will be used to award scholarships to current and future NDSCS Precision Machining Technology students. 

According to Academic Program Outreach Specialist at NDSCS Leslie Shirek, this year's grant follows a $50,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation in the fall of 2023. That grant resulted in scholarships for 10 first year Precision Machining Technology students. 

The Precision Machining Technology program provides students with vital skills in CNC programming, setup and operation, production machining, mold and die making, toolmaking, and automated manufacturing. 

“Students can utilize the scholarship dollars for tuition, tools, housing, or anything else to support their education,” said Precision Machining Technology Associate Professor/Program Coordinator Steve Johnson. “We are grateful for the Gene Haas Foundation's continued support of our program and our students. They are more for precision metalworking education than any other.” 

Three representatives from Productivity Inc. visited NDSCS to present the check on behalf of the Gene Haas Foundation. The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999, by Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Inc., to support the needs of the local community. 

Seeing a growing need for skilled manufacturing employees industry wide, the Foundation expanded its mission to include support for manufacturing training programs throughout North America and beyond. 

By providing scholarship grants, sponsoring individual and team CNC competitions, and partnering with the very best CNC training programs in the world, the Foundation helps expand the availability of high-quality manufacturing technology training worldwide. 

“Students are so appreciative of the financial support the Gene Haas Foundation provides them. The first ten students entering our Machining program obtain $2,500, automatically,” Shirek said. “They don’t need to apply for the scholarship, they merely need to register for classes and show up in the fall. The scholarship dollars continue on to our second year students and that is based on their GPA.” 

This important grant from the Gene Haas Foundation marks a substantial investment in the education and training of future machinists at NDSCS. It reflects the foundation’s dedication to fostering the development of highly skilled professionals in the machining industry. 

Precision machinists work with various tools and machines to create, modify, and repair precision parts and components. Their tasks typically include: 

• CNC machining: Operating CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines to cut and shape materials like metal, plastic, and wood to exact specifications. 
• Blueprint reading: Interpreting technical drawings and specifications to understand project requirements. 
• Setup and calibration: Setting up machines, including selecting and installing tools, fixtures, and attachments, and calibrating equipment for precise operations. 
• Quality control: Inspecting and measuring finished parts using tools like calipers, micrometers, and gauges to ensure they meet required tolerances and standards. 
• Toolmaking: Designing and fabricating tools and fixtures used in the manufacturing process. 
• Troubleshooting: Identifying and resolving issues with machines, tools, or processes to maintain production efficiency. 
• Production machining: Producing high volumes of parts, often working in a production environment where precision and speed are critical. 
• Collaboration: Working closely with engineers and other team members to refine designs and improve manufacturing processes. 

Overall, precision machinists play a crucial role in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing, ensuring high-quality components are produced accurately and efficiently. 

“It’s a great time to look into becoming a machinist. No problem finding a job, outstanding scholarships and low cost tuition,” Shirek said. “This past summer we had an extreme facelift to the Precision Machining Lab with updated floors, lights, electrical and more. Students will learn in a state of the art facility with an excellent student to faculty ratio and our incredible instructors.”

The Gene Haas Foundation donates millions of dollars every year to manufacturing education and the community. In 2022, the Gene Haas Foundation provided more than $27 million in grants, bringing the total since inception to more than $175 million.

Three North Dakota State College of Science students are among the 124 recipients of $675,000 in 2024 Work Ethic Scholarships from the Mike Rowe Works Foundation.

Jacob Berndt, Hannah Myers and Brayden Schmeichel follow in the footsteps of five NDSCS students who received scholarships in fall 2023. The previous honorees were Stockton Buck, Walter Guse, Trever Severinsen, Koby Valentin and Mark Weimer.

The Mike Rowe Works Foundation, which is launching its next scholarship cycle in 2024, expects much from applicants. This includes enrolling in an approved program, signing the “S.W.E.A.T. Pledge,” answering four questions about the pledge, making a video, having two solid references from a teacher or boss, verifying school costs, providing high school or college transcripts and sending the most 1040 tax form.

“We’re on a mission to help close the skills gap by challenging the stigmas and stereotypes that discourage people from pursuing the millions of available jobs,” the foundation stated. “We’re redefining the definition of a good education and a good job, because we don’t think a four-year degree is the best path for the most people. We want people to understand the impact of skilled labor on their lives, and we’re convinced that the solution has to start with a new appreciation for hard work.”

These are Berndt, Myers and Schmeichel’s stories.

Jacob Berndt

• “My dad has his own machine shop out in Mooreton,” said Berndt, 19, a first year precision machining major from Wahpeton. “I like precision machining. I think it’s pretty cool. My dad went here and went through the same program as I am going through now.”

• Berndt hopes to one day succeed his dad Chris in the family business. “It’s pretty cool to do what he did,” Jacob Berndt said.

• “I heard about the scholarship from my dad,” Berndt said. “He pushed me to complete that application. It did take forever to do the work — I didn’t want to do the video, but I did.” This made Berndt learning that he received the scholarship much more exciting.

• Freshman year has been fun for Berndt. “I feel like I’m always learning something that I’m going to use later in my life,” he said. When he’s not in class, Berndt enjoys hunting and fishing.

• Berndt is looking back with some respect for the long hours needed to get his $3,500 scholarship. “It’s definitely worth it,” he said.

Hannah Myers

• “I graduated early from high school,” said Myers, 17, a first year electrical technology major from Garrison, North Dakota. “I mentioned electrical technology to my grandma, because my coworkers were talking about it, and she had me tour here.”

• After graduation, Myers hopes to work until she becomes journeyman. “That’s all I have for now,” she said.

• Myers heard about the Rowe Scholarship through her grandmother, Elaine Myers. Hannah Myers admitted that she almost gave up on her application because of how much was required. “But, I pushed through,” she said.

• School has been going well for Myers, she said. She enjoys hanging out with friends and participating in campus activities, whether it’s playing games together or going to all-school events.

• The recipient of a $5,000 scholarship, Myers advises curious students to “just push through and submit your application.”

Brayden Schmeichel

• “Reviews of NDSCS that I had read said how teachers and students treated one another like family,” said Schmeichel, 20, a second year construction management major from Jamestown, North Dakota. “I wanted to go to school where I could make some new friends.”

• Schmeichel plans to spend the winter semester lining up work for after graduation. “I want to work my way up the ladder,” he said.

• The 2024 Work Ethic Scholarship appealed to Schmeichel because of the importance it places on one’s work ethic, which he likes.

• Schmeichel is enjoying his major and learning more about the construction industry. Construction is something he has enjoyed since boyhood and also a good fit for his interest in leadership.

• The recipient of a $1,500 scholarship, Schmeichel said he applied early and worked in portions. “I was excited to win this,” he said.

• “If you are a person who will wake up early in the morning, go to your job, have a goal for the day and are willing to put in some extra hours for that goal, I think this scholarship is perfect for you. Take your time when applying for it,” Schmeichel said.

• When he’s not in class, Schmeichel enjoys hanging out with “some really great lifetime friends that I’ve met here.”

Daily News shares Jacob Berndt, Hannah Myers and Brayden Schmeichel’s thanks for receiving the Mike Rowe Works Foundation’s 2024 Work Ethic Scholarship. We also congratulate the three youth and the quintet of 2023 Work Ethic Scholarship winners, wishing all much continued success, especially in the Southern Red River Valley.

Article published by Frank Stanko at Wahpeton Daily News on January 15, 2024.