AT&T Awards Grant to Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club

Funds will be used to purchase 3D lab equipment

Students from the Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club made themselves at home as they entered the UAWC3 Lab at The University of Akron Wayne College for a special presentation on Oct. 24. In fact, they were more familiar with the equipment and technology than some of the adults who were there because every two weeks the students attend 3D printing workshops in the lab made possible by generous donations, like the one that was taking place that afternoon.

Among those in attendance was Stephen Kristan, director of external affairs, AT&T Ohio, who was there to present a check for $2,500 to Kevin Platz, director of the Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club. The grant will be used to purchase a piece of 3D printing equipment which will be housed in the College’s 3D lab facility and used by students during the workshops. They were joined by Ohio Representative Ron Amstutz, Orrville Mayor Dave Handwerk, UA Wayne College Interim Dean Dr. Dan Deckler, and Tom Hammond, UAWC3 Lab, support specialist. Together they discussed the impact 3D printing technology has had on the manufacturing sector and the career opportunities available to the next generation of learners.

“This is project-based learning at its best,” said Rep. Amstutz. “These students are gaining valuable hands on experience that could influence their future career decisions.” Stephen Kristan stated that research shows if students are encouraged to go to college as young as the eighth grade, they have a much higher success rate in life. “Preparing children for success after high school benefits them, their families, and our communities,” he added. “The Orrville Area Boys and Girls Club and Wayne College are helping these young people become excited about new technologies. We are proud to support this program.”

UA Wayne College is a regional branch of The University of Akron, offering associate and bachelor’s degree programs in addition to an AACSB-accredited Saturday MBA program through the UA College of Business Administration.

Photo caption: AT&T Ohio awarded a grant to the Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club to purchase 3D printing equipment that will provide real world application experiences for students who attend 3D printing workshops at Wayne College. (L-R) Tom Hammond, UAWC3 Lab, support specialist, Kevin Platz, director of the Orrville Area Boys & Girls Club, Stephen Kristan, director of external affairs, AT&T Ohio, Ohio Representative Ron Amstutz, Orrville Mayor Dave Handwerk, Dr. Dan Deckler, interim dean, Wayne College, and Morgan Silvey, engineering student, Wayne College.