Echo staff report
RCTC has received two grants from IBM to support its physics and chemistry departments.
These grants are given in recognition of the volunteer service of retired IBM engineers, Eric Skuldt (physics and engineering and Bruce Keller (chemistry).
The first $2,000 cash grant will support RCTC’s Physics and Engineering departments through the purchase of equipment to expand the laboratory facilities and student engineering projects.
The second $2,000 grant will be used to support RCTC’s chemistry research program. The Chemistry Department will purchase a comparison microscope to be used in a forensics chemistry course. Upgrades will also be made to the department’s infrared instrumentation.
The cash awards are part of IBM’s community grants program. An IBM retiree who has a designated number of volunteer hours with an organization can write and submit a grant request.
A group of retired engineers, the Kiwanis Day Makers “Mad Scientists,” comprised primarily of IBM retirees, initiated these two grants. The group includes Larry Segar, Larry Krob, Steve Keidl, Eric Skuldt, Dave Siljenberg, Bruce Keller, Karl Shidler and Peter Schuh.