Media Releases

North Central College receives Dart Foundation grant for state-of-the-art measurement devices

Jun 20, 2018

North Central College’s Metrology Lab in the Dr. Myron Wentz Science Center will be welcoming new equipment as well as new engineering students this fall thanks to a generous grant from the Dart Foundation.

The grant funds purchase of a Mark-10 ESM 1500, a force tester for tension and compression measurement, as well as a Mark-10 ESM 303, which measures compression, fatigue, impact, strain and material ductility.

A recent report by the Education Advisory Board indicates a 51 percent growth in regional and local demand for engineers within just the past two years. North Central intends to help fill this need by launching a distinctive engineering program that produces the “ideal engineer” with a comprehensive liberal arts education for companies in the Midwest.

Engineering students work in the Dr. Myron Wentz Science Center at North Central College

Engineering students work in the Dr. Myron Wentz Science Center at North Central College

“Our concept for the ‘ideal engineer’ involves lots of hands-on experience to develop an engineer's intuition,” said Frank Harwath, director of the engineering program and professor of engineering. “The Mark-10 ESM’s will help students understand material and assembly failure modes, and give them a chance to redesign and re-test to see if they are successful. It will also give them an appreciation for how important understanding failure is in preventing it.”

The Dart Foundation is a private family foundation established by Dart Container Corporation founder William A. Dart and his wife Claire T. Dart. The foundation supports projects that enhance education, especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, and those that improve the quality of life in specific communities.

North Central College's program include the electrical engineering degree, computer and mechanical engineering degrees, as well as a unique dual-degree program. Visit Engineering to see how North Central prepares the 21st-century engineer.

North Central's Frank Harwath, director of the engineering program and professor of engineering, accepts grant check from Dart Foundation

North Central's Frank Harwath, director of the engineering program and professor of engineering, accepted the grant check from the Dart Foundation