Habingreither honored with top industry award

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
May 27, 2008

Robert Habingreither, associate dean of the College of Science at Texas State University-San Marcos, has been honored with the American Foundry Society Texas Chapter Memorial Award.

The award--the highest given by the AFS Texas Chapter--was presented for outstanding service to the metal casting industry and a commitment to education over the past 18 years.

“I’ve been working with these people for quite some time. They’ve provided a lot of funding to this university through the years, supporting students through scholarships,” Habingreither said. “They’ve started an endowed professorship here in cast metals engineering, which will be completed in a couple of years.  They’re very good people and are committed to supporting the metal casting industry in Texas.”

Texas State has a strong presence with the metal casting industry, both locally and nationally, Habingreither said. He recognized the opportunities for involvement with the industry early on worked to cultivate the relationship between Texas State and the industry. Because of Texas State’s involvement with the Texas American Foundry Society, the national AFS and the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) the institution has benefited with over $1.3 million in scholarships, discretionary funds, equipment and supply donations.

Among the direct benefits to students are regular trips Habingreither organizes to Chicago, Ill., to meet with national corporations that have a strong interest in metal casting. Students regularly meet with representatives from Caterpillar, Ford, Honda, General Motors and John Deere, with job offers often being made.

“I like what I do to benefit our students, and this helps (the metal casting industry) get good employees,” Habingreither said. “It’s been a really nice symbiotic relationship.”