For Release: Immediate – December 21, 2018
Contact: Steve Ference, Director of University Communications | (518) 956-7319 | sference@sunypoly.edu

Lab Supports Hands-on High-Tech Student Learning at the Institution’s New Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing Located at its Utica campus

UTICA, NY – In recognition of decades of significant support for SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), the institution held a ribbon cutting Thursday, December 20, 2018, for the new “Hage Family Robotics Lab.” The laboratory, located at SUNY Poly’s new Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing (CGAM), is home to research, development, and educational opportunities based on robotics and automation capabilities that are available to faculty, students, and the community, and it will now serve to honor the meaningful impact of the Hage family’s donations, time, and service over nearly a quarter century.

“On behalf of the SUNY Poly Foundation, I am grateful for the generous contributions of the Hage family, who have been steadfast supporters of the hands-on educational opportunities that SUNY Poly students have always received,” said SUNY Poly Foundation Executive Director Andrea LaGatta. “We are thrilled to be able to name this state-of-the-art robotics lab after a family whose impact is helping support SUNY Poly students as they gain highly relevant skills that will help them succeed while strengthening our local, regional, and New York State workforce.”

“Hage & Hage is a longtime leader in technology innovation, and this recognition is a continuation of that tradition,” said J.K. Hage III. “SUNY Poly represents the future of technology in Central New York, and we, as rural New Yorkers, are committed to full participation in the 21st century economy.”

The Hage Family Robotics Lab is located in Donovan Hall at the institution’s Utica campus and is home to a number of robotics technologies that enable unique experiential learning opportunities and collaboration. For example, Baxter, a smart, collaborative robot is housed in the lab, aiming to redefine the use of industrial automation in manufacturing environments. Baxter is also currently being used in the research of Dr. Yu Zhou, SUNY Poly Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering.

“It is hard to summarize the impact that the Hage family has had on the SUNY Poly Foundation because their influence extends across so many areas, including providing financial support for student scholarships, bringing forth innovative ideas for promoting the college and the foundation in the community, and supporting opportunities for students through mentoring programs,” said Anita Brown, SUNY Poly Foundation Chairperson.

The Hage Family Robotics Lab is accessible to any SUNY Poly student who is inspired to pursue a robotics project of his or her own upon completion of a baseline safety test. In addition, the lab supports the institution’s Fabrication Club, as well as FIRST Robotics Team #5030, The Second Mouse, an award-winning FIRST robotics team that has earned a berth to the FIRST robotics world championship in three out of the last five years. The team is comprised of area high school students mentored by SUNY Poly Engineering and Computer Science mentors. For more information on The Second Mouse, please visit: www.team5030.com; and for more information about CGAM, please visit www.sunypoly.edu/academics/cgam.

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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)

SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience and nanoeconomics programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica/Rome campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.