The following is a roundup of recent education news for students and professionals in the paint and coatings industry.
BASF Wyandotte Registration Deadline for TECH Academy Closes April 10
High school juniors and seniors in southeast Michigan who are interested in skill trade careers may apply for the week-long BASF TECH Academy sponsored by BASF Corporation by the April 10 deadline.
This summer program will run June 19–23 at the Wayne County Community College District’s Downriver Campus located at 21000 Northline Road, Taylor, MI, 48180.
During TECH Academy, students will combine morning classroom activities with afternoon visits to company workplaces to learn about technical careers and the education necessary for those jobs including manufacturing, robotics, auto, lab operations, and first responders.
The program, funded by BASF, is free for students and is part of BASF’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education and workforce development efforts. Space is limited, and applications will be accepted through April 10 online. Email Marika Diamond for questions about the program.
Dunn-Edwards Annual Student Design Competition Opens
Dunn-Edwards has opened submissions for its third annual Emerging Professionals Design Competition for students of architecture and design. Students in these fields who are enrolled in school in the United States can submit their entry online through August 15.
Participants can choose between submitting a commercial or residential design. All students, regardless of experience and skill levels, are encouraged to apply. There is no fee to enter. The three winners of the grand prize, second place, and third place will be announced by August 31.
The grand prize winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize, as well as a feature on the Dunn-Edwards specs + spaces blog. The second-place winner will receive a cash prize of $800, and the third-place winner will receive a cash prize of $250. All winners will be highlighted on Dunn-Edwards’ social media channels.
The theme of this year’s competition is influenced by Dunn-Edwards 2023 Color of the Year, Terra Rosa (DE5096). Each entrant will be required to include this color, pulled from Dunn-Edwards 2023 Color + Design Trends, in their design. They also will be required to submit a mood board and renderings.
For more details about Dunn-Edwards 2023 Emerging Professionals Deign Competition, visit their website. Also, the @dunnedwards social media channels will provide competition updates and announcements.
CSU, RPM International, Inc. Form Academic-Vocational Partnership
Cleveland State University (CSU) and RPM International Inc. have entered an academic and vocational partnership to provide graduate-level education for three current environmental graduate programs during CSU’s fall 2023 academic semester.
RPM International Inc. is headquartered in Medina, OH, and owns subsidiaries in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials, and related services, including Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane, DayGlo, Legend Brands, Stonhard, Carboline, Tremco, and Dryvit.
Those graduate programs are for a Master of Arts in environmental studies, Master of Science in environmental engineering, and Master of Science in environmental science. The courses will be offered at a discounted rate.
“We’re excited to move forward with this partnership with RPM and make the first step in online education for the Washkewicz College of Engineering. We enjoy many partnerships with industry, but this partnership with RPM will provide unique work-based learning experiences for our undergraduates,” said Richard T. Schoephoerster, Ph.D., professor and dean of CSU Washkewicz.
The purpose of the partnership is to provide a sponsored path of professional development for existing RPM Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) professionals, as well as other operational and technical professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and professional education in the same fields. RPM employees will also be able to take this coursework for continuing education as part of their professional development plan.
In return, RPM and its operating companies will recruit internship candidates and full-time EH&S professionals from CSU’s environmental undergraduate and graduate programs.
“RPM will gain access to customized training and educational offerings for its employees. CSU will provide innovative instructional value to a major employer and presence in our region and, in the process, create the foundation for many more industry partnerships,” said Roland Anglin, Ph.D., dean of CSU’s Levin College of Public Affairs and Education.