PSU Grads Give Back In A Big Way

Pitt State grads that made it big in the automotive industry are giving back in a big way. Three of the first students to attend the Kansas Tech Center in the early 2000’s returned to campus Wednesday with a $300,000 donation of heavy equipment for the Department of Automotive Technology.

As graduates, Dallas Grothusen (‘00), Kelly Burgess (‘01), and Ted Polzer (‘02), went on to become leaders with CNH Industrial.

When the program began 20 years ago, there were engines that students could disassemble and run, but there wasn’t a single machine.

PSU President Steve Scott called the donation as an investment.

“They benefited from the investment other people have made, and now full circle they’re coming back to help that next generation. It’s not just a donation, it’s an investment in our students, in Pittsburg State University, and in CNH.”

Wednesday’s gift included a Case 521 F Wheel Loader valued at $100,000, a Case CX17C mini excavator worth $26,000, a New Holland C232 rubber track loader valued at $40,000, a New Holland M428 Telehandler worth $40,000, a Case IH 75C utility tractor worth $30,000, a New Holland LV80 loader scraper valued at $18,500, a New Holland TC33 compact utility tractor worth $14,000, and a Case 586E forklift valued at $13,500.