HARRISBURG, PA – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is pleased to congratulate LJ Holmes, Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing & Materials, better known as STORMWERX, on receiving the 2025 Education & Workforce Development Award.
The Education & Workforce Development Award is part of the 2025 MILAM (Military Additive Manufacturing) 3D Printing Awards – a yearly event hosted by America Makes and the Defense Strategies Institute. The MILAM 3D Printing Awards recognize individuals and teams who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing in alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) mission priorities.
The MILAM Awards feature four categories: the Education & Workforce Development Award, the Technical Achievement Award, the Award for Expeditionary & Tactical 3D Printing Excellence, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Each category uses a different lens to highlight the role of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in strengthening Warfighter flexibility and readiness and its growing significance in addressing supply-chain challenges.
The Education & Workforce Development Award honors outstanding efforts in education advocacy. It recognizes contributions that have significantly impacted education and workforce development in additive manufacturing in ways that benefit not just the Department of Defense but also America’s industrial base and national competitiveness. These individuals and teams are identified using three key criteria:
- Leadership: Advances thought leadership and collaboration aligned with the missions of America Makes and the DoD in education and workforce development.
- Service: Actively engages with key stakeholders across the industry and DoD to establish and expand education and workforce development initiatives.
- Contribution: Is a collaborative, service-minded expert who enhances knowledge, curricula, and resources to strengthen the AM talent pipeline.
“It’s an honor to receive this recognition from America Makes and the Defense Strategies Institute. This is an individual award, which is humbling. But it never would have happened without the entire STORMWERX team at HU. To my friends and colleagues who nominated me – thank you for your support! I’m deeply proud of the work we’re doing together. Your partnership with HU and STORMWERX makes a tangible impact by supporting national defense and boosting economic competitiveness in fields like advanced manufacturing and materials research. And what you’ve seen is just the beginning. I can’t wait to see where the future takes us!”
The mission at STORMWERX Research Center is to create an interdisciplinary forum and technological proving ground that brings together advanced manufacturing, material sciences, processing, reverse engineering, robotics, and novel machining techniques through digital design and a truly collaborative environment combining academic excellence with strong defense and industry partnerships. STORMWERX is the external partnership and research arm of Harrisburg University’s advanced manufacturing presence in Central Pennsylvania. Its academic arm is ADMA – the Advanced Manufacturing undergraduate program.
Together, ADMA and STORMWERX unlock career-expanding opportunities for learners and ensure HU’s academic program doesn’t just stay on the leading edge of new technologies, but in fact helps define that edge. ADMA and STORMWERX share facilities to offer students an incredibly well-rounded educational and research environment, providing space and expertise for the rapid development and infusion of science and technology into the manufacturing and defense industries.
Visit the STORMWERX homepage to learn more about its mission and how you can get involved. Interested in an exciting and valuable career in advanced manufacturing, machining, 3D printing, and robotics? Visit HarrisburgU.edu or reach out to HU Admissions to start a conversation today.
Once again, please join us in congratulating LJ for this considerable achievement. Thank you for your contributions to our university and our nation, LJ!
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
