Tag: 3BL

Originally published on PSEG ENERGIZE!

The Township of Rochelle Park, a close-knit Bergen County community founded in 1871, is proving that smart energy decisions can deliver benefits beyond lower utility bills. Working with PSE&G, Rochelle Park completed a series of targeted municipal facility upgrades at its Recreation Center, the Rochelle Park Fire Headquarters and the Department of Public Works building that are already strengthening operations, enhancing comfort and freeing up resources that can be reinvested directly back into the community. The project was completed through our Direct Install Program, one of several energy efficiency solutions available to municipalities and small-to-midsize businesses.

Prior to these improvements, these three township facilities faced persistent challenges related to aging heating and cooling equipment, inconsistent building performance and frequent service calls. Staff regularly reported comfort issues, and maintenance teams were spending considerable time troubleshooting equipment rather than focusing on other community priorities.

What upgrades were completed? 

Through our program, the township implemented a comprehensive set of upgrades designed to address these longstanding issues. Improvements included LED lighting retrofits across all facilities, installation of high-efficiency HVAC systems, a furnace replacement at the recreation center and added pipe insulation at the fire headquarters.

These upgrades were carefully selected to improve reliability, reduce energy use and bring critical infrastructure up to modern standards.

How are the upgrades improving township operations?

Since these upgrades were installed, township officials have reported improved indoor comfort for both staff and visitors, along with fewer maintenance issues and service calls. System reliability has improved to the point where only minor issues now require attention, creating smoother and more predictable day-to-day operations across facilities.

In addition to improved performance, the upgrades are delivering measurable energy and cost savings. Across all upgraded facilities, Rochelle Park is saving more than 73,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually — equating to approximately $7,170 in yearly energy cost savings.

With nearly half of the total $141,244 project cost covered through PSE&G incentives, the township was able to complete these improvements in a highly cost-effective way.

These types of energy upgrades aren’t just about buildings; they’re about creating the capacity to extend resources within organizations and communities.”

— Lauren Thomas, Vice President, Clean Energy Solutions – Customer Solutions

And in the case of Rochelle Park, these savings are being redirected back into the community.

There are plans to reinvest funds into:

• New scoreboards and benches at Carlock Field
• New fitness equipment at the recreation center
• New EMS and fire prevention resources for the firehouse and volunteer ambulance corps
• Essential DPW needs, including fleet maintenance, road salt and waste services

As noted by Mayor Thomas Miller, “by lowering energy costs, Rochelle Park is able to reinvest directly into the services and public spaces residents rely on every day.”

What long-term benefits can energy efficiency upgrades provide?

Beyond the financial benefits, these upgrades have streamlined operations for township staff. According to Township Administrator Samantha Carpio, township maintenance teams are spending less time troubleshooting equipment and more time focusing on proactive upkeep and community priorities.

Together, reduced repair expenses and improved system performance are helping ensure township facilities remain reliable, safe and comfortable long into the future.

Rochelle Park’s experience highlights how municipalities of any size can leverage energy efficiency programs to modernize infrastructure without straining budgets.

As the township continues reinvesting savings into community programs and services, its experience serves as an example of how energy efficiency upgrades can support municipal operations, improve public spaces and enhance quality of life for residents.

Interested in exploring energy efficiency programs for your business?

Interested in exploring which of our energy efficiency programs may be the right fit for your business?

Visit pseg.com/BizSavings to learn more about available programs, incentives and ways to reduce energy use and learn more about the impact our energy efficiency programs have had across the state at pseg.com/ImpactHub.

Originally published on PSEG ENERGIZE!

The Township of Rochelle Park, a close-knit Bergen County community founded in 1871, is proving that smart energy decisions can deliver benefits beyond lower utility bills. Working with PSE&G, Rochelle Park completed a series of targeted municipal facility upgrades at its Recreation Center, the Rochelle Park Fire Headquarters and the Department of Public Works building that are already strengthening operations, enhancing comfort and freeing up resources that can be reinvested directly back into the community. The project was completed through our Direct Install Program, one of several energy efficiency solutions available to municipalities and small-to-midsize businesses.

Prior to these improvements, these three township facilities faced persistent challenges related to aging heating and cooling equipment, inconsistent building performance and frequent service calls. Staff regularly reported comfort issues, and maintenance teams were spending considerable time troubleshooting equipment rather than focusing on other community priorities.

What upgrades were completed? 

Through our program, the township implemented a comprehensive set of upgrades designed to address these longstanding issues. Improvements included LED lighting retrofits across all facilities, installation of high-efficiency HVAC systems, a furnace replacement at the recreation center and added pipe insulation at the fire headquarters.

These upgrades were carefully selected to improve reliability, reduce energy use and bring critical infrastructure up to modern standards.

How are the upgrades improving township operations?

Since these upgrades were installed, township officials have reported improved indoor comfort for both staff and visitors, along with fewer maintenance issues and service calls. System reliability has improved to the point where only minor issues now require attention, creating smoother and more predictable day-to-day operations across facilities.

In addition to improved performance, the upgrades are delivering measurable energy and cost savings. Across all upgraded facilities, Rochelle Park is saving more than 73,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually — equating to approximately $7,170 in yearly energy cost savings.

With nearly half of the total $141,244 project cost covered through PSE&G incentives, the township was able to complete these improvements in a highly cost-effective way.

These types of energy upgrades aren’t just about buildings; they’re about creating the capacity to extend resources within organizations and communities.”

— Lauren Thomas, Vice President, Clean Energy Solutions – Customer Solutions

And in the case of Rochelle Park, these savings are being redirected back into the community.

There are plans to reinvest funds into:

• New scoreboards and benches at Carlock Field
• New fitness equipment at the recreation center
• New EMS and fire prevention resources for the firehouse and volunteer ambulance corps
• Essential DPW needs, including fleet maintenance, road salt and waste services

As noted by Mayor Thomas Miller, “by lowering energy costs, Rochelle Park is able to reinvest directly into the services and public spaces residents rely on every day.”

What long-term benefits can energy efficiency upgrades provide?

Beyond the financial benefits, these upgrades have streamlined operations for township staff. According to Township Administrator Samantha Carpio, township maintenance teams are spending less time troubleshooting equipment and more time focusing on proactive upkeep and community priorities.

Together, reduced repair expenses and improved system performance are helping ensure township facilities remain reliable, safe and comfortable long into the future.

Rochelle Park’s experience highlights how municipalities of any size can leverage energy efficiency programs to modernize infrastructure without straining budgets.

As the township continues reinvesting savings into community programs and services, its experience serves as an example of how energy efficiency upgrades can support municipal operations, improve public spaces and enhance quality of life for residents.

Interested in exploring energy efficiency programs for your business?

Interested in exploring which of our energy efficiency programs may be the right fit for your business?

Visit pseg.com/BizSavings to learn more about available programs, incentives and ways to reduce energy use and learn more about the impact our energy efficiency programs have had across the state at pseg.com/ImpactHub.

PITTSBURGH, August 6, 2026 /3BL/ – Wesco’s Veterans Opportunity Liaison Team (VOLT) Business Resource Group, through sponsorship from Wesco Cares, partnered with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) to support its STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps, helping introduce students to hands-on experiences in engineering, construction, leadership and problem solving. SAME’s camps provide immersive STEM opportunities for students and serve more than 300 participants annually across multiple camp locations.

As part of the partnership, the Wesco Safety team worked with Ansell to donate 330 pairs of safety glasses and gloves to help equip campers across five camps for hands-on activities that bring STEM learning to life. The contribution reflects Wesco’s commitment to supporting education, workforce development and safe learning environments.

 

The initiative was led by VOLT, a Wesco Business Resource Group, and sponsored through Wesco Cares, the company’s global community engagement program. The partnership aligns with VOLT’s mission to support veterans, military-connected communities and future generations of leaders through service and community engagement.

“At Wesco, we believe in investing in the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers,” said Don Snowden, Wesco Senior Vice President and General Manager, Communications Security Solutions and VOLT Executive Sponsor. “Through the support of Wesco Cares, this partnership with SAME allowed us to contribute both resources and expertise to a program that helps students explore STEM careers while developing leadership, teamwork and technical skills.”

SAME’s STEM/Engineering & Construction Camps are designed to introduce high school students to engineering, science and construction careers through real-world challenges, mentorship opportunities and hands-on learning experiences. The camps bring together military leaders, industry professionals and students to foster curiosity, collaboration and career exploration.

 

“Supporting STEM education is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future,” said Don. “We’re proud to support VOLT’s partnership with SAME and help create opportunities that inspire young people to pursue careers that will help build, connect, power and protect the world.”

By partnering with organizations like SAME, VOLT and Wesco Cares continue to demonstrate Wesco’s commitment to strengthening communities, supporting military-connected organizations and helping develop the workforce of tomorrow. To learn more about Wesco in the community, visit Wesco.com. 

About Wesco

Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500® company with approximately $24 billion in annual sales in 2025 and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 21,000 people, partners with the industry’s premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and significant digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, technology companies, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates more than 700 sites, including distribution centers, fulfillment centers, and sales offices in approximately 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations.

About SAME

Founded in 2016, the SAME Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering engineering leadership for the nation. The Foundation supports STEM education, workforce development, and leadership programs that strengthen national resilience. Learn more at same.org/foundation.

Contact Information:

Jennifer Sniderman
Vice President, Corporate Communications
Jennifer.sniderman@wescodist.com

MetLife

MetLife’s foundation of learning and professional development enhances our workforce’s ability to move with speed and discipline to deliver results in a changing world. Our approach emphasizes building business-critical skills and empowering employees to pursue development opportunities. We create impactful learning experiences through a combination of virtual, hybrid, in-person and individual self-paced opportunities, where our people can collaborate and learn from one another.

Investing in Learning and Development

MyLearning provides access to digital learning resources such as articles, books, videos, webinars and courses. By adding “focus skills” to their MyLearning profiles, employees receive AI-based recommendations to learning resources to personalize their development needs.

Growing@MetLife showcases the many learning and development resources available to our people and reflects our strong culture of feedback, which is critical to employee engagement. Through ongoing career and development conversations with their managers, employees receive feedback on their strengths and identify opportunities to build skills and reach their potential.

Following these conversations, employees use MetLife’s online platform to create individualized development plans and access a wide range of personalized learning options, with a majority of employees now having a development plan in place. Growing@MetLife also hosts career workshops to help employees create development plans, prepare for interviews and explore their next opportunity.

In addition, employees can access on‑demand coaching through Coaching@MetLife, which offers support from internally certified coaches. The program focuses on helping employees unlock their potential by giving them space to develop their skills, work through challenges and gain confidence to advance their careers.

Our global internal talent marketplace, MyPath, allows employees to manage their own professional development by providing opportunities for experiential learning and skill-building while enhancing how we serve our customers and grow as individuals. The platform uses AI-based recommendations to match employees to opportunities based on their self-identified skills, experiences and ambitions. MetLife updated MyPath to include internal apprenticeship roles, connecting employees interested in building new skills via direct experience with subject matter experts seeking to strengthen their leadership and knowledge-sharing capabilities. For leaders, apprenticeships offer an opportunity to build the team they need to innovate, stretch and grow.

MetLife also offers deep-skilling programs to train our people with the skills they need to be future‑ready, offering high‑quality, industry‑relevant learning delivered in local languages. To support business strategy in the U.S., for example, we offer a two‑day financial and business acumen boot camp for select leaders. The program focuses on the drivers of MetLife’s financial performance, including an understanding of our primary products and services.

In addition, mandatory training helps employees stay current on regulatory requirements; understand how to protect one another, the Company and our customers; and support key MetLife priorities. Please see Responsible Governance for additional information.

Empowering Employees to Use AI

As an organization intent on transforming performance into growth, MetLife is continuously evolving. AI is a force multiplier for the business—augmenting human ingenuity and enabling teams to move with greater speed, clarity and confidence.

To capitalize on this emerging technology and unlock capacity, we’re empowering every employee across the enterprise to upskill in AI and leverage technologies that remove friction, automate routine work and enable a greater focus on higher-value outcomes. Employees have access to AI tools and are encouraged to identify opportunities where AI can drive efficiencies and create smarter, more responsive customer experiences.

Our AI Academy online training portal offers certifications and courses in generative AI, critical thinking and prompt engineering. It’s designed to meet employees where they are on their AI journey, featuring courses for users at every skill level and business function.

Building Strong Leaders

Through targeted leader workshops, ongoing coaching and year-round feedback resources, we equip people leaders with the skills needed to deliver effective performance feedback, communicate compensation outcomes clearly and hold meaningful career conversations. These experiences emphasize practical application, supporting leaders in setting clear goals, enabling continuous performance development and supporting employees’ growth.

To further strengthen leadership effectiveness, MetLife’s Leader Expectations Tool provides leaders with actionable feedback from team members on their demonstration of core leadership behaviors. The tool helps leaders translate feedback into clear development priorities, identify specific actions to strengthen their capabilities and continuously improve how they lead their teams in alignment with MetLife’s values and growth priorities.

Centering Training and Development on Our Strategy

New Frontier challenges our workforce to focus on what matters most to drive sustainable growth and long‑term performance. To support this shift, we introduced a set of development experiences designed to help employees understand the strategy and their role in bringing it to life.

Employees participated in Strategy Days—immersive, interactive workshops centered on New Frontier. Through these experiences, employees explored how the strategy prioritizes high‑impact work, leverages technology to improve efficiency, and relies on collaboration and transparency to succeed.

We complemented Strategy Days with ongoing training and targeted campaigns that offered practical guidance and accessible resources. These efforts helped employees apply New Frontier principles in their day‑to‑day work, build business and financial acumen, leverage AI, and focus their time and energy on work that drives the greatest value and impact.

Learn more about how MetLife is developing talent and employee skills in the MetLife 2025 Sustainability Report

Originally published on 3M News Center

When golfers select a club, they want something that will deliver consistency, distance and control. Achieving that level of performance on the course requires an extraordinary effort behind the scenes — that’s where the partnership between PING and 3M shines.

By pairing PING’s expertise in club design and custom manufacturing with 3M’s broad portfolio of materials science solutions, the two companies can collaborate on engineering solutions that turn complex technical challenges into repeatable, high-quality results on the course.

Watch 3M and PING in action to see how science and craftsmanship come together on the factory floor.

Technology at every stage of manufacturing

Building a modern golf club requires exacting standards, from individual fittings to component preparation, custom manufacturing and final delivery. Inside PING’s facilities, 3M technologies are woven throughout the entire process to help meet each athlete’s expectations.

“We see 3M as a very closely integrated partner,” said Oscar Mortera, director of manufacturing engineering, PING. “They help us through almost every step — from when materials arrive in the warehouse to when a club is scanned for shipping at the end of production.”

Whether enabling accurate component bonding, supporting surface preparation with precision abrasives or providing durable tracking labels, 3M solutions help ensure quality and efficiency across the production process.  

“3M enables our innovation,” added Ryan Stokke, director of product design, PING. “When we’re excited about a creative new pathway, and we have an engineering idea, we look to 3M to pair it with a great engineering solution. They help us overcome specific challenges so we can deliver a better golf club.”

Built to survive the extreme —– from freezers to ovens

Before any club reaches a golfer’s hands, it undergoes extreme environmental and mechanical validation to guarantee performance under tough conditions.

Inside PING’s durability lab, 3M epoxies and adhesive tapes are put to the ultimate test using “”PING Man,” PING’s legendary robotic testing system.

“We’ll put clubs in the freezer for two hours, then hit balls with PING Man and see if the club survives,” explained Doug Conatser, senior analysis and testing supervisor, PING. “If it does, it immediately goes into an oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of hours before hitting more shots. It’s an extensive environmental and thermal cycling of the 3M products, and they stand up to that wide temperature range.”

Turning innovation into results

From the factory floor to the first tee, the collaboration between 3M and PING demonstrates how science, engineering, and shared passion come together to elevate the game for golfers worldwide.

FAQ

What is the partnership between 3M and PING?

The partnership brings together PING’s expertise in golf club design and custom manufacturing with 3M materials science and technology. Together, the companies collaborate on solutions that support performance, precision, quality and consistency in golf club production.

How are 3M technologies used in PING golf clubs?

3M technologies support multiple stages of PING’s manufacturing process, including component bonding, surface preparation, precision abrasives, durable tracking labels, epoxies and adhesive tapes. These solutions—including 3M™ Trizact™, 3M™ Scotch-Weld™ and more—help PING meet exacting standards from production through final delivery.

Why are adhesives, tapes and abrasives important in golf club manufacturing?

Golf clubs must perform consistently under demanding conditions, so materials used in manufacturing need to support strength, durability and precision. Adhesives, tapes and abrasives help connect components, prepare surfaces and maintain quality throughout the production process.

We have heard from many CSR leaders who are eager to develop their strategy and increase their impact, but they are underfunded, underresourced, and overworked. They lack the budget to bring in additional staff or consultants. Even when they secure funding, it is often difficult to devote the necessary time to strategic planning.

CSR Talent Group was started to help address this problem. We’ve recruited consultants with the unique experience necessary to create or provide a strategy refresh, helping CSR leaders move forward and address critical issues with a minimal budget.

By way of example, a new consultant in our network, first worked for several companies, and has spent the last 30 years advising hundreds of companies—including many of the Fortune 50—on their CSR strategy and approach. She determined that many companies would benefit from a short-term, highly focused approach that provides a strategic roadmap while acknowledging their budget and availability limitations.

Few individuals possess the combination of corporate and deep consulting experience that provides the perspective, knowledge and expertise needed to help companies advance their programs. However, CSR Talent Group has many individuals who meet that criteria.

If you need a powerful boost to your CSR strategy, we have the individual who can help. Let’s find a moment to discuss. Reach out to me at knowlton@csrtalentgroup.com and we can schedule a time to connect.

Tom Knowlton,
CEO, CSR Talent Group

NEW YORK, August 5, 2026 /3BL/ – The Concordia Leadership Council is proud to announce Mr. Ryan Gellert, Chief Executive Officer of Patagonia, as the first of three recipients of the 2026 Concordia Leadership Award, recognized for his work in the private sector. Mr. Gellert will be formally recognized for his exceptional leadership at the 2026 Concordia Annual Summit (September 20-23, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel), the leading public-private sector forum alongside the UN General Assembly. Pass and registration information can be found here.

The Concordia Leadership Award recognizes global leaders who have made pioneering contributions and inspired others by turning vision into impact. Voted on by the Concordia Leadership Award Committee, recipients are committed to catalyzing positive social and economic change while promoting effective public-private collaboration to create a more sustainable future. Past private sector recipients include: Mr. Arvind Krishna, Chairman & CEO of IBM; Ginni Rometty, Former Chairman, President & CEO of IBM; Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart; Paul Polman, Former CEO of Unilever; and Paul Bulcke, Chairman of Nestlé.

For the private sector, Concordia has selected Mr. Ryan Gellert, Chief Executive Officer of Patagonia, for his extraordinary leadership in aligning business with positive environmental impact. Since taking the helm in 2020, Mr. Gellert has overseen a landmark restructuring of the company’s ownership, transferring it to the Patagonia Purpose Trust and the Holdfast Collective in 2022, legally enshrining the company’s values so that every dollar not reinvested in the business is directed toward protecting the planet. Throughout his career, from his leadership across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to his global tenure as CEO, Mr. Gellert has demonstrated a rare commitment to using business as a force for environmental good.

Anita McBride, Chair of Concordia’s Leadership Award Committee, Leadership Council Member, Author, and Former Assistant to President George W. Bush & Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, expressed her excitement:

“Each year, this committee looks for leaders who prove that business and purpose aren’t in tension; they’re the same project,” said McBride. “Ryan Gellert has built that case as clearly as anyone in the private sector today, restructuring Patagonia’s ownership so that its mission is permanent, not dependent on any one leader’s tenure. That kind of institutional courage is what the Concordia Leadership Award exists to honor.” 

In the coming weeks, Concordia will announce its public sector and civil society honorees, completing the 2026 Leadership Award class. Together, their recognition reflects Concordia’s broader commitment to elevating leaders across every sector who are translating vision into lasting impact.

About Concordia 
Concordia is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to actively fostering, elevating, and sustaining cross-sector partnerships for social impact. Through its Annual Summit in New York, Horizon Summits held around the world, and year-round programming, Concordia convenes leaders from business, government, and civil society to drive collaboration and measurable change.

Media Contact 
Mateo Carvajal González 
Media Relations Manager, Concordia 
mcarvajal@concordia.net

NEW YORK, August 5, 2026 /3BL/ – The Concordia Leadership Council is proud to announce Mr. Ryan Gellert, Chief Executive Officer of Patagonia, as the first of three recipients of the 2026 Concordia Leadership Award, recognized for his work in the private sector. Mr. Gellert will be formally recognized for his exceptional leadership at the 2026 Concordia Annual Summit (September 20-23, Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel), the leading public-private sector forum alongside the UN General Assembly. Pass and registration information can be found here.

The Concordia Leadership Award recognizes global leaders who have made pioneering contributions and inspired others by turning vision into impact. Voted on by the Concordia Leadership Award Committee, recipients are committed to catalyzing positive social and economic change while promoting effective public-private collaboration to create a more sustainable future. Past private sector recipients include: Mr. Arvind Krishna, Chairman & CEO of IBM; Ginni Rometty, Former Chairman, President & CEO of IBM; Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart; Paul Polman, Former CEO of Unilever; and Paul Bulcke, Chairman of Nestlé.

For the private sector, Concordia has selected Mr. Ryan Gellert, Chief Executive Officer of Patagonia, for his extraordinary leadership in aligning business with positive environmental impact. Since taking the helm in 2020, Mr. Gellert has overseen a landmark restructuring of the company’s ownership, transferring it to the Patagonia Purpose Trust and the Holdfast Collective in 2022, legally enshrining the company’s values so that every dollar not reinvested in the business is directed toward protecting the planet. Throughout his career, from his leadership across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to his global tenure as CEO, Mr. Gellert has demonstrated a rare commitment to using business as a force for environmental good.

Anita McBride, Chair of Concordia’s Leadership Award Committee, Leadership Council Member, Author, and Former Assistant to President George W. Bush & Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush, expressed her excitement:

“Each year, this committee looks for leaders who prove that business and purpose aren’t in tension; they’re the same project,” said McBride. “Ryan Gellert has built that case as clearly as anyone in the private sector today, restructuring Patagonia’s ownership so that its mission is permanent, not dependent on any one leader’s tenure. That kind of institutional courage is what the Concordia Leadership Award exists to honor.” 

In the coming weeks, Concordia will announce its public sector and civil society honorees, completing the 2026 Leadership Award class. Together, their recognition reflects Concordia’s broader commitment to elevating leaders across every sector who are translating vision into lasting impact.

About Concordia 
Concordia is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to actively fostering, elevating, and sustaining cross-sector partnerships for social impact. Through its Annual Summit in New York, Horizon Summits held around the world, and year-round programming, Concordia convenes leaders from business, government, and civil society to drive collaboration and measurable change.

Media Contact 
Mateo Carvajal González 
Media Relations Manager, Concordia 
mcarvajal@concordia.net

By Eric Ellis, Higher Education Strategist NA

As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, researchers are using cutting-edge technology to preserve one of the nation’s most enduring symbols: the Liberty Bell.

In partnership with the National Park Service and the VAR Lab at Penn State Behrend recently completed what is believed to be one of the most comprehensive digital preservation efforts ever undertaken for the Liberty Bell. The resulting high-fidelity digital model will help preserve the historic artifact for future generations while expanding opportunities for research, education and public access.

Using laser-line and structured-light scanning, LiDAR, and photogrammetry capable of capturing details as small as 10-25 microns—less than half the width of a human hair—the team created multiple research-grade digital models of the bell without ever touching, moving or altering the historic artifact.

The project was completed during a tightly controlled nine-hour access window over two days at the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia. Working before and after public visiting hours, researchers deployed an extensive suite of scanning equipment to capture the bell and its surroundings from virtually every possible angle.

To support the effort, Lenovo provided a Lenovo Legion system that enabled researchers to process and validate massive scan datasets onsite, helping ensure data quality during the limited access window. The system also supported visualization, quality assurance and media workflows throughout the project.

“Having the Lenovo Legion system with us in Philadelphia made a real difference for the field workflow,” said Christopher R. Shelton, Ph.D., Founder and Director, VAR Lab (The Emerging Technologies Hub). “It gave the team more flexibility during a very limited access window and helped us manage onsite processing, quality assurance, visualization and media work in a way that would have been much harder without it.”

The digital model will serve as a permanent archival record while also being made broadly available for education, research and public engagement through interactive digital experiences. The work also lays the foundation for future research, including acoustic simulations that could help answer a longstanding question: What would the Liberty Bell sound like if it were rung today in its current cracked state?

“As we approach America’s Semiquincentennial, technology is creating entirely new ways to preserve, study and experience our shared history,” said Milo Speranzo, Chief Marketing Officer, Lenovo North America. “We’re proud Lenovo technology helped support the creation of a high-fidelity digital record of the Liberty Bell that can benefit researchers, educators and future generations.”

Future phases of the project may also include creating a full-scale 3D-printed replica capable of recreating the bell’s sound for educational experiences, further demonstrating how advanced computing, AI and digital preservation technologies can help protect and share cultural heritage.

By helping researchers preserve and study an irreplaceable piece of American history, Lenovo technology is demonstrating how innovation can help safeguard our shared heritage for generations to come.

Originally published on 3M News Center

The 3M Open returned to TPC Twin Cities in July for its eighth edition, rewriting the record book and crowning a 21-year-old champion who held off the top player in the world.

Across four rounds, the field produced a career-low opening round, one of the rarest scores in PGA TOUR history and a hometown surge that sent the gallery home happy.

Here are the moments that defined the week.

A breakthrough victory and 72-hole record

Jackson Koivun captured his first PGA TOUR victory Sunday, closing with rounds of 61 and 66 to finish at 25-under-par 259. The total set a new 3M Open 72-hole scoring record and sealed a three-stroke victory over World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

Playing in just his third PGA TOUR start as a professional, Koivun became the seventh first-time winner on Tour this season.

“You know, I played a great round of golf today. Definitely had some nerves coming down on 18. All throughout the crowd I kept hearing, ‘Scottie’s coming, Scottie’s coming,’” said Koivun. “I just tried to tone that out and keep playing the golf I knew I could.”

 

He also expressed gratitude for the tournament. “I’ll be forever indebted to the 3M Open for helping me get my first PGA TOUR win,” said Koivun.

A historic 59 for the record books

The week’s defining round came Friday. Michael Kim fired a bogey-free 12-under 59 in the second round, setting both a 3M Open tournament record and a TPC Twin Cities course record.

Punctuated by a 24-foot birdie putt on the 18^th green, Kim’s performance stands as just the 16th sub-60 round in PGA TOUR history, rocketing him to 14-under and the top of the 36-hole leaderboard. While Koivun later claimed the 72-hole scoring title on Sunday, Kim’s electric Friday round remains in the record books as the lowest single round ever played at the course.

Fast starts and a local fan favorite

The low scoring began early Thursday. Ben Kohles opened the tournament with a bogey-free 9-under 62, a career low, and set the tone for an exciting week of play.

Meanwhile, Minnesota native Muzzy Donohue made his PGA TOUR debut and delivered one of the week’s standout stories. Donohue entered the field just days before the tournament began after receiving a sponsor exemption from 3M — check out his reaction to the surprise invitation here.

Donohue didn’t waste the opportunity: After carding an 8-under 63 in the second round, he surged to 6-under to make the weekend cut. For a tournament dedicated to bringing world-class golf to Minnesota, Donohue gave the hometown crowd a run worth celebrating.

 

Community impact through golf

While multiple scoring records will define this week in tournament history, it’s the event’s local impact that continues to set the 3M Open apart.

All net proceeds from the tournament flow to the 3M Open Fund, a foundation created when 3M and the PGA TOUR established the event in 2019. Since its inception, the fund has directed more than $9.5 million to the Twin Cities community, positively impacting more than 1.25 million youth and young adults through pillar charities chosen based on need.

Among those supported is Folds of Honor, which provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. In 2024, the 3M Open added Folds of Honor Friday to tournament week programming to honor those who serve and support their families.

Tournament week also featured Golf 4 All Day, hosted in partnership with 3M Community Impact, which brought more than 500 students to TPC Twin Cities for an educational experience across the course.

Science on and around the course

Beyond competitive play and record-setting scores, tournament attendees got a firsthand look at 3M technologies in action across the course, from fan experiences and games to course infrastructure and staff support. Read more about how 3M technology shaped this year’s 3M Open here.

3M Open FAQ

When was the 2026 3M Open held? The 2026 3M Open was held July 23-26 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.

How many years has the 3M Open been held? The 2026 tournament marked the eighth edition of the 3M Open, which began in 2019 when 3M and the PGA TOUR established the event.

Who won the 2026 3M Open? Jackson Koivun won the 2026 3M Open, finishing at 25-under-par 259 for his first PGA TOUR victory and a new tournament 72-hole scoring record.

What were the biggest records set this year? Koivun set the tournament’s 72-hole scoring record, and Michael Kim set both the 3M Open single-round record and TPC Twin Cities course record with a 12-under 59 in the second round.

What is the charitable impact of the 3M Open? Since 2019, the 3M Open Fund has directed more than $9.5 million to the Twin Cities community, not including this year’s proceeds, and supported more than 1.25 million youth and young adults through selected pillar charities.

Where do tournament proceeds go? Net proceeds support the 3M Open Fund, which works with community organizations and pillar charities focused on youth, families and local needs.