(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Pikes Peak State College’s (PPSC) Engineering Department received a donation of cutting-edge equipment from an anonymous community member and technology advocate on Tuesday, Oct. 14.
The donation was facilitated through the PPSC Foundation and strengthens the Engineering Graphics and Geometric Design (EGG) lab, as well as expands access to the industry’s state-of-the-art tools that students will encounter in the workforce.
The donor issued a statement, saying, “I am a first-gen college grad and product of community colleges, and have been fortunate to have a successful engineering career. I am happy to give back and help other engineering students at PPSC along their journey.”
The equipment includes:
Formlabs Form 2 S Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer package — high-resolution resin printing for detailed prototypes
Two Intel NUC mini-PCs — compact, high-performance workstations for computer-aided design (CAD), simulation, automation, and data analysis
Ultrasonic parts cleaner — large-capacity cleaning for tools and printed components to ensure precision and reliability
Single-board computer kits — Raspberry Pi boards, Intel Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, and IoT sensors for embedded systems, smart devices, and machine learning (ML) prototypes
“Together, these tools give our students access to the kind of real-world technology they’ll use in industry,” said Dave Wilson, Director of Engineering. “This donation isn’t just about hardware. It’s about creating a hands-on environment where students can explore, innovate, and build meaningful skills that translate directly to their careers.”
PPSC students will have opportunities to experiment, troubleshoot, and create in a collaborative setting that mirrors modern engineering workplaces, advancing the college’s mission of access, affordability, and workforce readiness.
“This donation does more than enhance our students’ learning environment,” said Joyce Kaplan, Executive Dean of Science, Engineering, and Math at PPSC. “It directly benefits local employers who will hire graduates already trained on industry-standard tools. When our students gain hands-on experience with this equipment, they enter the workforce ready to contribute from day one.”
