Support from the Sturm Family Foundation, ANB Bank and Kiewit Companies Foundation Made the Expansion Possible
Colorado Mesa University Tech (CMU Tech) is doubling its capacity to train the next generation of welders with the expansion of the Sturm Family Manufacturing Center. On August 26, the school celebrated this milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly expanded facility. The completed expansion more than doubles the size of CMU Tech’s welding facility, positioning the program to meet the rising demand from students and the industry.
CMU Tech’s welding program has experienced rapid growth in popularity, quickly reaching its enrollment limits in recent years due to continued interest from students. With more space, the program is now positioned to train twice as many students for welding careers, which are in high demand across the region.
The Sturm Family Foundation and ANB Bank have been longtime supporters of CMU and CMU Tech. Their generosity has advanced facilities and programs while opening doors for students across western Colorado.
“One of the things I’ve always appreciated about CMU Tech is that they’ve looked at what the community needs and what opportunities there are, then they give the community great opportunities right here,” said Susan Sturm. “I hope this gives students an idea of what they can do if they keep dreaming big. They can always try to improve their skills and take that leap into something new and different.”
For Sturm, the project also continues the legacy of her late husband, Donald, who believed in the value of education and the trades.
“One of the reasons I care about the trades is that it's really important for the construction industry, where Don spent so much of his career,” said Sturm. “Education and learning in the trades is what gets so many kids started in their lives. My husband, Don, benefited from access to education. If that wasn't available, his life would have been radically different.”
Industry support has been equally critical to this expansion. Kiewit Companies Foundation joined the effort to ensure training keeps up with real-world demands. The company’s investment reflects both the area’s practical workforce needs and a genuine belief in CMU Tech’s ability to produce top-tier graduates who are ready to work in the welding industry upon completion of the program.
“We wanted to have an avenue to bring more folks in, get them through the door, and then from there provide them the opportunities for a career,” said Executive Vice President of Kiewit Engineering Doug Glaser. “The trades are a tremendous part of the success of our industry, and this is a way to provide opportunity, training and development.”
After the ribbon-cutting, donors and industry leaders toured the expanded space and viewed the welding and mechatronics mobile learning labs. For Glaser, the visit confirmed that CMU Tech is building something extraordinary.
“After touring the facility today, I think it's a world-class facility,” Glaser said. “The demand for the trades today is as high as it’s been in my 34 years in the industry. Looking at the space that's been added, it wouldn't surprise me if, in a year or two, they come back to expand onto it. I'm truly impressed with everything they have here.”
Thanks to the generosity of the Sturm Family Foundation, ANB Bank and Kiewit Companies Foundation, CMU Tech is expanding its impact by advancing the trades and expanding opportunities for growth in the region.