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Contact: Dr. Walter Kaminski (509-963-1756/fax: 509-963-1795/e-mail: kaminski@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Dr. Craig H. Johnson, Central Washington University industrial and engineering technology (IET) professor, has received a $10,000 award from the Foundry Educational Association (FEF), through its Ray Witt Gift Program.

Johnson, who came to Central in 1996 and now serves as the university’s mechanical engineering technology (MET) program coordinator, was one of only three professors nationwide to receive awards. “Dr. Johnson is a highly talented and energetic young professor with a strong desire to continue working in the metal castings field,” said Dr. Walt Kaminski, chair of the CWU industrial and engineering technology department. Kaminski nominated Johnson for the award.

“There are no strings attached,” Kaminski pointed out. “It is to be used to improve your foundry and to help fund research.”

The CWU foundry was designed into the Hogue Technology building when it was built in 1970. Last year, an induction furnace was donated and installed. The foundry supports the university’s mechanical engineering technology and industrial technology programs

Established in 1947, FEF is the metal castings industry's educational program at the college level. It includes community colleges, four-year technology schools, traditional universities and graduate schools, spanning a broad range of higher education programs from production supervision to specialized research. While research is not currently taking place at the CWU foundry, Johnson is in the process of developing funding for a collaborative research plan.

“There is a solid base of foundry industry in the Pacific Northwest, and this resource should be combined with the CWU foundry and its students in an on-going basis,” Kaminski said.