What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

IT Reunion Attracts Graduates

The Information Technology reunion held on campus during the fall Open House brought a diverse group of graduates back to campus. Graduates from several departments within the division and and varied career backgrounds in IT attended. Kynal Hester (Computer Technology 1993) made his first visit back since graduation. Kynal is currently an IT Technician at Ameristar Casino in St. Charles. 

Other career updates from a few of our guests:
Robert Hamm (IWT 2010) gave this update, "I work as a web developer at Scott Air Force Base for the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), a branch of the Army. I single handedly operate and develop the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD), which is the website used by all of the US government and military to calculate distance between locations. In addition, I am a contractor working from home doing web development for numerous companies in the St. Louis area."

Kyle Kinder (IT 2007) emailed these remarks, "I'm glad I came to the event. It was great to see all the changes and progress being made in the department. I'm excited for all the new things you have going on! I know the president mentioned that you are looking into starting a healthcare information path. I'm currently working at BJC, and although I'm no expert, I'd be happy to share some of the technologies I'm using and some of the things I see at BJC. My project is very closely related to the transition in healthcare from paper to digital."

Robert (Bobby) Chapman (IT 2007) is an engineer in data modeling for MasterCard and is responsible for designing conceptual, logical, and physical relational data models for applications and performs data analysis to ensure the integrity of Enterprise data.  Chapman remarked, "Thanks for inviting me to the alumni IT reunion. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed being back at Ranken and seeing everyone again. I'd be interested in attending a Ranken homecoming if you offered one."

Other updates received from IT grads who were unable to attend:

Andrew Fouse (IT 2007) in a recent email exchange with the Alumni Office sent this career update, "After graduating Ranken, I found a job with a local consulting company and quickly started taking on wireless projects. I began traveling the nation assisting in the design and roll out of multiple large scale wireless deployments. In 2008, I'd heard that a company named FusionStorm was opening an office in St. Louis and needed a wireless expert. I soon found myself building out FusionStorm's wireless practice and growing the wireless opportunities with enterprise level customers, most notably Apple. For the past 4 years I have been designing and deploying wireless networks for Apple, around the world. Just over a year ago, I was promoted to engineering management. I now manage a team of about 25 engineers who all travel globally to support all of our enterprise customers. I am proud to say that I have been able to hire three other Ranken graduates, who have all proven to be amazing additions to the team and am I working diligently to increase that number."

Alumni reunions are held throughout the year. The next alumni reunion is scheduled from 12:00 to 1:00 during the April 21, 2013 campus car show that runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All graduates are invited to attend. This is a great day to meet up with old friends, enjoy family time and check out the classic cars on display.

Senior Celebration

Its that time of year where all seniors and faculty start counting the days in celebration of graduation. All December 2011, May 2012 and August 2012 seniors are eligible to walk in the May exercise held at the Chaifetz on the St. Louis University campus. To celebrate, seniors pick up their caps and gowns, have light refreshments, and are provided with information about the alumni association, continuing education, class rings, and Bachelor programs.

250 seniors participated in the celbration event. Class pictures were taken and attendance prizes awarded. Thanks to Herff Jones for providing a $25.00 gas card, a scrapbook portfolio, book and book bag. Other prizes include tickets donated by the Gateway Grizzlies, St. Louis Renaissance Faire tickets and alumni polo shirts and other alumni items.The day was all about seniors and good wishes for a bright future!

This year, veterans are being honored with red, white, and blue chords like the traditional chords for Magna, Summa and Cum Laude grade point averages. Thanks to other Ranken departments Career Services, Trio Services, BSAM, Lois Ingram's photography class and Herff Jones for joining in and making this day EXTRA special for the graduates!

Pictures of the event and class pictures will be posted on Flickr.

"Rebuilding Day" Annual Community Service Event

Alumni and students are invited to participate in the national Rebuilding Day sponsored by St. Louis' Rebuilding Together organization. This day of giving back to the community by repairing, rebuilding and upgrading homes of the elderly, handicapped and low income in the St. Louis area will be held on Saturday, May 5 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Groups all over the country will be joining together to help others on this national day of service. This is the 3rd year for Ranken's involvement in this event and is a fun day supporting a good cause. Only a helping attitude, 25 workers and a house captain are required. Personal tools are a plus! Join us as we assist a homeowner near the Ranken campus and continue support of our neighbors.

Pictures of previous Rebuilding Days can be found at our Flickr Page.

Contact Kathy Fern, (314) 286-4895 or email ktfern@ranken.edu with your interest or questions.

Time To Nominate Distinguished Alumni!

It is time again for annual nominations for the Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Young Alumni Award to be presented at Ranken's May 12 graduation celebration at the Chaifetz Arena. These awards honor Ranken graduates who have excelled in their career and given back to their community. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2012. 

The criteria, nomination form and additional information can be found at  http://www.ranken.edu/alumni/honoring-our-alumni under Awards. Any questions can be answered by contacting Kathy Fern, (314) 286-4895 in the alumni office.

Recipients will receive a commemorative plaque and name inscribed on a perpetual plaque. 

Past recipients are Distinguished Alumni Earl Walker (2010) and Tom Wood (2011) and Distinguished Young Alumni are Andy Raines (2010) and Jeff Scott (2011).

IT Donates to Damaged Pike-Lincoln Technical Center

Photo L-R: Janet Ray, admissions counselor, Charles Corrigan, IT department head and Tom McCraken, Winfield High School principal.

Pike-Lincoln Technical Center (PLTC), located in Eolia, Mo., is an educational institution designed to offer career, technical, and community education to residents of Pike, Lincoln and surrounding counties.

The Technical Center began as an outgrowth of the need for vocational training in Northeast Missouri in the late 1960’s. PLTC is considered a showcase for technical training across the state and region. The Pike County R-III (Clopton) School District is the fiscal agent of PLTC but students attend from seven area schools including: Bowling Green R-I, Louisiana R-II, Clopton, Silex R-I, Elsberry R-II, Troy R-III, and Winfield R-IV. Adult students from the surrounding counties also take courses at PLTC in the day and evening.

On the evening of December 2, tragedy struck when a fire engulfed the main building of the school. Thankfully classes had ended and no one was in the building at the time of the fire. The schools newer Diesel and Automotive Technology Building was also undamaged.

It took a few days to assess the damage and create a game plan, but PLTC bounced back quickly and classes resumed on December 9 using the recently closed Clopton Middle School which is now the new site for the technical center.

On December 8, Tom McCracken, the principal of Winfield High School brought a group of students from PLTC to tour Ranken. During their tour they met Charles Corrigan, Ranken’s IT department head who presented them with several Cisco switches donated by the department.

"We have had a good relationship with Pike-Lincoln for several years," said Corrigan. "They are starting from scratch and this was the least we could do to help them get back on their feet."

 

S-STEM Students Visit Datotel

On November 16, the Information Technology S-STEM students took a trip to Datotel located at 710 N. Tucker in downtown Saint Louis. Datotel was founded in 2004 with the sole mission of reducing IT costs through optimal resource allocation, Datotel empowers companies with the services they need when they need it to keep their networks operational with 100% uptime. This is accomplished through expertise and service which generally consists of a combination of the following services:

» Cloud Computing

» Colocation

» Green Technology

» Infrastructure

 

While there, students met with Greg Daniels, a current Ranken student, who works in the Network Operations Center. Darin Warren, manager of sales engineering, Christian Tragesser an engineer and Adam Bundren a facility engineer also spent time with the students discussing Datotel’s history, the direction it is going and how work ethic is an important factor in hiring. The students were also given the opportunity to tour the entire facility.

"This was by far the best trip I have been on," said Andrew Varble, an S-STEM student.

Roger Mudd, another S-STEM student stated, "I really enjoyed the ability to see the inner workings of the company and not have someone just tell me about them. I also enjoyed when Adam showed us the equipment and what it was used for. By far the most fun I have had."

S-STEM is a grant funded by the National Science foundation, which awards scholarships to students majoring in INT, ART, IT and PMT. Part of the program includes funding for enhanced programs to help prepare students for careers in these high-tech fields, which include field trips, professional development activities and career services and counseling.

 

IT Hosts Hiring Seminar for Future Graduates

On Tuesday, November 15, Ranken’s Information Technology department hosted the Second Annual Graduation Summit given by Help Desk International (HDI). HDI is the world’s largest IT service and technical support membership association and the industry’s premier certification and training body. Guided by an international panel of industry experts and practitioners, HDI is the leading resource for help desk/support center emerging trends and best practices. HDI was started as a way for local businesses to share information and increase productivity. They provide members with a vast repository of resources and networking opportunities.

"Our local HDI chapter is made up of a lot of businesses who hire Ranken graduates," said Charles Corrigan, IT division chair. "So it makes a lot of sense for us to collaborate with them and host this event on campus."

The event consisted of several speakers who represented various local businesses such as Apex, Mastercard, Technisource and Enterprise. Presentations covered subjects like how to build a good resume, interview techniques, "selling yourself" to potential employers, working in the IT "real world", being a contractor versus an employee and current IT trends.

The event also included a question and answer session with a panel of IT professionals as well as a student testimonial by 2010 Ranken graduate Robert Johnston who is currently a contractor with Enterprise.

"This is such a great opportunity for our students," said Corrigan. "These are great companies looking to hire quality employees and they are taking the time to give our students insight as to what they look for when hiring. They are also getting "heads up" information about which companies have positions open and how to apply. We feel really lucky to have formed this partnership with HDI."

 

IT Instructor Using YouTube to Teach More Effectively

In today’s world, education and technology are constantly changing. In order to keep up and stay ahead of the curve, teachers are trying to find innovative ways to teach their students more effectively. One Ranken Information Technology (IT) instructor has done just that. Ashley Reddick who teaches the Operating System (OS) classes, is now using YouTube to upload videos that his students can use to practice what they have learned in class.

"With more people expanding their education and returning to school, our classes are really full," said Reddick. "It was becoming difficult to make sure I was giving all of the students the time they needed and answering all of their questions."

Students can now go to Reddick’s youtube page (www.youtube.com/user/Arreddick?blend=8&ob=5#p/u) to watch videos that walk them through lessons that have been covered in class.

"It helps students keep pace with the class at their own speed and it helps me focus more on the students who may be struggling in the class," said Reddick. "Not all people learn the same way. Some are kinesthetic learners, auditory learners, visual learners and some hybrids in the mix. As teachers we need to try our best to meet the needs of not just one type but all of them and I really think these videos do that."

Reddick graduated from Ranken’s IT program in 2008 and has been an instructor at the College for about two years. He and his wife have set up a scholarship fund called the Ashley and Destiny Reddick Scholarship which is a $1,500 scholarship awarded to a new IT student each year.

 

S-STEM Students Visit Savvis

S-STEM students from Information Technology and Architecture visited Savvis’ global headquarters in Chesterfield, MO on Wednesday, April 13. The group met with Spencer Gohre, senior recruiter and Ben Martin, director of technical operations and attended a 45 minute presentation learning about Savvis and how teamwork is integral to their success. The presentation was followed by a discussion on employment opportunities and program specific tours.

Savvis has been around since 1996 and is a global leader in IT infrastructure services with a platform spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Savvis is among the best in the industry in delivering IT solutions that enable customers to focus on their core business while Savvis ensures the quality of their IT systems and operations.

Cisco VP Visits Information Technology Class

 
 On Wednesday, April 6, Howard Charney, senior vice president and member of Cisco’s Office of the President and Executive Staff visited Ranken’s Information Technology program. Charney reports directly to Cisco CEO, John Chambers.

Charney was one of the four founders of 3Com Corporation and the founder of Grand Junction Networks. Grand Junction Networks is credited for inventing Fast Ethernet and switching. These technologies have been instrumental to the development of the internet as we know it today. In 1995 Grand Junction Networks was purchased by Cisco.

Charney toured the IT classrooms and spoke to the students about his experiences as an engineer and as the Senior Vice President of Cisco. He took questions from students which ranged from his personal life to new technologies that we are going to see in the near future.

"Mr. Charney’s visit was a great experience for our students," said IT instructor Alan Poettker. "For me it was really interesting to hear him talk about people we read about in our IT books as his personal friends. We were all really excited and grateful to have had him on campus."

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She plans to promote Ranken’s Summer Adventure Academy in her on-line newsletter. She also hopes to introduce the campus to additional elected officials and to champion our cause to the Missouri Department of Economic Development.