Published: Saturday, March 25, 2006
Businessman honored for helping school
SNOHOMISH - It started with the simple idea of giving kids a head start on higher-level certifications and degrees in machining.
But it ended up a unique national model for the kinds of partnerships businesses can create with schools and colleges.
Doug Roulstone was honored at a recent conference for starting the Machining Pathways Partnership at Snohomish High School. Roulstone, co-owner of Damar Machine Co. in Monroe, was given a Washington Tech Prep Excellence award for 2006.
"He's definitely created a great opportunity for a lot of the students here," said Bryan Mossburg, computer-aided design and machining technology instructor at Snohomish High.
With the help of Mossburg, program director Bruce Richards of Snohomish and several businesses, Roulstone turned an outdated and overlooked shop at the high school into a cutting-edge training center for future journeymen, engineers and designers.
"It makes sense for businesses to get involved in a project like this because we have a vested interest in developing people who are trained in machining and computer-aided design," Roulstone said.
The machining lab at the school is now outfitted with more than $200,000 worth of high-end design software, mills, lathes and other equipment.
"Snohomish High School is one of only two high schools in the country where students can use CATIA, the design software for the Boeing 787," said Sheila Dunn, east Snohomish County director for Everett Community Colleg,e who nominated Roulstone for the award.
Students in the machining program can earn up to 35 college credits through EvCC. The Snohomish County Workforce Development Council last year also raised money to award 12 graduates with $3,000 scholarships to pursue further training.
"There are innovative ways to improving education for our young people," Roulstone said. "We just need people to be bound together to do it."
With a second high school under construction in Snohomish, Roulstone said he and others are now working with school Superintendent Bill Mester to design a similar lab there from the ground up.
"I know of no one in industry who has given more of himself to create opportunities for youth in our region," Dunn said.
Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@heraldnet.com.
But it ended up a unique national model for the kinds of partnerships businesses can create with schools and colleges.
Doug Roulstone was honored at a recent conference for starting the Machining Pathways Partnership at Snohomish High School. Roulstone, co-owner of Damar Machine Co. in Monroe, was given a Washington Tech Prep Excellence award for 2006.
"He's definitely created a great opportunity for a lot of the students here," said Bryan Mossburg, computer-aided design and machining technology instructor at Snohomish High.
With the help of Mossburg, program director Bruce Richards of Snohomish and several businesses, Roulstone turned an outdated and overlooked shop at the high school into a cutting-edge training center for future journeymen, engineers and designers.
"It makes sense for businesses to get involved in a project like this because we have a vested interest in developing people who are trained in machining and computer-aided design," Roulstone said.
The machining lab at the school is now outfitted with more than $200,000 worth of high-end design software, mills, lathes and other equipment.
"Snohomish High School is one of only two high schools in the country where students can use CATIA, the design software for the Boeing 787," said Sheila Dunn, east Snohomish County director for Everett Community Colleg,e who nominated Roulstone for the award.
Students in the machining program can earn up to 35 college credits through EvCC. The Snohomish County Workforce Development Council last year also raised money to award 12 graduates with $3,000 scholarships to pursue further training.
"There are innovative ways to improving education for our young people," Roulstone said. "We just need people to be bound together to do it."
With a second high school under construction in Snohomish, Roulstone said he and others are now working with school Superintendent Bill Mester to design a similar lab there from the ground up.
"I know of no one in industry who has given more of himself to create opportunities for youth in our region," Dunn said.
Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@heraldnet.com.
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