At Micron, we have seen the quality of young men graduating from Harmel Academy of the Trades firsthand — they’ve worked alongside us on our shop floor. Their skill, work ethic, and character are undeniable. That’s why we are proud to support their mission with a donation of industrial equipment to their training facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Harmel Academy is more than a trade school. It’s a formation program for young men, blending rigorous, hands-on technical training with a rich humanities curriculum and spiritual development. This unique approach resonates deeply with us. Micron President Mike Preston, who serves on Harmel’s board of directors, sees this employer-educator partnership as an extension of Micron’s core purpose: “Their mission, culture, and spirit align with our own. We believe in building up individuals to strengthen our families, our community, and the American Dream.”
A Craftsman’s Playground: Harmel’s Unique Approach
Housed in a newly renovated facility on the Aquinas College campus, Harmel feels less like a classroom and more like a living, breathing workshop. Upstairs, student-built framing and plumbing installations and newly hung sheetrock show hands-on learning alongside facility improvement. Downstairs, advanced milling equipment and robotics stand ready for semester projects. Even when students are out on work placements at local industries, the space hums with purpose.
Named after Léon Harmel, a 19th-century French industrialist who championed just wages and safe working conditions long before they were standard, the school’s ethos is intentional. Founded in 2020, the program has quickly grown to 32 students and will expand to a three-year curriculum next year. Students gain expertise across a wide spectrum — robotics, welding, machining, electrical, plumbing, woodworking, CAD, and hydraulics — creating versatile and knowledgeable tradesmen.
But their education extends far beyond technical proficiency. According to Andy Beach, Harmel’s Director of Manufacturing Services, this is by design.
“Our students engage in humanities studies and faith formation that connect their work to the philosophy and theology behind it,” Beach explains. “They’re assessed not just on their technical output, but on their ability to articulate these ideas. Our goal is to create young men who are not only skilled with their hands but are also thoughtful, effective communicators.”
And they know how to have fun, too. The school year famously culminates in the “24 Minutes of Harmel,” a high-energy, real-life Mario Kart event featuring a timed endurance go-kart race with paintball dogfights.
Tools to Build the Future
To help Harmel students hone their precision and skill, Micron recently supplied two key pieces of equipment:
- Gallmeyer & Livingstone Hydraulic Surface Grinder: This powerful machine uses a rotating abrasive wheel to remove microscopic amounts of material from flat surfaces, achieving incredibly smooth and accurate finishes down to 0.0001 of an inch. Now housed in Harmel’s CNC and metalworking department, it will elevate the precision of their most advanced projects.
- Hammond Duskolector: This industrial-grade dust collection system will be instrumental in maintaining a clean, safe environment in Harmel’s woodworking department.
A Team Effort: Thank You, Erickson’s
A heartfelt thank you is in order. You can’t just “hand over” a surface grinder. Moving heavy industrial machinery requires specialized skill and expertise. That’s where our partners at Erickson’s stepped up.
Not only did their crew expertly handle the complex logistics of the relocation, but they also generously donated their time and resources to move and install the equipment at Harmel. We’ve trusted Erickson’s with our own machinery for years and seeing them share our commitment to supporting the next generation of tradesmen was truly inspiring. Thank you.
Unified in Purpose
Grand Rapids has a proud manufacturing heritage, going back to the detail-oriented work ethic of the furniture industry. That same precision and dedication now power the advanced manufacturing techniques that drive our company and our community forward.
By investing in institutions like Harmel Academy, we are investing in that legacy. While we are always thrilled when a Harmel graduate brings his considerable skills to a career in CNC machining, our support goes far beyond self-interest. We are investing in a way of life, in the character of our community, and in the skilled, well-rounded young men who will build its future.
At Micron, we believe that a stronger community benefits everyone. We are proud to stand with Harmel Academy and look forward to seeing what their students create with these new tools.
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