The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) School of Engineering in Troy, New York, recently celebrated the official opening of the Gene Haas Manufacturing Teaching & Learning Foundry with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The event brought together representatives from the Gene Haas Foundation, the RPI community, industry partners, local educators, and community members to mark this significant investment in the future of manufacturing education and workforce development.
Located in the Johnson Engineering Center, the newly renovated space will be open to engineering students in all years of study. Students will have access to new advanced manufacturing tools spanning robotics, artificial intelligence, and more.
The foundry was made possible through a $500,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation, the project’s primary supporter. Additional support was provided by Snap-on, the Maritime Industrial Base, BlueForge Alliance, RPI alumni, and Mastercam, reflecting a broad coalition committed to advancing manufacturing education and workforce development.
“The Gene Haas Foundation believes the best way to strengthen manufacturing is to invest in the people who will shape it,” said Kathy Looman, Executive Director, Gene Haas Foundation. “RPI’s commitment to hands-on learning is what industry needs, and we’re proud to help make this facility a reality.”
As part of the celebration, the Gene Haas Foundation funded eight Manufacturing Excellence Awards of $3,000 each, presented to outstanding RPI students on the day of the event.
Laila Nassif ’26 and Marcus Brown ’26, two recipients of the award, reflected on the experience:
"Receiving this award reminds me why I chose to become a Biomedical Engineer,” said Nassif. “Smart manufacturing can make life better for patients, through pharmaceuticals, orthopedics, or surgical robotics. Being able to contribute to that kind of work makes this recognition especially meaningful to me."
Brown added, "Receiving this award is a tremendous honor that reinforces my commitment to a career in manufacturing innovation. This Foundry will act as an incubator, where students can hone our collaborative problem-solving skills and master advanced technical processes. With this investment in manufacturing education, I’m excited to bridge the gap between my academics and the complex, hands-on challenges that define our industry."
Advanced manufacturing has been central to RPI's identity since its founding in 1824. Unlike traditional engineering programs, RPI students engage with industry-grade tools and real manufacturing challenges throughout their time at RPI — graduating with the hands-on confidence that employers in aerospace, defense, medtech, and precision industries are actively seeking.
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