Adrian, MI – The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute, a hands‑on trade college specializing in carpentry and furniture design, is breaking ground on a new $16 million facility that will triple the number of students it can serve. The expansion, funded by donations, grants and state support, reflects the school’s rapid growth over the past decade.

Growth driven by demand

Co‑founder and president Luke Barnett, a career carpenter, explained that the institute now receives about 250 applications each year but can only admit 24 students. “We turn away most of the people who apply,” Barnett said. The new building will allow the school to increase enrollment threefold, giving more aspiring craftsmen the chance to earn a living doing work they love.

Curriculum focused on high‑end furniture

The institute’s flagship program is a ten‑month, academic‑year course in furniture design. Students learn to build and design high‑quality pieces, mastering complex carpentry techniques. Barnett noted that many enrollees have already earned traditional college degrees but found those careers unfulfilling, prompting a shift to hands‑on work.

Student success stories

Alumni highlight the institute’s impact. Moi Sams, a former fine‑arts major from Toledo, Ohio, said the switch to woodworking “is way better” than her original plan to become an art teacher. Persais Gabehart, originally from Colorado, now lives in Adrian as an artist‑in‑residence, designing furniture for the new campus. Gabehart praised the school’s environment, saying, “This place wants you to grow and it helps you grow.”

Last year’s furniture design class posted a 95 % in‑field employment rate, underscoring the program’s relevance to the local and regional economy.

Community and economic benefits

The institute’s expansion promises to create jobs both during construction and after opening, when additional faculty and support staff will be needed. Continuing‑education courses offered in the summer already attract participants from around the world, further positioning Adrian as a hub for skilled‑trade training.

Looking ahead

Construction on the new campus is slated to finish by next August. Barnett emphasized the school’s mission: “We want to help as many people as possible earn a living doing what they love.” With the added capacity, the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute aims to broaden access to quality trade education while bolstering the local economy.

Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.