What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

Ranken Night with the Blues

Discounted tickets available for Ranken alumni, students and faculty for Ranken Night with the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center against Columbus, on Friday, April 10, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. at the last home game of the season.  Get ticket discounts on-line or at the box office.  Use "Ranken" as the Special Offer Code to receive discounted tickets at www.ticketmaster.com. Each ticket is subject to a $1.25 per ticket handling fee. Tickets can either be printed at home or left at will call.

Ranken's 2009 Car Show & Alumni Reunion

The date has been set for Ranken's annual car show and alumni reunion! (see pictures of past events here)

When: Sunday, April 19, 2009, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (rain or shine event)
        » Registration 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
        » Judging Ends 2:30 p.m.
        » Awards 4:00 p.m.

Where:  Ranken Technical College
            4431 Finney Avenue
            St. Louis, MO 63113

Cost: Free for spectators, $10 registration fee per vehicle (Vehicles may only be registered in one class. Registration is final.)

• Open to the public
• BBQ Lunch
• Alumni reunion
• Test your horsepower on the Chassis Dyno at our new High Performance Racing Technology Center
• Huge raffle including a Snap-On tool chest
• Tours of Ranken programs available
• Dash plaques for the first 200 entrants
• First, Second and Third place trophies awarded in each class
• Specialty awards for: Best of Show, Best Paint, Best Club Display, Best High School
  Student Car, and Most Horsepower on Chassis Dyno.
• Live radio remote broadcast by KHITS 96

Car Show Classes
» Original means less than three separate modifications
» Three to seven changes on modified cars
» Seven or more modifications on street machines

1. Original, 1900-1948
2. Original, 1949-1965
3. Original, 1966-1975
4. Original, 1976-1985
5. Original, 1986-1995
6. Original, 1996-2002
7. Original, 2003-present
8. Original Pony Cars, 1965-1973
9. Streed Rod modified, 1948 and older
10. Modified Cars, 1949-1975
11. Modified Cars, 1976-present
12. Modified Trucks, 1949-present
13. Street Machine, 1949-1960
14. Street Machine, 1961-1975
15. Street Machine, 1976-present
16. Pro-Street (tubbed vehicles) 1949-present
17. 4x4 vechicles, all
18. Mini-trucks
19. SUV’s
20. Imports, 1980-2000
21. Imports, 2001-present
22. Sport Compacts
23. Motorcycles
24. Competition Vehicles On-Road
25. Competition Vehcicles Off-Road
26. Kit Car Class
27. Under Construction Class

Thank you to our sponsors:
» Snap-On
» Akzo Nobel
» Metro Vocational Technical Assistance Program

For general questions or to find out how to become a sponsor, contact: Kevin Meine at (314) 286-4879 or pkmeine@ranken.edu

No outside coolers or alcoholic beverages are allowed.

Ranken Graduate Earns Patent on Chainsaw Cutter

WASHINGTON, Mo. (AP) — Villa Ridge resident Larry McKnight loves a challenge. That’s why when his son remarked that his father couldn’t invent an upright piece of equipment for his chain saw that would move it from the vertical to horizontal position or control the throttle, the former carpentry teacher was more determined than ever to see it happen.

The 69-year-old needed to clear about 50 cedar trees from his property where he hunts, but the kneeling and twisting required to use a chainsaw in the traditional method would be too hard on his back and knees, which have both been replaced.

McKnight said he could have asked his son to do the work, but he was drawn to the challenge.

“That’s how we think,” he said. “I want to get here, how do I do it? I always say, ’If you can visualize it and sketch it, you can make it.”’ Read full article here.

February Alumni Birthdays

Please join us in wishing the following Ranken alumni a happy birthday!

February 1st   
John B. Anderson 
Harold O. Behlke 
Calvin L. Bickley 
Corwin P. Burgess 
Thomas J. Burriss 
David A. Clements, Jr.
Chad C. Crouch 
Eric R. Heins 
Nathan A. Hunt 
Lamour Johnson, Jr.
Ronald D. Latham 
James R. Lovellette 
Scot A. Luchtefeld 
Robert L. Maguire 
Brennan E. Mensinger 
Joseph F. Middendorf 
Donald G. Peters 
Randy L. Peuterbaugh 
Mark A. Ramirez 
Gilbert  Ritchie 
Charles  Sanson 
Guy S. Schmidt 
Kristopher M. Schulte 
Michael A. Shanks 
Steven L. Sitton 
David Smalley 
Larry E. Smith, Jr.
Walter V. Thenhaus 
Robert J. Voss 
Leslie K. Wagner 
Stephan D. Willming 
Robert A. Zinn 

Alumni Entrepreneur Workshop

Top 10 List to Build Success

Gary Tidwell a 1975 HVAC alumnus presented his Top 10 List to Build Success during his presentation on the Ranken campus as part of the Alumni Entrepreneur Workshop series.   Gary graduated from Ranken, started as a technician in the field and because of his energy and need for variety in his job, moved into contracting and construction management at AirMasters.  He is currently serving as the President of MCA of Eastern MO, after doing a stint as Vice President in 2008, and will complete his term of office as Past President in 2010.

Gary's Top 10 List to Build Success looks like this:
1)  Work Safe -don’t take risks – take precautions
2)  Be a Good Worker – give a full day’s work for full day’s pay
3)  Listen to your foreman – these guys know what they are doing
4)  Be Honest
5)  Be Dependable – your peers, family and employer are depending on you
6)  Be Trustworthy – if people can trust what you say and do it makes you valuable
7)  Be Congenial – be easy to work with no one likes working with a crab
8)  Be Attentive – listen to what is being said
9)  Cross Train – if you are a fitter learn plumbing - if you are a plumber learn fitting
10) Be a sponge for knowledge – continue your education, read, teach others, get every certification and license that pertains to your career; don’t ever think that you know it all. 

Not only will these steps work in plumbing or HVAC but can be used for any job in any field where success is desired.  Gary has followed these tips for his success and believes that anyone who does will have a great, fulfilling career. 

Thank you, Gary, for being part of the Ranken Alumni Entrepreneur program. Any Ranken alum interested in participating and sharing their success story may contact Kathy Fern, Alumni Relations (314) 286-4895.

 

Alumni Association Upcoming Events

We have a variety of upcoming Alumni events remaining on the calendar for the 2008-2009 Spring term.  Here is what is in store and we hope you will join us!

Alumni Night Out – Wednesday, March 11, 2009. The Edge in Belleville, IL, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  Join Ranken alumni in an evening at the sports bar, arcades, and laser tag.  The Edge is providing discount games for all Ranken alumni.  Come to network, cheer your favorite team, meet old friends and share an evening of sports, fun, and games.  The Edge is located at 701 S. Belt West, Belleville, IL, website www.edgefun.net

Alumni Reception - Sunday, March 8, 2009, in Walker Hall from Noon-2:00 p.m. An event during the campus-wide Open House scheduled from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.   

Job Fair – Thursday, March 12, 2009. Finney Foyer from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  As a member of the Ranken family we are here for you through tough economic times, whether you have been laid off or just looking take advantage of the lifetime placement services Ranken offers.   Experienced graduates welcome.

Ranken night with the Blues vs. Columbia - Friday, April 10, 2009 at the Scottrade Center at 7:30 p.m.  Join us for the last home game of the season.  Discounted tickets available.  Go to ticketmaster.com, click on "find tickets", enter "RANKEN" in the special code box for discounts.  We hope to see you there!

6th Car Show and Alumni Reunion – Sunday, April 19, 2009. Ranken Campus, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  All alumni lunch at 12:00 p.m. and an Automotive Division Alumni Reunion from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.  All Alumni and car enthusiasts invited.  Plan to bring your car!

Golden Graduate Ceremony – Saturday, May 16, 2009. Chaifetz Arena, SLU Campus.  All graduates from 1959 and earlier are invited to attend and will receive an invitation.    Reception begins at 4:00 p.m. and graduation begins at 7:00 p.m. 

If you are interested in taking part in any of these events, please contact Kathy Fern, Director of Alumni Relations, (314) 286-4895 or email ktfern@ranken.edu.   

Electrical Student Wins Dvorachek Scholarship

At a presentation held this morning in the PLC lab, Thatcher Pazur was awarded the Ernest C. Dvorachek and Ernest H. Dvorachek Scholarship by the donor, Dennis Dvorachek.

Dennis’ father passed away last year and while going through his things, he discovered old tools and books from Ranken. His father graduated from Ranken’s electrical program in 1947 and some of the tools dated back to when his grandfather graduated from the same program in the 1920’s. Dvorachek contacted the alumni relations office to donate the items and also decided to give a monetary gift to be awarded to students who are enrolled in the EAT program. Each year for the next four years, a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student enrolled in the EAT day school program.

Thatcher is double majoring in EAT and CST and plans to graduate in December 2009. He is currently a full-time day student and also works 40 hours per week as a cook at a local restaraunt. "I was so surprised," said Thatcher. "I really appreciate this gift from Mr. Dvorachek. It will help me pay for tution next semester."

Dennis decided to start the scholarship in the hopes that the recipient would "pay it forward" and help another student in the future.

 

Photo: L-R Dennis Dvorachek (donor) and Thatcher Pazur (scholarship recipient)

ESDT Student Takes Big Step Towards Promising Career

Sarah Heithaus will graduate from the Electrical Systems Design Technology program this May and she is already taking great strives towards a promising career in the industry.

Sarah has worked at RSL Lighting as an intern since last August. She currently helps with order entry, customer service and also goes out on sales calls with the sales representatives. Her boss at RSL recently obtained a new client that had purchased a building downtown to be turned into a restaurant and nightclub. He involved Sarah in the entire process from meeting with the client to the selection of fixtures. Sarah completed the lighting schedule for the project and was surprised when the architect printed her schedule and recognized her by name on the blueprints for the project. "I was pretty excited to see that my work was actually going to be used on the project," said Sarah. "They said the schedule was very professional looking and very detailed."

Sarah has received several job offers but would like to stay at RSL after graduation and become their lighting designer doing all their lay-out drawings. "They are really mentoring me and helping me get a better idea of what I want to do within the lighting industry and where I eventually want to be," said Sarah. "I learn new things every day about products and processes and now I have been able to put all of that knowlege into a real-life project."

Ranken to Host SkillsUSA Contest - Will hold competitions Friday at Central West End Campus

(St. Louis, MO) On Friday, February 6, Ranken Technical College will host the SkillsUSA district championships at their main Central West End campus. Ranken students will compete with about 160 other local high school and college students in technical fields such as:  Architectural Drafting, Automated Manufacturing, Automotive Refinishing, Automotive Service, Carpentry, CNC Milling, CNC Turning, Collision Repair, HVAC, Precision Machining, Residential Wiring and Technical Drafting.

Registration for the day’s events will begin at 7:30 a.m.; contests will end between noon and 5:00 p.m.

Winners from the district event will go on to compete in the Missouri state finals, to be held at Linn State Technical College, April 2-4, 2009. Several Ranken students have placed highly at the state level in past years, and in 2007 Ranken students took first place in the nation in the Automated Manufacturing Technology competition.

Vice President for Education, John Wood, said that Ranken hosts SkillsUSA events because “We want to show support by participating in the district competitions, and demonstrate our respect for the quality of the vocational programs in local high schools. We also enjoy putting our students up against the best of the best.”

Since 1907, Ranken Technical College has served the St. Louis region by providing skilled labor through hands-on, state-of-the-art training in a variety of technical disciplines.  Ranken prepares students for successful careers in their chosen technical fields by placing emphasis on technical training, general education and professionalism.  The College offers Associate of Technology and Science degrees in five core divisions—Automotive, Construction, Electrical, Information Technology and Manufacturing, as well as Bachelor of Science degrees in Architectural Technology and Applied Management. Ranken is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.  For more information about Ranken Technical College, visit www.ranken.edu or call (866) 4RANKEN.

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. It is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled work force.