How Scientific Equipment Delivers an Education―Literally

What happens to excess or obsolete equipment that sits too long on inventory shelves? For Cole-Parmer, it is converted into college scholarships for students in need.

“At least twice a year, we gather our outdated respirators, refrigerators, and balances, among many other technologies, and ship them to Educational Assistance Ltd. (EAL),” explained Maureen Ranieri, Supply Chain Operations Manager. “EAL is a nonprofit organization that works with colleges across the country to convert this equipment into student scholarships.”

Specifically, EAL places inventory donations from manufacturers, distributors, and retailers with accredited US colleges and universities within their network. “We create an online shopping forum for these schools to pick and choose the items they need,” said John Saban, Development Director, EAL. “Each item is assigned a monetary value. Schools within the program commit to placing the value of the items they choose into a scholarship for students who need assistance. We conduct periodic audits to confirm that the monies are funneled into these scholarships.”

Began by a businessman who benefited from a GI Bill when he was a student, the EAL program has provided more than 10,000 scholarships since its inception in 1982. Current EAL Executive Director Claudia Freed was one of the first scholarship recipients through the program.

“Generally, we network with small to mid-size colleges that have limited budgets for equipment and supplies,” said Saban. Elmhurst College, Lee University, Judson College, and Robert Morris University are just some of the schools within their network.

EAL receives inventory donations of not only scientific equipment, but also computers, welding and maintenance supplies, power and hand tools, and commodities from a range of companies.

“Those items we cannot place are sold in the secondary market, typically in Europe, Asia, or South America,” said Saban. “We appreciate all donations and everything is utilized.”

 Ranieri added: “Our most recent shipment to EAL included 37 items for a total value of $93,000.”

Yet, the real value may be found in the futures of the graduating students who were able to complete their degrees because of the assistance they received.