April 30: ESAB Awards $5,000 Welding Education Grant to Krum ISD

The first “ESAB Future Fabricators Charlie Monschke Welding Education Grant” in the amount of $5,000 was awarded to Krum Independent School District of Krum, TX, about an hour northwest of Dallas.

ESAB also surprised the school with a donation of three Rebel EMP 215ic multiprocess, multivoltage welding machines, welding leathers and a Swarm A20 automatic welding helmet, which have a combined retail value exceeding $7,500. 

The award and gifts were presented April 30 during a tour of ESAB’s Denton, TX facility for eight students from Krum’s Agricultural Mechanics program, their instructor, the Krum ISD principal and superintendent. The students, who participate in a welding-intensive program, visited ESAB’s Demonstration Showroom where they made welds using ESAB’s collaborative robot (cobot) and the award-winning Renegade VOLT battery-powered welder.

Charles Monschke was a manager of advanced mechanical engineering at ESAB until he passed away in April 2023. He graduated from Krum High School in 1965 and remained connected to the school through his children and nephew. In 1966, Monschke started at the Victor Equipment Company, which had just opened its Denton operation. ESAB acquired the Victor brand in 2014. Today the 436,000-sq.-ft. facility employs 400 people and serves as one of ESAB’s flagship North American locations.

“The annual Charlie Monschke Education Grant will continue Charlie’s legacy by promoting welding and cutting careers, and there is no better place to begin than at the school that gave Charlie his start,” said Eleanor Lukens, ESAB President of the Americas. "In the future, the $5,000 grant will go toward other area schools. Welding careers are in high demand, and especially in Texas. The investments made in schools and students through the ESAB Future Fabricators Program helps create a workforce that is better prepared to pursue careers in the skilled trades and fabrication-related engineering programs.”

“The $5,000 grant will be used to upgrade Krum ISD’s Agriculture Mechanic’s welding program where about 150 students take courses,” said Sydney Wallace, School Communications Officer and former Ag Mechanics instructor. “This money is greatly appreciated. Our equipment is old and worn down. We will be able to purchase new welders, guns, consumables and get our program up to date.”

The city of Krum recently approved a large bond to renovate Krum’s CTE Center, among other school renovations in the district. These changes are currently in the design phase. The ESAB grant will help purchase new equipment for the new center. Currently the Ag Mechanics program offers four welding related classes and has eight welding booths for students to practice their skills.

For more information, contact:

ESAB

esab.com

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