CAMS building one step closer to completion

The Hudsonian Student Newspaper Wednesday, November, 8Wednesday, November, 8 0 Comments

Hunter Wallace
News Editor

Pictured from left to right: Chairperson of the Board of Directors of The Foundation Frank Sarratori, Karen Matonak, president Andrew Matonak, board of trustees chairperson Neil Kelleher, interim executive director of The Foundation Regina LaGatta.
COURTESY OF HVCC.EDU

The Hudson Valley Community College Foundation has raised $100,000 toward the construction of the upcoming Gene F. Haas Center for Advanced Manufacturing Skills.
The update was revealed during The Foundation’s annual Gala on Oct. 20 at the Franklin Plaza ballroom in Troy.

Funds for CAMS have been raised through a combination of public sector and private industry investment. In recognition of President Matonak’s service to Hudson Valley, the lobby of the new center will be dedicated in his name.

“The contribution of $100,000 brings the college closer to its goal of $3.25 million for the construction and equipment necessary to build CAMS,” said Communications & Marketing Specialist Teresa Farrell.

While there is no official completion date for CAMS, financial contributions of all types are gratefully accepted.

“Any and all contributions bring us closer to our goal, and the sooner we reach that goal, the sooner we can begin work,” Farrell said. “However, it’s still too soon to give an estimated completion date at this time.”

At the event, President Andrew J. Matonak, Ed.D. was honored with the Foundation’s Leadership Award for service and dedication to the college and community. Matonak plans to retire from his position at Hudson Valley after 13 years of service next August, and this year’s event was dedicated to honoring his accomplishments.

President Matonak has been updating and expanding Hudson Valley’s services and facilities since he became president in 2005.

Throughout his tenure, HVCC has created more than 20 new degree and certificate programs, expanded student support services and built several new buildings, including the $47.4 million, 100,000-square-foot Science Center, the $13.5 million TEC-SMART extension center in Malta and a new $4.5 million Outdoor Athletic Complex.

His efforts to advance CAMS will be his tribute to increasing student support and expanding the college’s facilities.

When completed, the $14.5 million, 37,000 square-foot CAMS facility will be the largest advanced manufacturing training center of its kind in the United States. The facility will be filled with modern equipment, the newest machine tools and the latest technology. Hudson Valley will subsequently be able to double enrollment in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology.

CAMS will also help to fill the shortage of well-trained, skilled craftspeople in the Capital Region manufacturing industry.

To find more information on the CAMS building, visit http://www.hvcc.edu/foundation/cams.html.