Hartford, Conn. - The Connecticut State College and Universities (ConnSCU) honored industry partners, staff and students of the state's four Advanced Manufacturing Centers on Wed., Dec. 11 at the 2013 Advanced Manufacturing Awards Ceremony. Joined by Governor Dannel P. Malloy; Elliot Ginsberg, president and CEO of the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc.; and David Levinson, vice president for community colleges, Board of Regents for Higher Education, the event celebrated innovation and exemplary achievement in the field of precision manufacturing.

The NVCC Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center was recognized as one of four programs launched in 2012 through the Dream It. Do It. Initiative to create the next generation of skilled manufacturers. To date, 126 Level I and II certificates have been awarded and that number will continue to climb in January as fall grades are processed.

NVCC student Darlene Blumenthal was honored with the Outstanding Student Award. One of six women enrolled in the inaugural manufacturing class, Darlene was the first student to be offered employment. Since completing the program in May 2013 with a GPA of 3.55, Darlene has already moved into a second professional position and continues to take classes toward an associate degree part-time.

Douglas Johnson, vice president of operations for The Marion Manufacturing Company in Cheshire, received the Industry Partner Award. As a member of the NVCC Manufacturing Advisory Council, Mr. Johnson helps advise curriculum and reinforce connections between training and local workforce needs. He also initiated the relocation of the Smaller Manufacturing Association to the NVCC campus last January.

Back on campus, Level I manufacturing students were recognized for their high marks by President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. All students who earned a grade of B or better were invited to take a complementary MasterCam software program class over the winter break at no cost. The top ten students were also offered an Introduction to Welding course.  

In November 40 students attended the STEM/Advanced Manufacturing Technology Expo at CoCo Key Resort in Waterbury. The event was sponsored by the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce and featured 37 area manufacturer and employment-related companies.