What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

Ranken Honors Its Scholarship Donors, Recipients

On Friday, March 23, Ranken’s Development office hosted a Scholarship Luncheon in the atrium of the Mary Ann Lee Technology Center. All scholarship donors and recipients were invited to attend the luncheon.

"We wanted to hold this event so that the donors could meet the recipients of their scholarship and see first-hand how their generosity is affecting lives," said Tony Pisciotta, Ranken’s director of institutional advancement

More than 125 guests attended the event which began with a welcome message from Don Pohl, Ranken’s vice president for education. The guests then enjoyed lunch and had the opportunity to hear from three students who are benefiting from scholarships; Shauna Wollmershauser from High-Performance Racing Technology, Roger Mudd from Information Technology and Abdullah Matteuzzi from HVACR. All are second-year students who will graduate in May. Each speaker took the opportunity to thank all of the donors and spoke on how the funds are helping to benefit them personally.

"Because of your contribution, I’ll leave this campus with confidence knowing I will be an asset, not just an employee," said Mudd during his remarks. Mudd talked about his personal Ranken journey which started two years ago while he was living in a homeless shelter downtown St. Louis. "With your help I have gone from a line at the soup kitchen to the line in a graduation ceremony and for that I am eternally grateful."

The program ended with remarks from Ranken’s President, Stan Shoun who once again thanked all of the donors for their contributions and their dedication to the future workforce.

"We are very excited to provide a venue in which sponsors can actually see and get to know the students that they have provided support for this past year," said Shoun. "We hope to continue this for years to come."

 

Automotive Students Offer Helping Hand to World Bird Sanctuary

AMT Line shop students, Eric Buchner and Matt Brautigam worked to put new tires on a van for the World Bird Sanctuary

Over the years Ranken has built a relationship with the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS), located in Valley Park, Mo. The organization’s mission is to preserve the earth’s biological diversity and to secure the future of threatened bird species in their natural environments. They work to fulfill that mission through education, captive breeding, field studies and rehabilitation. The WBS, which sits on 305 acres and is home to over 200 animals, is free and open to the public.

In the past, Ranken has provided support for WBS through minor construction projects, maintenance and vehicle repairs. Recently one of the vans that the organization uses to transport birds for events was in desperate need of new tires. Ranken heard of their need and asked the Automotive Line Shop to help. Two second-year Automotive students, Eric Buchner and Matt Brautigam under the supervision of instructor Kyle Lympus, mounted, balanced and installed new tires on the van as well as performing an inspection. Although we didn't manage to secure a donation for free tires, we were able to get the tires at a discounted rate through one of our partners.

“We can’t thank Ranken enough for this support,” said Jeff Meshach, director of the World Bird Sanctuary. “The van is back in service again, ready for this season thanks to your Automotive students."

Ranken Honors Its Scholarship Donors, Recipients

Scholarship recipient Roger Mudd (Information Technology) speaks to a group of donors, instructors and fellow scholarship recipients.  

On Friday, March 23, Ranken’s Development office hosted a Scholarship Luncheon in the atrium of the Mary Ann Lee Technology Center. All scholarship donors and recipients were invited to attend the luncheon.

“We wanted to hold this event so that the donors could meet the recipients of their scholarship and see first-hand how their generosity is affecting lives,” said Tony Pisciotta, Ranken’s director of institutional advancement.

More than 125 guests attended the event, which began with a welcome message from Don Pohl, Ranken’s vice president for education. The guests then enjoyed lunch and had the opportunity to hear from three students who are benefiting from scholarships; Shauna Wollmershauser from High-Performance Racing Technology, Roger Mudd from Information Technology and Abdullah Matteuzzi from HVACR. All are second-year students who will graduate in May. Each speaker took the opportunity to thank all of the donors and spoke on how the funds are helping to benefit them personally. 

“Because of your contribution, I’ll leave this campus with confidence knowing I will be an asset, not just an employee,” said Mudd during his remarks. Mudd talked about his personal Ranken journey which started two years ago while he was living in a homeless shelter downtown St. Louis.

“With your help I have gone from a line at the soup kitchen to the line in a graduation ceremony and for that I am eternally grateful.”

The program ended with remarks from Ranken’s President, Stan Shoun who once again thanked all of the donors for their contributions and their dedication to the future workforce.

“We are very excited to provide a venue in which sponsors can actually see and get to know the students that they have provided support for this past year,” said Shoun. “We hope to continue this for years to come."

Wood Joins Board of St. Louis NTMA

Congratulations to John Wood who recently became a board member for the St. Louis Chapter of the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA).

NTMA is a non-profit trade association whose mission is to help members of the U.S. precision custom manufacturing industry achieve profitable growth and business success in a global economy through advocacy, advice, education, networking, information, programs and services.

The St. Louis chapter currently consists of 49 member companies from the great St. Louis area including tooling and machining firms, suppliers to the industry and educational institutions. Of the 37 chapters nationwide, the St. Louis chapter was recently recognized as a "Star Chapter." This designation is used to recognize the top 13 chapters, their leaders and staff for outstanding achievements in advancing the NTMA and the manufacturing industry. The St. Louis chapter was also recognized as the "Most Improved Chapter."

 

Employee Accolades

 Kudos to some members of our General Education department who have received awards or have gotten published. 

James Gravitt, instructor of physics and algebra, published a non-fiction book called “Wild Turkey: A Spiritual Journey.” His book, available on Amazon.com, is a collection of short narratives about the experiences of his life, most notably his adventures in the Canadian wilderness. 

 Keith Morton, academic support coordinator for the Student Achievement Center, was Gravitt’s editor and publisher for the book. Keith is the founder of World of Difference Publishing and has written a book titled “Play, Record, Learn.”

 Deborah Mashibini, instructor of English Composition, published four poems in the award-winning national poetry magazine, Kaleidoscope. One poem has been accepted for an anthology, “American Society: What Poets See,” scheduled for release in mid-2012.

 Con Christeson, BSAM instructor of fine arts,  was named a 2012 honoree for the Tenth Annual Visionary Awards.  She was recognized by the local arts community as the most “Successful Working Artist.”

 Lois Ingrum, instructor of digital photography, was also named a 2012 honoree for the Tenth Annual Visionary Awards.  She was recognized as “Outstanding Arts Educator.”

 Congratulations to all these instructors for their outstanding achievements!

Ranken Partnering With American Welding Society in Two Events

Ranken once again has the opportunity to host a

"Student Night" for the local chapter of the American Welding Society (AWS). The organization holds this meeting each year to recognize outstanding welding students and to promote student involvement in AWS. This year’s event is scheduled for April 12 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served in the atrium of the Mary Ann Lee Technology Center then presentations will follow in the new R.W Staley Auditorium. Trade union schools will also have the opportunity to have a table or display on hand about their welding programs.

Prior to the event AWS invites high schools, colleges and trade union schools from a 50 mile radius to nominate one outstanding student of the year to attend the event.

The College is also partnering with AWS in an event scheduled for next

Thursday, March 15, the "10th Annual Mini Weld Show." This event showcases the latest in safety, testing, welding tools and welding technology. Representatives from more than 40 companies are scheduled to be on hand to provide live demonstrations, presentations and technical expertise. There will also be a presentation on Phased Array Ultrasound Testing conducted by Tom Hay with Waves In Solids and a seminar for students on the scholarship and application process. This event will be held at The Hil Bax Technical Center at Cee Kay Supply, Inc. in St. Louis, Mo. from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Anyone interested in welding and related industries, including instructors and students are encouraged to attend this free event. For directions, visit www.ceekay.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Spark Plug Challenge

Enter the Spark Plug Challenge with a friend at the upcoming Ranken Car Show on April 15th. 

Sponsored by the Alumni Council this challenge will test your skills at spark plug changing— 4 out and 4 in—the fastest time wins a prize! At the end of the day are you the fastest? Champion trophy will be given during the awards ceremony for the fastest time recorded. Singles, duos and teams are welcome. The cost per timed contest is $1 and all proceeds go toward the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.

See you there!

 

Godfrey Business Owner Mike Edwards Visits Campus

Mike Edwards (1990 HVAC) spoke to 40 or more students and faculty during the February Alumni Entrepreneur Workshop on campus. Mike had much to tell 'from the heart' and first-hand experience. Students kept him even longer with questions about the HVACR field.

Mike is pictured here with Chris Brueggeman (L) depatment head and Kevin Joyce (R) HVACR faculty.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Alumni Entrepreneur Workshop please contact Kathy Fern. We are looking for graduates who own their own businesses and can relate the path of that success. The next workshop will be held on campus in September.

Ranken Support from Many

Thank you to the following donors who made a gift of $1,000 or more in support of the programs at Ranken Technical College between July 1 and December 31, 2011. We appreciate all of our donors and gifts in any size. Contributions support campus growth and success and we couldn't do it without you.

Adorjan Family Foundation
Air Masters Corporation
Ameren Missouri
American Express/Members Give
Austin Machine Inc.
BKD, LLP
Ballmann Family Foundation
Elizabeth E. & Joseph H. Bascom Charitable Foundation
Theresa Belding
bioMerieux Inc.
Bitrode Corporation
Boeing Company
Cardinal Steel Supply, Inc.
CARSTAR St. Louis Business Group
Russell E. Cayse
Chelar Tool & Die, Inc.
City of St. Louis Community Development Administration
Richard P. Conerly
Designs For Tomorrow, Inc.
Charles W. Disbrow, II
Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers
Dennis D. Dvorachek
Ehrhardt Tool & Machine Co.
Emerson
Emerson Process Management Instrument & Valve Services
Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
French Gerleman Electric Co.
Fresh Ideas Management, LLC
Nance and Alan Frost
Lou Fusz Automotive Network
GKN Aerospace Services
Edward Chase Garvey Foundation
Clifford W. Gaylord Foundation
John R. Goodall Trust
Hammerts Iron Works
HBE Corporation
Heidtman Steel
Home Builders Association
Hunter Engineering Company
Interco Charitable Trust
JM&A Group
Pamela B. Jackson and John R. Bush
Robert and Doreen Jaudes Charitable Fund
Laclede Gas Company
Lanny Lamont
Oliver Langenberg
Mary Ann Lee
Lewis Pumps
John Allan Love Charitable Foundation
MARS Motors & Armatures, Inc.
Mascal Electric, Inc.
Maverick Technologies
Midwest CMM Services
Edward L. Monser
James R. and Mary Moog
National Science Foundation
Nu Way Concrete Forms Inc.
Overhead Door Company
Patterson Mold & Tool
Pettus Foundation
J. Jeffrey Pitts
Red Bud Industries
William Rueckert, Jr.
Stan Shoun
Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
Elsie St. Cyr
Robert W. & Elizabeth Staley
Stupp Bros., Inc.
Sunnen Products Company
Albert E. Suter
The Saigh Foundation
Tomara Corporation
Tool Specialties Company
Trio Foundation of St. Louis
Tubular Steel Inc.
U.S. Department of Education
US Bank
Valent Aerostructures
W.R. Persons & Associates
Walker Precision Machinery, LLC
Joseph D. Wibbenmeyer
John M. Wolff Foundation
Jill E. Wood
John E. Wood
The Herbert A. and Adrian W. Woods Foundation

Should you wish to join this list of our many friends in the community by giving a gift to Ranken, go to our giving pages and click the donate button in the upper right. Any size gift will help programs, scholarships and general needs of the college.

A Walker Hall Review

It's been a while since my last entry and I wanted to take some time to get you caught up on life in Walker Hall. We have been busy with classes and fun. Since the weather has given more nice weather, residents have taken advantage to see the St. Louis area and hang out. Residents are hanging in Forest Park, the Delmar Loop and taking in St. Louis Blues Hockey games!

We have had some fun activities from huge Halo games, Brain Teaser Scavenger Hunt, Geek Week, Birthday Celebrations, Civil Rights to Human Rights Movie Week and we to the movies at the Galleria Mall. I always tell residents that life at Walker Hall is what you make it. There is much more fun to come. Check out some pictures of events and my funny residents. Our Facebook page has even more pictures.

Have an awesome day,

LaTrina

Your Dorm Mom