The McCrone Group announces College of Microscopy Expansion Plan Completed
THE MCCRONE GROUP ANNOUNCES COLLEGE OF MICROSCOPY EXPANSION PLAN COMPLETED
Students Can Now Access a State-of-the-Art Facility and Unprecedented Range of Advanced Microscopy Instrumentation
WESTMONT, IL (January 16, 2007) – The McCrone Group, Inc., internationally recognized as a world leader in microanalysis and the nation’s Premier Microscopy Resource, announces today the opening of its unparalleled new state-of-the-art learning center in Westmont, Illinois. The Learning Center is home to the College of Microscopy, hosting the largest array of advanced modern microscopy courses and instrumentation within any single educational facility in the United States.
The unique College of Microscopy specializes in training material scientists, crime lab personnel, First Responders, researchers, and technicians how to locate and identify unknown or suspect materials using light microscopy, electron microscopy, and FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.
The new College of Microscopy facility includes six state-of-the-art completely outfitted classrooms, a library, student services, and a dramatic 140-seat auditorium. The McCrone Group more than doubled its existing 25,800 square-foot headquarters to 66,700 square-foot with the addition of the new home for its College of Microscopy, as well as its instrument sales group, analytical laboratory, and business offices. Construction of the new facility began in June 2005.
The College of Microscopy now provides the most comprehensive learning and advanced microscopy resources available anywhere in the world. This includes more than 40 accredited courses in the many analytical methods and techniques used on a day-to-day basis in materials characterization and analysis. Also available to students, are state-of-the-art resources including the online McCrone Atlas of Microscopic Particles (www.mccroneatlas.com) and their complimentary peer-reviewed journal, ModernMicroscopy.com.
The McCrone Group estimates that the College of Microscopy will train more than 1,000 students per year. Long-range plans for the College of Microscopy include offering formalized distance learning and advanced degree programs. The staff of the McCrone Group has been teaching scientists and researchers for more than 45 years.
“All of the McCrone scientists and employees are extremely proud of this incredible new facility for the College of Microscopy and our instrument sales group,” said Donald A. Brooks, President & CEO, The McCrone Group, Inc.
“There is absolutely no question that the demand for sophisticated techniques and specialists in all areas of forensics science and materials analysis has dramatically expanded. We see the interest highest in areas of homeland security, forensics and criminal investigation, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and hi-tech electronic developments,” Brooks said.
According to Brooks, the College of Microscopy will help prepare companies and the nation to solve difficult materials analysis problems. “It is important to The McCrone Group that the College of Microscopy is available to ensure the future of microscopy and continue the development of microanalytical techniques at the highest level,” he said.
The College of Microscopy anticipates its courses in the Identification of Unknown White Powders, Soil Identification for Forensics Evidence, Polarized Light Microscopy, Image Analysis, and Advanced Materials Analysis Techniques will be among those in most demand.
After the increased and broad media awareness regarding terrorist threats, the importance of trace evidence in criminal investigative work is better understood. There has been an elevated interest in the microscopy field with the popularity of such television programs as CSI, Cold Case Files, Forensic Files, New Detectives, Medical Detectives, Court TV, and Discovery Channel.
College of Microscopy instructors are internationally recognized experts in the field of materials analysis, microscopy, and microanalysis. The McCrone instructors offer a unique combination of theoretical and state-of-the art hands-on experience and are valued for their expert laboratory analyses and broad subject matter expertise. For more information regarding the College of Microscopy and upcoming courses, visit www.collegeofmicroscopy.com.
About The McCrone Group
Founded in 1956 and located in Westmont, IL, The McCrone Group, Inc., is a world leader in materials analysis and is internationally recognized as the premier microscopy resource. The company is comprised of three business units: McCrone Associates, the analytical service division; McCrone Microscopes & Accessories, the instrument sales division; and the College of Microscopy, the education division that provides training to industry and government scientists worldwide. For more information about The McCrone Group, please visit www.mccrone.com.
McCrone Associates, the analytical service division, is focused on solving some of the most difficult materials analysis problems along with the day-to-day needs of forensic, pharmaceutical, materials, and environmental laboratories, scientific researchers, and government organizations worldwide.
McCrone Microscopes & Accessories, the instrument sales division, offers a complete line of microscopes and microscopy related instruments, reference standards, and resource books.
The College of Microscopy, the Group’s new Learning Center, provides training to both industry and government scientists worldwide. The staff of The McCrone Group has been teaching scientists and researchers for more than 40 years. Today The College of Microscopy offers more than 35 courses a year to the technical and educational community around the world.
The Atlas of Microscopic Particles (www.mccroneatlas.com), the Group’s new online particle resource, is the first of its kind internet-based particle reference for scientists, microscopists, and criminalists engaged in the materials identification area.