Gene Haas chooses SAIT for its largest donation to a Canadian post-secondary institution

Dec. 5, 2016 – The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) received a US$1 million contribution from the Gene Haas Foundation in support of applied education in Alberta.

The funds will be used to expand and enhance SAIT’s machining labs at the Thomas Riley building through the School of Manufacturing and Automation. Renovations are scheduled to begin in early 2017.
 
“The long-term partnerships we foster with industry are vital in setting our students up for success,” said Dr. David Ross, SAIT president and CEO. “This generous gift from the Gene Haas Foundation inspires industry confidence and is testament to SAIT’s global leadership in applied education. The relationship we are building with the foundation will be transformative, enabling cross-industry diversification for our students for years to come.”

This is the U.S.-based foundation’s largest gift to any Canadian post-secondary institution to date.
 
“Gene Haas believes a manufacturing base is fundamental to a strong economy,” said Kathy Looman, Gene Haas Foundation administrator. “This passionate view led him to grow his personal foundation and focus on manufacturing education throughout North America. Our foundation now provides millions of dollars in scholarships annually, as well as funds for the growth of selected capital projects, for outstanding programs delivered by respected educational institutions such as SAIT.”