Bob DeWyze, director of the Little Red Schoolhouse, 1956-1997
Bell & Gossett celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Little Red Schoolhouse, the company's training facility, in Morton Grove, Ill., on Aug. 27. “I don't think it's an exaggeration to say a million or more have been touched by our Schoolhouse,” said Roy Ahlgren, director, training and education, of the Schoolhouse. He estimated 1,000 people per year come through the school, and another 1,000 attend field seminars. Both of these groups go back to their organizations and share their knowledge.

Ahlgren said one of the school's strengths is its systems-concept of teaching, rather than focusing on product features and benefits. The company said it fills classes regularly without any advertisements. The company recently opened a school in Tianjin, China.

Greg Milewski, hydronics manager of Auer Steel and Heating Supply in Milwaukee, a speaker at the anniversary celebration, said his company sends its employees to the school, which has made it “the” hydronics house in southeast Wisconsin. Presenters included Schoolhouse participants ranging from a graduate of the 2001 summer class to Frank Gall, the Schoolhouse's first instructor in 1954.