LEWISTON, Idaho – Clearwater Paper Corp. has pledged $38,000 toward classrooms and space in the new Schweitzer Career & Technical Education Center, college officials have announced.
The donation includes money for an engineering technology classroom, a millwright classroom, and break out space for students.
The Schweitzer CTE Center is being built in the Lewiston Orchards and is scheduled to open in time for the fall semester. It will be a regional CTE center, serving the needs of students from LC State, neighboring Lewiston High School, and others throughout the region. The facility will house most of the college’s Technical & Industrial Division programs including auto mechanics technology, CNC machining technology, information technology, engineering technology, industrial electronics technology, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) technology.
LC State offers a bachelor’s and an associate’s degree track in engineering technology, as well as an advance technical certificate. Students pursuing a bachelor’s can direct their study emphasis toward Geographic Information Systems (GIS), civil, or mechanical disciplines. The maintenance/millwright program includes advanced courses in welding, blueprint reading, mechanical systems maintenance, and trade skills.
The generous donation continues a strong relationship between Clearwater Paper and LC State, especially with its Technical & Industrial Division. The two worked closely to develop the industrial maintenance/millwright technology and instrument mechanic technology programs, which started in 2014. Both programs came at the request of local industry and have a bachelor’s and an associate’s degree track, as well as an advanced technical certificate option.
The instrument mechanic program features coursework in advanced and digital electronics, programmable logic controllers, advanced instrumentation, and programming.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the support from Clearwater Paper,” LC State President Cynthia Pemberton said. “Our millwright program is a shining example of industry-academic partnership in action; and the new building will allow us to make a good program even better. We thank Clearwater Paper for this generous donation, it is just one more example of Clearwater’s commitment to our valley, our region and state.”
“All of us at Clearwater Paper are very pleased to have this opportunity to help support this local resource for those interested in pursuing excellent career paths that allow Idahoans to remain in Idaho,” said Scott Charney, consumer products plant manager at Clearwater Paper.
Clearwater Paper is a premier supplier of private brand tissue to major retailers and wholesale distributors, including grocery, drug, mass merchants and discount stores. In addition, the company produces bleached paperboard used by quality-conscious printers and packaging converters, and offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting and cutting. The company’s employees build shareholder value by developing strong relationships through quality and service. Clearwater Paper has 12 locations across the United States, including its largest plant in Lewiston.
In 2017, the Idaho Legislature approved the CTE building project and appropriated $10 million with the requirement that LC State match the funds. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories donated $2 million to the project, while SEL founder Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, and his wife Beatriz donated another $1 million. In all, donations like Clearwater Paper’s have helped generate more than $6 million towards the CTE center.
To make a donation, to learn more about naming opportunities, or to become an individual or corporate sponsor for the Schweitzer CTE Center visit www.lcsc.edu/giving, or call the LC State Foundation Office at 208-792-2458.