Award-winning American inventor Dr. Edward G. Acheson will be remembered by generations of college students attending classes in the building bearing his name. The Applied Technology Center on the downtown Port Huron campus of St. Clair County Community College (SC4) was renamed the Dr. Edward G. Acheson Applied Technology Center at a dedication ceremony on May 1, 2001. Dr. Edward G. Acheson is the grandfather of James Acheson of Port Huron, a long-time friend of the College. A Trustee on the St. Clair County Community College Foundation Board for 10 years, James Acheson generously contributed $1 million toward construction of the Citizens First Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TECSM).
“Jim Acheson’s community support is legendary, and his generosity has made SC4 a better college,” said Dr. Christa Adams, College President. “We are pleased and proud that Mr. Acheson is a Foundation Trustee and our friend.” Dr. Edward G. Acheson, who pursued new knowledge and ideas with great passion and determination, is a fitting role model for college students to admire. The scientist and industrialist held 70 patents and was a member of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His invention of Carborundum, a superior abrasive used for metal finishing, was selected by the United States Patent Office in 1926 as one of 17 inventions most responsible for the American industrial age, by providing industry with the ability to manufacture interchangeable metal parts.

In the early 1880s, Dr. Acheson was a protégé of Thomas Edison, and contributed toward production of the first truly durable incandescent light bulb. Dr. Acheson built his plant in Port Huron at the suggestion of Mr. Edison. Acheson Industries, Inc. now has 14 worldwide facilities. Its products based on graphite, silver and other solids are essential to such applications as color television tube manufacturing, precision forging of exotic metals and numerous applications in the high-tech electronics industry of the twenty-first century.

The generosity of James Acheson will help continue his family’s interest in advancing applied technology. The $1 million Acheson gift will help fund the college’s $6.5 million Citizens First Michigan Technical Education CenterSM that will open on the 25-acre riverfront campus this fall. The M-TECSM will put local business and industry in touch with state-of-the-art training resources. The modern facility is designed to develop highly skilled work forces to meet the demands of the 21st century. Grants and gifts totaling $4.5 million dollars have been pledged. The College is seeking support toward the last $2 million needed to complete the project.

“Partnering with the College is a valuable way to enhance educational opportunities for the entire community,” James Acheson remarked.

“As his grandfather set an outstanding example as an inventor, so James Acheson sets an outstanding example for community giving,” said Gary Dettling, SC4 Dean of College Advancement. “The College is grateful to have the Acheson vote of confidence as it carries out its work to educate our citizens,” Dean Dettling added.

St. Clair County Community College currently serves approximately 10,000 students in the Blue Water area with a wide range of credit and non-credit classes. The College offers 51 Associate degree and Certificate programs and 55 seamless transfer program options. A variety of Bachelor and Master degree programs are available locally through the SC4 University Center. The College provides career development, personal and professional development, business and industrial training and community enrichment for citizens of all ages. New resources include online and fast track courses. The full-service, main campus is located in downtown Port Huron, with Thumb Area Centers located in Algonac, Bad Axe, Imlay City, Peck and Yale. St. Clair County Community College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. More information about the College can be found at www.stclair.cc.mi.us.