CASE Construction Equipment donated a 521F wheel loader and CX17C mini excavator to Pittsburg State University (Kansas) and its Diesel and Heavy Equipment Bachelors of Applied Sciences (BAS) program.
The donated equipment gives students hands-on training for careers ranging from off-road diesel engine technicians to engineers at major global manufacturers. Pittsburg State’s program — one of approximately 10 in the entire country that provides a four-year degree in automotive and heavy equipment technology — is recognized nationally for its quality of education and its alumni who remain engaged long after they graduate.
Three of those first graduates of the program (Dallas Grothusen (‘00), Kelly Burgess (‘01), and Ted Polzer (‘02)) represented CASE in presenting the school with the equipment.
“We are proof of the value of secondary education in engineering and diesel engine technology, and it’s with great pride that we work with a manufacturer who recognizes the importance of providing the next generation with the tools to succeed in this industry,” says Polzer, director of product and customer support, CASE. “Bringing this technology to our alma mater and empowering these students to succeed at the next level greatly improves our entire industry.”
Pittsburg State President Steve Scott agrees.
“They benefited from the investment other people have made, and now full circle they’re coming back to help that next generation,” Scott said. “It’s not just a donation, it's an investment in our students, in Pittsburg State University, and in CASE – the better our graduates are, the better your business is going to be.”
Automotive Chair John Thompson describes the industry support of partners like CASE, and alumni like Polzer, Grothusen and Burgess, as critical to the school’s success.
“What you guys do for us, and these donations, have a direct impact on what we can teach our students, and train our students on – we're grateful for this partnership,” he said.
For more information on Pittsburg State, visit PittState.edu.