Alliance Compressors continued their support of Northwestern State University with a donation of $5,000 to the NSU Foundation that will be divided between programming at L.P. Vaughn Elementary School in Natchitoches, a scholarship at Northwestern State University for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology and support for Project Lead the Way, an elementary through high school curriculum that introduces students to concepts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The donation was made through the Emerson Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Alliance’s parent company, Emerson, who is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.

“I can’t think of a better allocation of funds in which students will benefit from the beginning of their academic journey at the elementary level, through middle and high school and as college students,” said Drake Owens, director of the NSU Foundation. “Alliance has been an important industry partner to NSU by coordinating internships, mentoring students, funding scholarships, hiring graduates and providing input on industry needs.”

The PLTW portion of the donation will be disbursed through the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce Education Fund. In the past, the funds have been used to implement PLTW curriculum into area schools. NSU is the Louisiana affiliate university for PLTW. The L.P. Vaughn funds will be used to support the school’s music program.

Alliance Compressors is a manufacturer of air conditioning compressors for the HVAC industry. The company is a joint venture between Emerson, Lennox International and Trane, a subsidiary of Ingersol Rand. Alliance Compressors operates a 400,000 square foot production facility in Natchitoches that has been in operation since 1998.

“I feel honored to be able to direct these funds to such worthy causes through my alma mater. I also feel fortunate to have been involved with NSU and the chamber at the front end of Project Lead the Way and to see how it has thrived and grown. What great and positive things are going on at NSU,” said Ken Gardner, plant manager. “We are blessed to be able to provide these funds through the Emerson trust to the NSU Foundation.”