O/N BOCES celebrates grand opening of upgraded Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering classroom

$250K grant from Gene Haas Foundation goes to machining program

Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: A crowd of about 120 celebrated the opening of Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) classroom at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES on Thursday.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – Over 120 people attended the grand opening on Thursday of the new Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) classroom at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.

Thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation the machining program, taught by Bill Rakonczay for over 30 years, the classroom and lab were completely upgraded to one of the most state-of-the-art programs in the state.

Pictured from left include Bill Rakonczay (AME teacher), Eric Schwenzer (Haas Foundation Outlet-Nymat Machine Tool Corporation) and Jeff Brauer (Nymat Machine Tool Corporation).

Representatives from Gene Haas Foundation, Edge Factor, local manufacturing company, BOCES students and staff members, parents and the members of the community were on hand for the ribbon cutting.

Guest speakers included Bill Rakonczay, Orleans Career and Technical Education Center Principal Nicole Goyette, Orleans/Niagara BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Clark Godshall, Jeremy Bout from Edge Factor and Kathy Looman, director of the Gene Haas Foundation.

“It is a pretty amazing feeling to have a career last as long as mine and towards the end of my career to be at such a high point,” Rakonczay said.

Principal Nicole Goyette said, “We are so happy to say the AME program is full to the brim for next year. Machinists will be coming out of that lab for years to come!”

Pictured from left include Kathy Looman (Director of Gene Haas Foundation), Brain Cregg (Nymat Machine Tool Corporation), Jeremy Bout (Edge Factor), Jason Roth (Autodesk) and Bill Rakonczay.

Kathy Looman (Director of Gene Haas Foundation) celebrates with students and staff at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES in Medina.