What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

Ranken Supports Local Robotics Teams

For more than 10 years, Ranken has been supporting robotics teams in local schools by providing resources such as lab time, machining and welding parts, donation of materials and student mentors. One such team is a FIRST robotics team from University City High School. Barb Bragg, Ranken’s STEM pathway development coordinator, used some of her grant money to help pay for some of the required materials for the team’s robot and much of the work was performed by students in the welding and machining microenterprises. The team competed this past weekend at The St. Louis Regional competition held at the Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University.

"We were really impressed by this team," said Vince Hotlmann, faculty project manager. "The adult mentors hardly intervened. The students came on campus, communicated their needs and stayed in the afternoon and evening to watch much of the work being performed. They asked a lot of questions and made decisions and changes as needed. It was a tremendous learning experience for the students."

Ranken students who supported the team included Cameron Monarch, Andrew Geldermann, Nicolas Goris and Benjamin Doty. Faculty and staff supporters included Jeffery Scott, Gary Young, Ben Wohldmann, Corey Blair, Paul Buneta, Brandon McLain, Tyler Blank, Vince Holtmann, Barbara Bragg and Don Pohl.

Ranken, along with Emerson, was also a founding sponsor of the FIRST Robotics Team 931 from Gateway STEM High School in 2001 and continues to support the team with the purchase of materials as well as the welding and machining of parts. Several faculty members and one machining student graciously donated their time, even coming in on a holiday to help complete the project. Supporters included Gary Young, Ben Wohldmann, Paul Buneta, Nicolas Goris (student), Barbara Bragg and Vince Holtmann.

"The parts Ranken made for us were right on and crucial for us to finish the robot on time," said Frank Dressel, coach for Team 931. "The keyway you broached in the coupling is vital to our Frisbee shooter working reliably and the rollers are key to our pole climbing mechanism. The parts Gary and Nick made for us on their day off  was the only way we could have got the hanging mechanism working by the deadline."

Team 931 also competed at the St. Louis Regional competition this past weekend and proudly displayed Ranken’s logo on their robot as well as in the pit area. Thank you to all of our faculty, staff and students who put so much time and effort into maintaining our partnership with these local schools and potential future Ranken students.

Ranken Classmates, 50 Years Later

by Ed Collier, Graduate of Mechanical Drafting 1962

(L-R) 1962 Classmates Jim Thornhill, Phil Freeman, Larry Leuck, Ed Collier and Delmer Williams in St. Genevieve, Mo.

Fifty years after graduating from David Ranken Jr. School of Mechanical Trades, I stood on the street corner on November 16, 2012 in St. Genevieve, Missouri, awaiting the arrival of four of my 1962 Mechanical Drafting classmates. I hadn't seen these guys for almost 50 years and was anxious to see them again after so long.

Jim Thornhill, one of my classmates, had contacted me to see if I could attend a reunion he was planning. Out of a class of thirty-two students enrolled in 1960, eleven graduated in 1962. He was trying to get as many classmates together as possible. Living in Amarillo, Texas, since 1974, I saw this 800 mile trip as a great opportunity to see my classmates and exchange stories of how all of our lives had unfolded. One by one, vehicles drove up with familiar faces but with a bit more maturity than I had remembered in the past. Five of us out of the eleven graduates travelling from Illinois and from all over Missouri were able to meet and spend some time together. I was happy to see Jim, Phil Freeman, Larry Leuck and Delmer Williams again.

We fell in conversation together again just like we had only left for the weekend. After a couple of hours swapping student life stories, memories of campus and our drafting instructor, Mr. Lane and lots of other stories of our everyday experiences, we began discussing our post-Ranken lives. It seems we all had similar experiences before and after Ranken. But what brought us together was that we had realized that we would need more than a high school education for a successful career. Each of us chose Ranken at a time in our lives when we were beginning to mature and take life seriously. It was this commonality of needs and similar interests that created our close student friendships. From the stories that were told, we learned that most of us had successful careers stemming from a broad range of academic courses, maturity, self-esteem and confidence we had all gained during our time at Ranken.

Larry Leuck attributes his career opportunities and flexibility to his Ranken training. He says, "The respect that local industry has for Ranken afforded me the flexibility to make job changes, and my Ranken trade skills extended in some fashion or another across my entire career." Larry retired from Shell Oil in Hartford, Illinois.

Delmer Williams noted that his education had opened doors for his first assignment as he moved through areas of tool design, plumbing design and fire protection work. Del continued use of his mechanical skills to build a successful career in engineering consulting. 

Phil Freeman got his start working as a draftsman advancing to project manager/designer at National Vendors where he worked for seventeen years. Moving to another company in Missouri, he took a position as Chief Engineer. Phil commented, "I feel that not only the education, but the philosophy we received from our schooling at Ranken taught us that knowing just enough to get by on whatever we were doing wasn't enough. We should want to know more and acquire a greater knowledge. The David Ranken School of Mechanical Trades and faculty were no-nonsense educators, you were there to get an education and a job in your chosen field and they wouldn't put up with anything else."
  
Jim Thornhill started his career working with Phil Freeman at National Vendors where he also had a long successful career in drafting and tool design before moving on to other areas of opportunity. 

My post-graduate career began as a technical illustrator at McDonnell Aircraft drawing for air and spacecraft parts catalogs and maintenance manuals. I moved to Emerson Electric in their Air and Space Division illustrating weapons systems. I retired as a systems analyst from Bell Helicopter Textron in Texas. I can also say that "The first fifteen years of my fifty-year career was worked in fields directly related to my Ranken training and the educational experience itself continued helping me throughout my long and interesting career."
 
Ranken training helped each of us find entry level jobs which we turned into long successful and varied careers. We all benefited from an improved sense of confidence and skills used to face our uncertain future, and as this reunion has shown us, helped us form some long lasting friendships. We are planning to meet again as time permits continuing our Ranken friendships but won't lose touch with each other again.

 

Ranken Technical College’s Precision Machining Program Receives Distinguished Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 1,2012  

COLUMBUS, OHIO—The National Council for Continuing Education & Training (NCCET) is pleased to announce that the Precision Machining Technology program at Ranken Technical College has received NCCET’s national exemplary award in the category of workforce and economic development. The purpose of these awards is to recognize outstanding programs and to promote replicable best practices regionally and nationally.

NCCET held an awards ceremony on October 16 during its annual conference in Reno, Nevada to recognize the award recipients. The primary design philosophy of the Precision Machining “Priming the Pipeline” program is to create a well-defined career path in which students are nurtured along the educational continuum from middle school and high school with career exploration and dual enrollment classes to college-level internships and eventually employment within a company while completing advanced educational program(s). The success of the program has resulted in an increase in the number of students interested in and exposed to STEM technologies and activities. Over 400 full and part-time machining students have been enrolled at Ranken since 2008; there are approximately 11 job opportunities per graduate available, and Ranken has been successful in placing 96-98% of all graduates in jobs in their field within six months of graduation.

Recently, Ranken was successful in securing a National Science Foundation grant which will be used to expand and enhance the scope of the program and increase participation.

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.

NCCET’s awards committee chair and immediate past president Darcy McGrath remarks, “Continuing education, workforce development, and community services are key areas that produce innovative programming for the communities that community colleges serve and that are able to produce quality programming quickly. Ranken Technical College’s Precision Machining Program is one of the programs that NCCET is pleased to recognize and showcase this year for its innovativeness, quality, and responsiveness to community needs.”

The National Council for Continuing Education and Training (NCCET) is committed to providing its members with benefits that keep them up to date on new trends, help maintain a personal and professional network, and give access to the latest leading-edge programs throughout the country. NCCET is the national organization for leaders in workforce, community, and economic development.For more information on NCCET membership and professional development in continuing education and training, go to www.nccet.org or contact the Executive Office at (888) 771-0179.

Manufacturing Day Brings Undersecretary to Ranken

U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco J. Sanchez visited Ranken Technical College today, to tour our technical programs and commemorate Manufacturing Day. Manufacturing Day is an annual event, designed to expand knowledge about and improve general public perception of manufacturing careers and manufacturing's value to the U.S. economy.

Mr. Sanchez enjoyed breakfast with the Ranken President Stan Shoun and then set off on a whirlwind tour of the campus, learning more about Ranken’s educational methods, our pipeline initiative, and our commitment to micro-enterprises.  After the tour Mr. Sanchez held a round-table discussion with local area business and community leaders, to discuss current trends in manufacturing, with an emphasis on increasing exports. The group discussed the perception of manufacturing by the public, as well as in the educational system, and ways in which involvement in manufacturing could be encouraged.

Other topics included current tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, ways to work with other countries to standardize regulations allowing for freer trade, as well as the importance of emerging new trade partners such as Brazil, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. He also pointed out how immigration reform can help to attract and retain new talent and entrepreneurs to the U.S., and help to grow the economy by creating new jobs.

Mr. Sanchez was impressed with Ranken’s facility, saying he was “blown away” by what he had seen. He particularly praised Ranken’s close industry ties, which help Ranken train students in exactly the skills employers were looking for.

“Why don’t we have Rankens in every state in America?” he asked, stating that he’d love to see the Ranken model applied nation-wide.

A Note of Thanks

Ranken wouldn’t be the institution that it is today without help from generous contributions. From January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012, the alumni, faculty, corporations and friends below gifted $1,000 or more for programs, equipment and scholarships. Any gift of any size is welcomed. We couldn't do it without you - thank you!

Advertisers Printing Company Inc.

American Express/Members Give

Anheuser-Busch InBev

Gertrude and William A. Bernoudy Foundation

bioMerieux Inc.

Boeing Company

Cardinal Steel Supply, Inc.

Chelar Tool & Die, Inc.

City of St. Louis Community Development Adm.

Classic Aire Care

Datotel

Charles Disbrow

Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers

Dennis Donnelly

Drury Hotels Company, LLC

EMS Group Inc.

Emerson

Enterprise Holdings

Fluke Corporation

John Henry Foster Company

Robert Gau

Goedecke Company Inc.

E. Reuben & Gladys Flora Grant Charitable Trust

Heidtman Steel

James Hoagland

Mary Ranken Jordan & Ettie A. Jordan Foundation

MB Steel Company, Inc.

Major Brands

McCarthy Building Companies

Michael McMillan

Mississippi Lime Company

Monsanto Fund

National Sales Company

National Science Foundation

Marianne Nothum

Pepsico

Jerry & Peggy Ritter

Rotary Club of St. Louis

Santie Oil Company

David Schepers

Seyer Industries Inc.

Drew Shands

Stan Shoun

Snap-On Industrial

Edith Spink Estate

Strait-Flex International, Inc.

True Manufacturing

Tubular Steel Inc.

U.S. Department of Education

 

First Students Join New Machining Micro-Enterprise

Pictured L-R: Jeremy Franklin and Ghregory Wellmaker. Not pictured: Nicolas Goris

Due to the success of the partnership Ranken formed with bioMerieux, the College established a new machining micro-enterprise last August, which began with the manufacturing of various parts for St. Louis-based Hunter Engineering. The cooperative has grown to include partnerships with other companies like Ehrhardt Tool and Machine, Triad Manufacturing and Kemco Aerospace. Like bioMerieux, Ranken students are hired and receive specialized workforce development training and education which results in an on-campus job as well as college credit. Unlike bioMerieux which is located in the Mary Ann Lee Technology Center, this new operation is based out of the Precision Machining department and is under the direct supervision of PMT instructor Ben Wohldmann. Both mico-enterprise partnerships fall under the Education and Manufacturing Cooperative department under the direction of Vince Holtmann.

Congratulations to PMT students Nicolas Goris, Jeremy Franklin and Ghregory Wellmaker who were the first to complete the 90 days of training and evaluation to become lean manufacturing machinists! In this position students are expected to ultimately take responsibility for ordering/receiving material, sawing, process design, programming, production runs, inventory control, quality control, and shipping of the product.

"This really is a win-win situation," said Holtmann. "Our students get the opportunity to apply the skills they are learning in shop in a real world work environment, Ranken has the chance to partner with great local companies which help provide equipment and become potential employers for our students and the companies find a cost-effective solution for having parts made without having to send the work overseas."

"We are really proud of the work our student workers are doing," said Wohldmann. "We are very strict about what goes out the door and they are meeting our high standards by ensuring only quality parts are shipped to our customers."

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.

Students Show Off Skills at State Competition

Over the weekend of March 30 - April 1, Ranken students who placed first or second in the Regional SkillsUSA competition had the opportunity to go to Linn State in Linn, Mo. to compete in the Missouri State competition. As in the past, Ranken students fared very well and 10 of them will be moving on to the National competition to be held in Kansas City, Mo. the weekend of June 25 -26.

Congratulations to all of our students who competed and to the first place finishers who will be moving on. Thank you to all of the faculty and staff who made the trip to Linn State to participate and support our students!

Architectural Drafting

Bryan Sohn 2nd place

Alexander Carter 5th place

 

Architectural Drafting Technical Information

Bryan Sohn 2nd place

Alexander Carter 5th place 

Automated Manufacturing Technical Information

Ian Wille 1st place

Blaine Mescher 2nd place

Jeremy Franklin 3rd place

Scott Martin 4th place

Nick Goris 5th place

Ghreg Wellmaker 6th place

 

Automated Manufacturing Technology (Teams)

Scott Martin 1st place

Blaine Mescher

Ian Wille

Jeremy Franklin 4th place

Nick Goris

Ghreg Wellmaker

 

Automotive Refinishing Technology

Katie Beck 1st place

Shawn Brummet 9th place

 

Automotive Service Technical Information

Lucas Klinkhardt 1st place

Josh Myers 3rd place

 

Automotive Service Technology

Josh Myers 1st place

Lucas Klinkhardt 2nd place

 

　

Carpentry

Ryan Faust 1st place

Joseph Len 5th place

Carpentry Technical Information

Joseph Len 2nd place

Ryan Faust 5th place

 

CNC Milling Technology

Matthew Warnecke 1st place

Jared Cheatham 4th place

 

CNC Turning Technology

Andy Schaefer 2nd place

Aaron Farrington 3rd place

 

Collision Repair Technology

Stephen Hayn 2nd place

Ben McLean 7th place

 

HVACR

Chris Duwa 3rd place

Jeffrey Thompson 4th place

 

Precision Machining Technology

Nick Moutrie 5th place

Robert Bindrim 6th place

 

Welding Fabrications (Team)

Tyler Doerr 1st place

Jeff Pope

Robert Thompson

 

　

 (Blue indicates moving on to the National competition.)

 

Pictured L-R: Stan Shoun, Ranken’s president, Vince Holtmann, faculty project manager for Ranken’s Education and Manufacturing Cooperative and Pat Mickle, BSAM director

On Tuesday, April 3 the Lincense Collector’s Office of the City of St. Louis hosted a "Manufacturing Industry Briefing" at City Hall. The event included presenters and exhibitors all focused on the manufacturing industry. Stan Shoun, Ranken’s president, Vince Holtmann, faculty project manager for Ranken’s Education and Manufacturing Cooperative and Pat Mickle, BSAM director, all attended the event to represent the College.

Presenters included representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce – U.S. Commercial Services, the U.S. Small Business Administration, St. Louis Development Corporation, St. Louis County Economic Council (Free Trade Zone), St. Louis Area on Training and Employment, the Missouri State Department of Economic Development and the Office of the License Collector.

Though the main focus was exporting, presenters also gave helpful tips on how to sustain and grow a business in these difficult economic times.

 

 

Machining Welcomes Students from Fort Zumwalt South High School

On the morning of Monday, March 26, 40 metal working students from Fort Zumwalt South High School in St. Peters, Mo. visited campus.

The event, which was coordinated by Admissions Counselor, Janet Ray and PMT Department Chair, Tom Ely, included a general tour of campus, a more in-depth tour of the PMT department and informational sessions with three local companies.

Ely invited representatives from local companies Patriot, Hydromat and Seyer to speak with the students about their companies and job opportunities in the manufacturing field.

"We invited these companies because they are all located close to the school and are big supporters of our program here," said Ely. "We wanted the students to have the opportunity to get some insight on the future of manufacturing as well as the career options that are available in their own backyard."

This is the second year that the PMT department has partnered with Fort Zumwalt South and there are plans to continue the event in the future.