Lone Star College Foundation works with businesses in various industries that seek educated and trained employees to fill their open positions and handle the increasing demands for their services. 

“Lone Star College Foundation builds relationships with individuals, corporations and nonprofit organizations to help students fund their education, which leads to productive employment and better communities,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, LSC Foundation Executive Director. 

The Gene Haas Foundation gave 19 scholarships to LSC-CyFair, LSC-North Harris and LSC-University Park students enrolled in the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technologist training or CNC machining-based engineering programs in 2023. Gene Haas Foundation, a longtime donor, has provided over 90 scholarships to LSC because it appreciates the value an educated workforce adds to the machining/manufacturing industry. 

“The Gene Haas Foundation recognizes the growing need for more skilled employees dedicated to financially supporting educational institutions like Lone Star College that offer quality educational programs that will train the next generation of workers,” said Kathy Looman, Gene Haas Foundation Education Grants Director. “Lone Star College offers one of the leading training programs in their region. We are excited to help their students receive the training and education needed to enter the machining/manufacturing industry.” 

Kenneth Jones, a machining technology student at LSC-CyFair, credits the program for employing professors with real-world experience to instruct students on what the industry wants in a skilled workforce. Jones is a Gene Haas Foundation Scholarship recipient who used the funds to pay tuition and cover other educational expenses. 

“I am pursuing a career in machining because I like to build things, stay busy and I do not like to be behind a desk all day,” said Jones. “This program is helping me prepare for a career in machining because the instructors are willing to share their firsthand knowledge, which I can’t get out of a textbook.” 

Jones attended LSC-Conroe Center in 2019 and earned all three welding certificates. He is interested in LSC’s Mechanical Engineering program once he graduates from the Machining Technology Program. Jones served in the United States Army for 20 years as an Infantryman and has held several leadership positions.

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999, by Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Inc., to support the needs of the local community, through grants to such local charities and donates millions of dollars every year to manufacturing education and the community.  

Lone Star College Foundation impacts students' daily lives by reducing the financial barriers to a quality college education. Currently 24,500 students have felt that impact, with over $23.2 million awarded in scholarships and nearly $10 million in program support since the Foundation's inception in 1991. Visit LoneStar.edu/Giving to learn more.