3D printer purchased in memory of North Allegheny graduate

A new 3D printer at North Allegheny Intermediate High School is emblazoned with a plaque honoring former technology student and 2019 graduate Ian Brunner.

The North Allegheny Foundation was able to purchase the printer from Ian’s family, who wanted to give back to the school district that nurtured their son’s love for technology and engineering.

Ian Brunner died last year at age 22.

“Because North Allegheny middle, intermediate and senior high directly fostered Ian’s passion for designing and building projects, it is important for us to support its continuity. We recognize that Ian’s creativity and knowledge directly benefited from the district’s programs and equipment,” said his mother, Jennifer.

Ian, who lived in Franklin Park, died May 7, 2023, the day he graduated from the University of Dayton with a bachelor of science in engineering. He was fixing an exhaust leak on his car when the jack holding it up collapsed.

Jennifer Brunner said her son began participating in the North Allegheny Technology Student Association events in middle school, designing and building projects to participate in various club challenges, and collaborating with other students in designs.

“Additionally, Ian enjoyed working with instructors to develop his ideas and methods,” she said. The highlight of his year was participating at the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association Leadership Conference at Seven Springs.

“These experiences with TSA and Robotics capitalized upon his interests as well as his skill set. Additionally, it gave him the groundwork to initiate other building projects and seek assistance from several instructors at NA,” his mother said.

Those types of experiences reaffirmed his decision to pursue mechanical engineering in college.

“Consequently, this donation from family and friends is a legacy in his name to promote future engineers,” said Jennifer.

North Allegheny Intermediate technology teacher Adam Purdy submitted a grant to the NA Foundation for a 3D printer. Teachers and staff members in the district can submit grants to the foundation twice each year.

The cost of the Form 3+ desktop resin printer and components was more than $6,600.

“Without the support of the Brunner Family and the NA Foundation we would not have been able to obtain an industrial-grade 3D printer of this caliber,” Purdy said.

The model that was purchased is considered to be an affordable industrial-quality 3D printer that is the industry standard in many career fields, such as engineers, dentistry, medicine, jewelry making, chemistry, eye care technology, film prop making, shoe manufacturing, clothing design and manufacturing end-use parts, according to Purdy.

He has a goal of having at least one 3D printing project in each class he teaches, including robotics and the robotics club, emerging technology, creation and innovation, electronics, and game development engineering

“The future is greatly shifting to the use of 3D printing for many career fields and industries. As a technology educator I feel that I need to prepare students for the future technology that is coming,” he said.

With the ease of digital file transfer, the machine also can be used by the rest of the school’s technology department as needed.

Jennifer Brunner said her family established a memorial scholarship at the University of Dayton in the School of Engineering. Visit give.udayton.edu/ian-t-brunner-memorial-scholarship.

The North Allegheny Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization governed by a 23-member board of trustees that represent a diverse group of community and business leaders.

“The NA Foundation is grateful to the Brunner Family for providing a donation in memory of their son Ian to assist the Foundation to purchase a 3D printer,” said Alice Beckett-Rumberger, who chairs the foundation.

For more information, visit www.northallegheny.org/nafoundation.