America is facing a critical shortage of skilled watchmakers, and to continue building a workforce to meet this need, officials from Rolex Watch U.S.A, Inc. will sign a formal agreement with Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee this Friday, May 9, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. Plans for a $1 million grant to the university were announced earlier this year.
Now, to formalize the agreement, Rolex Watch U.S.A. Senior Vice President of Technical Operations, Charles Berthiaume, will join with university president, Dr. Bob Klabenes, in affirming a five-year commitment by Rolex Watch U.S.A. as the exclusive underwriter of the OSU Institute of Technology - Okmulgee Watchmaking program. Berthiaume noted that OSU-Institute of Technology - Okmulgee has been educating watchmakers since the college opened in 1946. "Rolex values the long standing educational commitment they have made to the watchmaking profession in the U.S., and we look forward to developing a program here which provides the specialized technical skills needed to support the growing luxury watch market worldwide."
Also signing the agreement will be American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute Executive Director, Jim Lubic. “It is a real pleasure for AWCI to work with a highly acclaimed watch company such as Rolex as well as a much respected watchmaking school such as OSU Institute of Technology. AWCI is pleased that our industry-recognized certification will be the standard for the final exam. We look forward to working with Rolex to develop a state-of-the-art program.”
The agenda for Friday’s signing is:
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10:30 a.m.—11:10 a.m.
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Formal Signing of Partnership Agreement with Rolex Watch U.S.A. in the State Room
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11:10 a.m.—11:40 a.m.
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Interviews/Lab Tours with the Media – State Room, Watchmaking Labs
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President Klabenes noted that students, faculty and staff felt privileged and honored by Rolex’s decision to partner. “This is a significant step. Rolex Watch U.S.A. is the luxury watch brand most widely recognized and held in the highest esteem throughout the world.”
Among others, guests at the signing event include: Burns Hargis, OSU System President and CEO; Dr. Kermit McMurry, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; and area legislators - Senator Roger Ballenger, Representative Dale Turner, and Representative Jerry Shoemake.