News from B&G

DanHolohan

Morton Grove, IL…June 14, 2004 — 1954 was a year of many life altering “firsts.” The first kidney transplant took place, segregation was declared unconstitutional, the first atomic submarine was launched, and Bell & Gossett® opened the doors to the Little Red Schoolhouse® training center in Morton Grove, Illinois.

Since that eventful day 50 years ago, the HVACR industry’s leading educational facility has trained more than 50,000 students in Morton Grove and over 125,000 worldwide through its “traveling classroom” program. Many of today’s leading consulting specifying engineers, mechanical contractors, system designers and facility engineers learned the tricks of their trade at the Bell & Gossett Schoolhouse.






Major Anniversary Celebrations Planned

To celebrate this momentous occasion, a variety of special events are planned for 2004. A special reception will be held in late August at the Schoolhouse to share with the industry the many innovations and trends in education that have originated from this renowned educational institution. The events will include recognition of past graduates from around the world.

“This is a very special occasion for all Fluid Handling employees and the entire HVACR industry,” said Roy Ahlgren, Director of Training and Education at ITT Industries' Fluid Handling Division. “We hope to re-connect with many of our past Little Red Schoolhouse graduates, including some from the very first Class of ’54.”

Although the methods of training have changed from a blackboard to computers and electronic projection, the educational principles and value to students have remained true. Today, seven 3-day courses ranging from Hydronics Basics to Design of Large Chilled Water Systems are offered. Classes include:
• Modern Hydronics Basic Seminar
• Modern Hydronics Advanced Seminar
• Design of Commercial HVAC Systems Seminar
• Service & Maintenance Seminar
• Steam Systems Design Seminar
• Operation & Maintenance of Steam Systems
• Large Chilled Water Systems Design Seminar

According to Ahlgren, many of the graduates continue to use the materials and manuals they received in class many years ago to train others in their organizations. “We estimate that our graduates have used our material to formally or informally train and educate over a million HVACR professionals.”

Ahlgren notes the success of the Little Red Schoolhouse’s programs is that no commercialism is practiced. “Students come to learn about proper installation, maintenance and design techniques - they don’t come to hear a sales pitch,” he emphasizes.

Several Industry Innovations Introduced at the Schoolhouse

In addition to teaching the industry about the latest trends and technologies, several industry innovations originated at the Schoolhouse. Gil Carlson, an instructor at the Schoolhouse and a well-known industry pioneer, invented several hydronic products and system design concepts that are widely used today. Among Carlson’s and other Bell & Gossett innovations are the SystemSyzer® calculator, development of the primary-secondary pumping concept, identification of the point of no pressure change in a closed loop system ("pumping away"), and many other industry firsts.

To stay at the leading edge of innovations in technology and education, the Little Red Schoolhouse is constantly updating and modernizing its offerings. Two new courses have been added to the curriculum in 2004 – Modern Hydronics Basic Seminar and Modern Hydronics Advanced Seminar. All Little Red Schoolhouse classes are filled months in advance and all students must be “sponsored” by an ITT Fluid Handling Representative.

For more information on the Little Red Schoolhouse, call Bell & Gossett at (847) 966-3700, or visit www.bellgossett.com.


Bell & Gossett
Bell & Gossett, a unit of ITT Industries, is a leading manufacturer of centrifugal pumps, circulators, hydronic specialties, heat exchangers, and packaged systems for variable and constant speed pumping, heat transfer and pressure boosting. For more information contact Bell & Gossett: 8200 N. Austin Avenue, Morton Grove, IL 60053; phone 847/966-3700; fax 847/966-9052; or visit www.bellgossett.com.

DanHolohan

Sidebar to release:

Search is on for Schoolhouse Graduates

ITT Industries – Fluid Handling is searching for past graduates of the Little Red Schoolhouse to catch up on their lives and to learn how the Schoolhouse has impacted their careers.

Are you a graduate of the Little Red Schoolhouse, or do you know someone who attended the Schoolhouse in the past? We are looking for feedback and “success stories” from past graduates. To learn more about the 50th Anniversary Celebration, visit the Fluid Handling University website at www.bellgossett.com.

Boiler Guy

EH DAN

I have been to their seminars at least 5 or 6 times. Every one gave me more confidence to get out there and tame another monster. Then I met YOU! Now with your help I have even taken on dragon slaying! I'd jump at the chance to participate in the August reunion.

DanHolohan

Been there a few times myself.

Great stuff, and it's been going on for 50 years. Thanks, B&G!