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Jewelers Mutual Pledges $10 Million to SCAD for Bench Jeweler Education March 05, 2026 (0 comments)
Neenah, WI--Jewelers Mutual Group has committed $10 million over a 10-year period to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). The funding is allocated to support the university's jewelry design program and mitigate a nationwide shortage of skilled bench jewelers.
According to a press release by Jewelers Mutual, the industry currently requires approximately 4,000 new bench jewelers annually just to maintain existing capacity. The financial commitment is designed to help double SCAD’s jewelry program enrollment by the year 2030 through facility expansions, equipment upgrades, and the establishment of the Bench Education Endowment (B.E.E.) scholarship fund.
The multi-year investment will also result in a naming gift for the university's jewelry building. “Supporting the future of the jewelry industry means investing in the people who will sustain it,” stated Jewelers Mutual CEO Scott Murphy.
The initiative seeks to integrate academic training with commercial standards, connecting students directly with manufacturers and retailers for apprenticeships and long-term employment. SCAD President Paula Wallace noted in the release that the collaboration will introduce necessary resources and scholarships to the student pipeline.
More details are available in this news release on Jewelers Mutual's website.