CMM receives sixth Gene Haas grant

Published on Sep 9, 2025

The Computerized Manufacturing and Machining (CMM) program at Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) has received its sixth scholarship grant from the Gene Haas Foundation.

This year’s grant was for $12,000, bringing the total award the college has received from this foundation to $58,000.

The Gene Haas Foundation’s primary goal is to build skills in the manufacturing and machining industry by providing scholarships for machine tool technology students.

“Receiving the Gene Haas grant has some sentimental value to me,” said Levi McCarty, CMM instructor and program coordinator. “It provided a way for me to even begin the machine tool program in the first place. I graduated from the program in 2022 with a job and almost no debt from student loans because of it.”

He added, “All current and prospective students should be eligible to receive this grant. If someone were to be interested in learning this trade with their classes and books almost entirely paid for, this would be the way to go.”

Machine tool students are awarded these grants based on availability of funds, need and continued success in the CMM program.

Through classroom instruction, students in the CMM program receive hands-on experience learning to manufacture work pieces, setup and operate manual and CNC machine tools and verify the accuracy of machining processes and functions and producing finished products.

ACTC offers two diplomas and up to four certificates to prepare graduates for machine shop employment. Certificate and diploma credits may be applied toward an associate in applied science degree in general occupational/technical studies.

The degree and diploma credential program are four semesters in length. Certificates can be earned in as little as one semester or as many as three, based on pace and the certificate chosen.

McCarty can be reached at levi.mccarty@kctcs.edu.

Learn more about the CMM program by visiting https://ashland.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/computerized-manufacturing-machining.aspx.