Richmond company to provide scholarships for local degree program
Kevin Ahaus, president of Ahaus Tool and Engineering, will provide 10 $1,000 scholarships and is challenging others in the Richmond community to match the scholarship money to bring a total of 20 students into the new program.
"Purdue University College of Technology at Richmond is vital to the existing and future growth of our community," Ahaus said. "Ahaus Tool and Engineering has used the college to help advance several employees to the next level in their careers. From toolmaker to manager, designer to project engineer and student to owner, Ahaus employees have completed degrees in Richmond. Purdue is a great asset and is moving in the right direction with the new bachelor of science in engineering technology degree."
The College of Technology will begin offering the BSET at Richmond, Anderson, Kokomo and South Bend next fall.
The program is designed to give students an opportunity to earn a Purdue degree while staying close to home and to provide trained workers for specific community needs. The focus of the degree program at each location will be determined by the work force and economic needs of the region.
The BSET program builds upon six core College of Technology technical disciplines: computer graphics, computer and information technology, electrical and computer engineering technology, industrial technology, mechanical engineering technology, and organizational leadership and supervision.
The curriculum has been developed over two years with input from community and business leaders, county and city officials, state work force development personnel, and faculty.
"The design of the BSET program will allow Purdue to be more nimble and responsive to the needs of the communities, such as Richmond, that the College of Technology serves," said Duane Dunlap, associate dean.
"Support like that being provided by Ahaus Tool and Engineering shows that we're on the right track with the BSET program. We appreciate the company's willingness to step up and help students get started on their degree."
More information on the BSET program at
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbausitn@purdue.edu
Sources: Kevin Ahaus, kahaus@ahaus.com
Duane Dunlap, 765-496-9468, ddunlap@purdue.edu
Barbara Alder, 765-973-8228, balder@purdue.edu
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