Broward College Marine Engineering Program Receives $50,000 Donation

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (October 18, 2013) – Pantropic Power and Caterpillar teamed up to provide $50,000 in support to Broward College. At a recent meeting of the Broward College District Board of Trustees, Ed DeTorres, vice president of Pantropic Power, presented a $25,000 check to support the marine program at Broward College. DeTorres was accompanied by Andres Cuadros, product support operations representative of Caterpillar, whose foundation matched Pantropic’s gift dollar-for-dollar, for a total of $50,000.

Last year, Pantropic Power, in conjunction with the Caterpillar Foundation, established the Pantropic Power/Caterpillar Dealer Excellence Fund with Broward College. The fund’s objectives are to strengthen the marine program’s curriculum and faculty development opportunities, and to increase the pool of qualified technicians. The donation will provide $15,000 for scholarships for students in the marine program. "Because of the generosity of Pantropic and the Caterpillar Dealer Excellence Fund, we are able to provide students with the training they need to succeed in the marine industry,” said Anthony T. Petriello, associate dean for marine & automotive technology. “This donation will help develop advanced curricula, and it will also allow us to provide scholarships to students, train our faculty and purchase sophisticated equipment.”

Broward College’s Marine Engineering Management Program offers a specialized, comprehensive and affordable 24-month associate of applied science degree. For more information, visit www.broward.edu/marine.