Donation to ECU is groundbreaker

The East Carolina University School of Industry and Technology has a new piece of machinery that students and faculty really “dig.”

It’s a Mini Hydraulic Excavator from Caterpillar Inc. and it’s not just for digging. The 1.5-ton model lifts and scrapes and rolls about on bulldozer type treads, has an enclosed cab that rotates 360 degrees and feature a hydraulic shovel and blade. It was donated to the school by the company’s Building Construction and Products Division in Sanford, N.C.

“This unit has been all over the world and is pictured in our catalog,” said R. Scott Cooper, the Customer Service Manager with Caterpillar’s marketing division, who handed over the keys to the machine to ECU officials on Thursday (June 15).

He said his company has used the excavator in its marketing program by demonstrating it at trade shows and conventions. When it became time to cycle in another piece of equipment, the company decided to donate the unit to the school. The value of the excavator is about $38,000.

Dr. Darryl Davis, dean of the School of Industry and Technology, said his school will use it as a tool for classes in the construction management program. “It’s a nice gift and we are delighted that the company thought of us for the donation,” he said.

The Mini Hydraulic Excavator is the smallest of three models made by Caterpillar. The company also produces 2.5-ton and a 3.5-ton models. The smaller machine is ideal for digging foundations to buildings, lanscaping and laying pipe. This unit was constructed in England. Dr. Richard Ringeisen, vice chancellor of academic affairs, said the gift demonstrates the importance of partnerships between schools and industries.

“A donation like this is a great help for us. It provides our faculty with a teaching tool that will broaden the experiences and skills of our students,” he said.