February 26, 2009

Five Purdue students receive Six Sigma Green Belts

Six Sigma is a set of practices that focuses on systematically improving processes by eliminating defects. A Green Belt is an employee who implements Six Sigma processes along with other job responsibilities. Green Belts work under Black Belts, who are dedicated solely to Six Sigma functions.

Chad Laux, a visiting professor of industrial technology, said the Green Belt training teaches skills such as problem solving in a technical environment, change management and entrepreneurship.

"This certification will give these students a real advantage in the work force," Laux said. "Six Sigma skills are highly valued in the business environment, and we are proud that Purdue is able to offer this training to its industrial technology students."

The students completed a course called Six Sigma Quality created by Laux last fall. The course was offered at both the South Bend and Anderson locations via teleconferencing technology.

The following industrial technology students were certified as American Society for Quality Six Sigma Green Belts:

* Susan Edwards, a December graduate of the College of Technology at South Bend

* Glen Floyd, a student at the College of Technology at South Bend

* Brandon Heffelfinger, a student at the College of Technology at South Bend

* Scott Paul, a student at the College of Technology at Anderson

* Ian Smith, a student at the College of Technology at South Bend.

In addition, Purdue began offering a Six Sigma Green Belt program in fall 2008 at the College of Technology at Anderson. A group of students from Altair Nanotechnologies Inc., a high-technology startup company in the Flagship Enterprise Center in Anderson, will complete the certificate requirements this spring and will be eligible to become certified as American Society for Quality Six Sigma Green Belts.

The College of Technology at Anderson's Six Sigma Green Belt certificate program is part of a series of courses covering two semesters and completion of a Six Sigma project.

Students interested in the certificate program can contact Laux at (765) 648-2905 or claux@purdue.edu. He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt from General Electric, Caterpillar, the American Society for Quality, and is an instructor in the Purdue program.

The College of Technology's Anderson location, located at the Anderson University Flagship Center, offers bachelor's degrees in industrial technology and organizational leadership and supervision, associate degrees in computer and information technology and organizational leadership and supervision, and courses in electrical engineering technology.

The College of Technology at South Bend offers degree programs in electrical and computer engineering technology, industrial technology, organizational leadership and supervision, computer graphics technology, and mechanical engineering technology.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Source: Chad Laux, (765) 648-2905, claux@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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