What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

Ranken Supporting Wounded Warrior Project

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Thousands of wounded warrior and caregivers receive support each year through WWP programs and services designed to nurture the mind and body and encourage economic empowerment and engagement. WWP began when several veterans and friends, moved by stories of the first wounded service members returning home from Afghanistan and Iraq, took action to help others in need. What started as a program to provide comfort items to wounded service members has grown into a complete rehabilitative effort to assist warriors as they recover and transition back to civilian life.

Ranken’s own Sergeant Robert Killoren is organizing a golf tournament fundraiser in support of WWP. Sgt. Killoren is active duty and a student in the BSAM program. The tournament is scheduled for August 4, 2012 at the Sunset Hills Golf Course and will consist of 4-man teams. Cost is $400 per team and includes all green fees, food and beverages. Other activities will include a break glass challenge, a celebrity drive hold, a putting competition, a 50/50 drawing, a silent auction and a hole-in-one challenge.

The College is sponsoring a team for the tournament as well as donating a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded. All students, staff and faculty are invited to be on the team as well as forming other teams. To join Ranken’s team, contact Pat Capps in the president’s office.

If you or someone you know would like to help with the event by sponsoring a hole or donating items for the silent auction, please contact Sgt. Killoren at (314) 669-4787. The event also has a facebook page at http://fb.com/supporttheirsacrifices.

 

RCDC Receives Excellence Award

Pictured L-R: John Wood, Ranken’s vice president for student success; Betty Krump, ATEA executive director and Dr. Larry Moser, ATEA president.

In January 2012, Ranken was informed that the Ranken Community Development Corporation (RCDC) had been selected to receive the American Technical Education Association’s (ATEA) 2012 Outstanding Technical Program Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize an outstanding technical program at a postsecondary technical education institution that is exemplary and contributes to the nation’s workforce. Requirements of the award include, cutting-edge instruction, a knowledgeable and active advisory committee, and involvement with local business and industry.

At the end of March, Ranken’s Vice President for Student Success attended ATEA’s National Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi to receive the award. Congratulations to all of the faculty, staff and students who are involved in RCDC on receiving this award!

 

 

Perpetual Chaos Competes in St. Louis Regional Competition

The robotics team at Gateway Institute of Technology was one of the first in the area to begin competing in the FIRST Robtics Competition when it made its way to the area in 2001. Gateway teachers, Frank Dressel and Charlie Blair have spearheaded Team 931 (Perpetual Chaos) for more than 11 years with support from Ranken’s PMT and Welding departments. Both programs provide materials as well as students who provide machining and welding services for parts and repairs. Tom Ely, PMT department head and PMT instructors, Gwain Marron and Wes Biermann all provide the team mentoring support and help to coordinate the creation of parts for the robots. Emerson Manufacturing is the team’s primary financial backer.

"Tom has been with this team from the very beginning," said Stan Shoun, Ranken’s president. "We can’t thank him and his department enough for the support they provide to this team."

The 2012 competition season began in January at a kickoff event where this year’s "game" was revealed. The team then had six weeks to complete the robot to play the game which met all of the weight and height requirements. On March 24, Perpetual Chaos, which is made up of 30 high school students from the St. Louis Public School District, competed at the St. Louis Regional FIRST Robotics Competition held at Saint Louis University. The team finished in 10^th place out of 43 teams and earned the Xerox Creativity Award for an innovative design highlighted by a weight transfer mechanism on their robot.

This year’s robotics challenge was Rebound Rumble_SM. Robots competed to shoot as many basketballs into hoops as possible during 2-minute, 15-second matches. The hoops were at three different heights each with different point values. Each round began with the robots operating independently of the drivers for 15 seconds. Each basket scored during this period was worth extra points. For the rest of the match, the robots were driver-controlled as teams tried to maximize their score by scoring more baskets. Each match ended with the robots trying to balance on pivoting bridges in the middle of the playing field, earning extra qualification points. After seeding matches, teams formed alliances prior to the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final round.

The FIRST organization’s mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Perpetual Chaos, which is open to all teachers, students and adults within the St. Louis Public School District, annually competes in two regional competitions, performs at the Science Center, and is the only Robotics Team in the St. Louis Public School District.

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.

RCDC Program Wins National Award

Recognizing a need for housing in the community it serves, Ranken established the Ranken Community Development Corporation (RCDC) in April 1994. The program combines the technical skills of its students and faculty with the need for affordable housing, enhancing North St. Louis City's neighborhoods.

Through the RCDC and their required curriculum, students receive hands-on experience in the construction and renovation of single-family homes. The non-profit organization has built more than 50 homes to date. For each house, students and faculty members from Architecture, Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical and HVACR use their skills to build houses in the neighborhoods surrounding the College. Once the houses are completed, they are sold at affordable prices. Proceeds are then used to build more homes and involve future students in home building projects.

The program has evolved over the past 17 years and has had to grow and change along with advancements in construction and technology. Just as most business and industries are looking at ways to become more "green," RCDC continues to look for more environmentally-friendly building techniques.

The program has started participating in Energy Star home inspections by Applied Science Energy Ratings (ASERusa) in order to learn how to build more energy efficient homes.

"We started participating in these inspections for many reasons," said John Wood, vice president for student success. "One is that in the long run it saves our future home owners money to heat and cool their home. It is also a great learning tool for our students who will be able to go out into the work force with this knowledge and potentially teach their employer these new building techniques. Overall, it's just the right thing to do."

This past year, RCDC has continued to stay up-to-date on the latest energy efficient building techniques. The program has started using advanced framing techniques that involves two-foot framing centers, which minimizes material usage and waste. On one of the homes being built this year, RCDC used a product called the Superior Walls System, which are precast concrete walls made with steel rebar, making them stronger than traditional foundations. The walls, which come pre-insulated and include features like built-in accesses for wiring and small plumbing, stud facing for easy drywall installation and custom openings for windows and doors, are more energy efficient, sustainable and environmentally-friendly. RCDC has also started using the ZIP System roof sheathing and wall sheathing, which are structural panels with built-in protective overlays that eliminate the need for housewrap or felt forever. Siding and roof covering can be installed directly on top of the panels.

In recognition of their innovation and the use of cutting-edge technology, Ranken's RCDC program was recently awarded the 2012 Outstanding Technical Program Award from the American Technical Education Association (ATEA). The award will be presented at their National Conference on Technical Education held in Biloxi, Mississippi at the end of March.

ATEA promotes the advancement of postsecondary technical education and the intent of this award is to recognize an outstanding technical program at a postsecondary technical education institution anywhere in the U.S.

Congratulations to all of our students, staff and faculty who have made this award possible!

Join the Texting Trend

Prefer to text? Would you like to donate a gift via text? Donations to Ranken Technical College can now be made via your cell phone. Text RANKEN to short code 20222 to donate $10.00. You will also have to respond 'yes' to a gift confirmation text and you will receive a text confirmation of your gift within minutes. Your donation will appear on your cell provider monthly invoice which serves as your receipt. Give as many times or as many months as you would like. 

Messaging and data rates may apply. You can unsubscribe/opt out at any time during your text gifting process by texting STOP to short code 20222 or text HELP to 20222 for help.

As a donor your privacy is important to us. You may review our privacy and confidentiality policies here http://www.ranken.edu/development/giving-ranken/privacy-confidentiality.  

"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.

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."

 

RCDC Working on Energy Star Rating for New Homes

On December 5, Ryan Bennett from ASERUSA performed preliminary inspection of the two new homes being built on Evans Avenue for the V2.5 Energy Star rating.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

Ranken began partnering with the EPA last year. Through this partnership RCDC agrees to affix an ENERGY STAR label on homes that are independently verified to meet program guidelines and to build at least one ENERGY STAR qualified home every 12 months to maintain their partnership. Through the Partnership Agreement process, the builder also selects a Home Energy Rater to work with to qualify their homes.

RCDC had to submit the architectural plans to their home energy rater for review and analysis. The rater looked for key information on the plans and helped them choose the best combination of energy–efficient features to ensure that the home will earn the ENERGY STAR label when constructed.

Throughout the construction process, the rater will perform a number of inspections and diagnostic tests to verify the proper installation of the selected energy–efficient features and overall energy performance of the home.

When Bennett came to the site to check the installation of wall insulation he commented that the RCDC students had done a better job than he usually sees with most professional installers.

"When these homes are sold, the new owners will enjoy lower energy bills from now on as a result of the work that our construction students are doing today," said John Wood, vice president for Student Success.

"This Energy Star rating means that the heating and cooling bills will be 1/3 less than that of the average American home built today."

 

Ranken Sponsoring St. Louis' Arch Rival Roller Girls

Ranken is sponsoring St. Louis’s Arch Rival Roller Girls again this season! They’ve moved to a new and larger venue, the Midwest Sports Complex at Queeny Park, and this year’s championship bout will be held at Chaifetz Arena. Arch Rival Roller Girls, LLC (ARRG) is St. Louis’ first and only Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) certified all-female flat-track roller derby league. ARRG is made up of four local teams - The M-80s, The Rebel Skate Alliance, The Smashinistas, and The Stunt Devils. They also field two travel teams, our ARRG All-Stars and the Saint Lunachix.

On Saturday, December 3 Abe Brummett, admissions counselor, and Patsy Zettler, general education department chair, were Ranken representatives at the Arch Rival Roller Girls bout at the Midwest Sports Complex in Ballwin, Missouri. After the first bout, when the Smashinistas beat the Rebel Skate Alliance (RSA) 123 to 103, Abe and Patsy posed for the above photo with Ginny Beastly of the RSA and Shimmy Hoffa of the Smashinistas. The next bout will be Saturday, January 14, 2012.