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 once billed as the nation's oldest watchmaking program is closing down, the college's president confirmed late yesterday afternoon.

Rassoul Dastmozd did not elaborate, but wrote me an e-mail stating:

It seems like a sad end to a program that once seemed to be promising.

You may remember the piece MPR's business editor, Bill Catlin, did on the program back in May 2003. Its title: 

That title alone is strong stuff. Program director Joe Juaire told him at the time:

Officials there haven't said, but I've asked Dastmozd to speak to me at length about it, and am hoping for a response.

A Nov. 30, 2010 e-mail to Catlin from Craig Anderson, the college's VP for corporate, foundation and community relations, might shed a little light on the funding challenges.

In response to some questions from Catlin about the program, Anderson wrote:

Rolex was financially supporting the program through the second of two five-year, $1 million grants to the college.  But Rolex withdrew its funding effective at the end of the third year.

In another note to Catlin, Anderson outlined the school's plan in response to the Rolex decision:

Although the grant funding was supposed to run through June 30, 2013, Anderson gave Catlin this explanation for Rolex' withdrawal:

Exactly why instructors chose to stick with the old certification and not follow the Rolex funding is unclear.

I hope to get some clarity today or tomorrow.

Education News

On Campus Blog

Alex Friedrich

Author

What Saint Paul College once billed as the nation’s oldest watchmaking program is closing down, the college’s president confirmed late yesterday afternoon. Rassoul Dastmozd did not elaborate, but wrote me an e-mail stating: “The Saint Paul College Watchmaking Program ended this month following decreases in enrollment and continued funding challenges.  All students who remained in…

Why time has run out for Saint Paul College's watchmaking program

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