A Pair of Grants Totaling $9.5K Ignite SUNY Canton’s New Forging Club
SUNY Canton has struck up a new club for students interested in adding metalsmithing to their skill sets.
A group of students and faculty members recently received a pair of grants to establish a Forging Club in the Canino School of Engineering Technology. A Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF) grant provided an initial $5,000 to launch the club, and the organization may also provide future funding. Following, the SUNY Canton College Foundation, Inc., provided an additional grant of $4,500 to help shape the endeavor.
“The Forging Club offers students a powerful outlet for expression while practically demonstrating the art and science of metalworking,” said Canino School of Engineering Technology Dean Michael Newtown. “Students will gain hands-on experience as they learn the material and metallurgical principles behind forging while gaining skills that translate directly to careers in engineering, manufacturing and design.”
The initial FIERF grant funded an induction forge and some accoutrements, according to Lecturer Paul Todd, who teaches in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program. The Canton College Foundation Grant will be used to further outfit the club with a forging press, a new anvil and other industry-standard tools.
“Several students approached me and expressed interest in starting a forging club,” Todd said. “Adding an induction forge also expands the range of manufacturing processes our students are exposed to before they graduate from college.”
Todd added that other faculty and staff are involved with the club, including Instructional Support Technician Neil Haney, who has experience with multiple metal-working techniques.
Mitch Timerman, a junior in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program from La Fargeville, is one of the founding members of the club and was instrumental in authoring one of the grant applications. Timerman said part of the requirements for the FIERF grant include competing in the 2026 FIERF competition.
“We’ve been challenged to design, forge and test an American felling axe,” Timerman said. “The competition requires both traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering techniques. With the addition of our new equipment, students will be able to experiment, learn and innovate safely and effectively.”
The newly founded club also serves as a bridge to the past. Students used to learn similar techniques using a coal forge when the college was known as the Agricultural and Technical Institute and was located at St. Lawrence University.
Timerman and Todd both indicated that they will seek further funding through grants and donations to acquire additional equipment and resources. For more information about contributing to the club or for any other donation, contact the Canton College Foundation at 315-386-7127 or email foundation@canton.edu. The next scheduled fundraiser will be on Giving Tuesday, observed on Dec. 2.
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