The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology at Fresno State unveiled a major upgrade to its mechanized agriculture laboratory.
Improvement were made possible by a $250,000 gift by Dr. James Moller and his wife, Carol Moller.
According to a Fresno State news release, the donation was made in memory of Moller’s father, Leonard Moller, who owned and operated the Acme Machine Shop in Fresno until 1973.
James Moller, a University of Minnesota professor emeritus of pediatrics and medicine, grew up in Fresno near the original Fresno State campus.
On a visit in September 2016, he saw the laboratory’s traditional but outdated welding and mechanical equipment during a tour led by mechanized agriculture faculty member Ken Heupel.
The gift has already provided for a revamped welding area this fall with new multi-processing booths, racks, gas line manifolds, work tables, a computer numerical control plasma cutting table and a freshly-painted interior.
Future planned improvements will include new tungsten inert gas welders, a hydraulic shear, hydraulic brake, drill press, iron worker, band saw and chop saw equipment, engine stands and metal material storage units.
