HARRISBURG, Pa. – The HACC Foundation and TE Connectivity Foundation celebrated their nearly three-decade partnership today, May 8, 2014, with the dedication of the new TE Connectivity Foundation 3-D Print Lab, at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College’s Midtown Center, in the building located at 1500 N. Third St., Harrisburg.

The TE Connectivity Foundation donated more than $27,000 to establish the new 3-D print lab. The lab will benefit HACC students studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Additive manufacturing (3-D printing) uses a digital model to create a 3-D solid object. The additive process uses successive layers of material – metal, human tissue, plastic, food and more – to create different shapes. This technology can be used for prototyping or manufacturing in various fields, including but not limited to, military, education, medical industries, aerospace, fashion, food and engineering.*

“Engineers are problem solvers by nature. Where others may shy away from tough challenges, we meet them head on,” said Rob Shaddock, executive vice president and chief technology officer at TE Connectivity. “The TE Connectivity Foundation is proud to share our passion for problem solving with the students at HACC and hopes that 3-D printing not only becomes an integral part of their education, but also helps solidify a continued interest in science, technology, engineering and math as our next generation of technologists.”

Forrest Lysinger, HACC mechanical engineering technology instructor, said, "The gift of the printers will expand opportunities for our students and place them on the cutting edge of the additive manufacturing revolution.”

The TE Connectivity 3-D Print Lab will increase the number of opportunities for HACC students to work with their own designs and build physical models. Jake Dietz, a HACC student said, “Working with the 3-D printer has prepared me to enter the workforce with a competitive advantage. The classroom training has allowed me to make a smooth transition into my new position and become an asset to my employer.” Another HACC student, Daniel M. Merrill, said, “Having the 3-D printers allows us to move from simply visualizing the part to physically inspecting the part hands on.”

“The dedication of the new 3-D print lab is a symbol of the strong partnership between the College and TE,” said John J. "SKI" Sygielski, Ed.D., HACC’s president. “Through the generosity of TE and the TE Connectivity Foundation, gifts to the HACC Foundation total more than $840,000 since 1985. The TE Connectivity Foundation is also a premium event sponsor of HACC’s 50^th anniversary year, which includes a named scholarship fund through the HACC Foundation.”

For additional HACC "TE Connectivity Foundation 3-D Print Lab" photos, please visit HACC's Flickr set at https://www.flickr.com/photos/hacc/sets/72157644594806334/

Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing

About the HACC Foundation
The HACC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established in 1985 to raise private and corporate revenues in support of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. In fiscal year 2013-14 alone, the HACC Foundation contributed close to $2.2 million to the College in scholarships, special programs and facilities and provided financial assistance to 1,345 students.

Contributions to the HACC Foundation are accepted in the form of unrestricted gifts to augment endowed funds, contributions to existing or new scholarship programs or award funds, support for academic and workforce programs, sponsorship of special events and cultural programs and contributions made in honor or in memory of individuals. In addition, the Foundation holds annual events, including the Frank J. Dixon Tournament for Scholarships at HACC, and various scholarship award ceremonies. The HACC Foundation is gratefully YOURS.

For more information on the HACC Foundation, visit http://www.hacc.edu/HACCFoundation/ or the College’s YouTube channel.

About TE Connectivity
TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL) is a $13 billion world leader in connectivity. The company designs and manufactures products at the heart of electronic connections for the world’s leading industries including automotive, energy and industrial, broadband communications, consumer devices, healthcare, and aerospace and defense. TE Connectivity’s long-standing commitment to innovation and engineering excellence helps its customers solve the need for more energy efficiency, always-on communications and ever-increasing productivity. With nearly 90,000 employees in over 50 countries, TE Connectivity makes connections the world relies on to work flawlessly every day. To connect with the company, visit www.TE.com.

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