Huber donation aids NMCC programs
PRESQUE ISLE — A significant contribution to Northern Maine Community College will provide hands-on experience for students in three of the trade and technical occupations programs.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS instructor Chuck Kelley, left, explains to NMCC students how the donation of testing equipment from Huber Engineered Woods, LLC will be used in various program laboratories.
Huber Engineered Woods, LLC, of Easton, has donated a large, previously used piece of equipment designed to test the strength of wood products. However, NMCC will extend the life of the Demco CSL machine by breaking it down and repurposing the components for use in lab activities for the electrical construction and maintenance, welding and metal fabrication, and wind power technology programs.
“The learning experience begins by carefully disassembling the machine and taking an inventory of the parts,” said Chuck Kelley, electrical/electronics instructor. “Among other applications, the hydraulic components will be used in the industrial fluid power course, a requirement of the wind power program and we will be able to build electrical trainers for our control systems classes. Work has already begun on one of the trainers.”
Over the years, NMCC has been able to save thousands of program dollars thanks to the generosity of community partners like Huber.
“We’re very grateful to Huber for this important donation. Not only is this a cost savings for the college, but it also enhances the learning experience for our students,” said Todd Maynard, electrical construction and maintenance program director. “This contribution has added a new and unexpected dimension to the course description, and students enjoy the flexibility of the class and the new challenges presented to them.”
“Huber and other generous donors have helped keep our courses fresh and relevant with contributions of equipment that our students will encounter in the workplace,” said Timothy Crowley, NMCC president. “Our instructors are skilled in fully utilizing these gifts and incorporating them into the learning opportunity for our students.”
The scrap value of the machine is approximately $3,000, but several of the components have a far greater value when used separately in the college laboratories.
