Southeastern Industrial Technology program receives donations
Contact: Rene Abadie
Date: April 23, 2012
HAMMOND – Several companies have donated more than $25,000 in equipment and supplies to Southeastern Louisiana University's Industrial Technology program.
The donations include a large supply of carbide machining inserts donated by Corey Anderson, whose family operated Wholesale Industrial Equipment and Supplies of Covington. Valued at more than $20,000 the inserts are made of cemented carbide materials that are used in machining the extremely hard, space-age metals and alloys used in manufacturing today, explained instructor Anthony Blakeney.
"Manufacturing processes today demand higher productivity requiring stronger tools than ever," explained Blakeney, who teaches materials science, metallurgy and welding in the Industrial Technology program. "This donation from the Anderson family will provide our students with the kind of equipment used in modern manufacturing processes."
The international company 3M has donated 9 new automatic darkening helmets used in metallurgy and welding courses. The masks – with retail values ranging from $300 to one with a built-in respirator valued at more than $2,000 – are the latest equipment donation from the company provided through 3M engineer Derek Baker, a colleague of Blakeney in the American Welding Society. Over the years, the company has donated a variety of personal protective equipment to be used by students.
Blakeney said Don Kent of Kent Welding Supply in Fluker has also donated supplies and equipment to the program valued at more than $1,500.
"Industrial partners like these are a great help to our program, especially in tight budget situations," Blakeney said. "Their donations provide our students with the latest equipment and supplies so that they can be adequately prepared when they enter the workforce."
The Southeastern Industrial Technology program provides a management-oriented curriculum in manufacturing technology and is nationally accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).
