Supporting the Next Generation: Education for American Industry
At Kyanite Mining Corporation, supporting the next generation includes investing in education—introducing students to careers in engineering and materials science and collaborating with those already pursuing them.
That investment shows up in classrooms, labs, and conversations about how materials make modern manufacturing possible.
Inspiring Future Engineers and Scientists
Our team visits universities, high schools, and career fairs to talk about ceramics, refractories, and the role materials like kyanite and mullite play in manufacturing.
By showing how these materials contribute to everything from metals and plastics to cars, airplanes, and even everyday items like dishware and utensils, we aim to spark interest in the technical fields that sustain American industry.
Industry Education
Each spring, our Vice President and Director of Marketing & Sales—and ceramic engineer—Steven Ashlock serves as a guest lecturer in the Investment Casting Specialist–Industry Certification Course hosted by the Investment Casting Institute (ICI) at Pittsburg State University.
During the program, he leads hands-on labs focused on shell building and slurry makeup control, sharing practical experience with professionals pursuing certification in investment casting.
Scholarships and Support
KMC contributes to materials and engineering programs through financial support, including at least one significant annual donation to a college or university program.
We also fund the Terrell H. Dunnavant Scholarship, awarded each year to a student from Buckingham County or the surrounding area pursuing a four-year degree.
Internships and Site Visits
KMC has hosted local high school students during the academic year and summer, offering internships in areas including our R&D and Quality Assurance labs.
We’ve also welcomed educational groups—from high school geology classes to PhD candidates—to visit our operations and see mining and materials processing up close. Seeing the scale of the mine, the lab work, and the plant in action helps make materials science tangible.
Supporting Academic Research
In addition to internships and site visits, KMC has worked with universities and industry researchers on technical studies focused on material performance.
We’ve also hosted a wide range of educational groups—from high school geology classes to PhD researchers—who come to our sites to experience mining and materials processing firsthand. Seeing the scale of the operation, the laboratory work, and the plant running in real time helps bring materials science to life.
These collaborations have contributed to published papers examining material performance, geological information about Willis Mountain, refractory behavior, slurry development, and the properties of sillimanite group minerals in real-world manufacturing applications. Explore a few of these white papers.
Education as the Foundation
By supporting engineering, science, and materials education, KMC is helping prepare the next generation of professionals who will carry American industry forward.
Next month, we’ll share how we continue that work through our engagement in industry organizations and programs that encourage emerging professionals across the field.
