The Doe Run Company (Doe Run) recently donated $10,000 to Mineral Area College (MAC) in Park Hills, Mo., to support the preparation and continued education of Missouri’s future workforce. The funding will support MAC’s Enhancement Grant, which allows the college to offer courses in essential job areas, including business, health and law enforcement. It will also benefit MAC’s Annual Fund, which expands students’ access to a fulfilling college experience.“When Doe Run surveyed local residents in 2012, we learned that access to stable, good-paying jobs was the biggest concern for our Missouri neighbors,” said Jerry Pyatt, president and CEO of Doe Run. “Higher education programs, like those offered at MAC, enable both young students and working adults to enhance their skills, secure good jobs and contribute to our region’s economic vitality. We hope our support helps prepare Missouri students for a bright and productive future.”

MAC’s Enhancement Grant, a matching program that increases the purchasing power of local donations with a $3-to-$1 match, funds important classroom upgrades and expanded curriculum for business, health and law enforcement programs to help address critical workforce needs as identified by the state. The college’s Annual Fund supports its mission to provide quality, affordable and accessible education. The Annual Fund supports student scholarships and the “Learn & Earn” work-study program to offer students a way to complement classroom learning with real-world work experience. It also contributes to critical student services, including student organizations and career planning, which enable students to build leadership skills and prepare for their future careers. “Doe Run has been a strong supporter of MAC’s efforts in educating our local workforce,” said Dr. Kurtz, president at MAC. “MAC gives students in our area real opportunities to pursue their passions, advance their careers and develop as responsible citizens, and we appreciate Doe Run’s dedication to helping students achieve these goals.”

As part of its commitment to make a positive impact in the communities where it lives and works, Doe Run places a large emphasis on education opportunities for college students and post-graduate professionals. Doe Run grants numerous college scholarships annually to local students pursuing degrees that support the mining industry, such as engineering, chemistry, geology or geoscience. Each summer, Doe Run selects current college students and recent graduates to serve as interns, providing them with hands-on experience in their degree areas. Doe Run also hires approximately 40 local students as summer workers each year, helping them build job skills through administrative and labor tasks.