What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

Students Participate in Annual RankCAN Competition

At the end of October, Ranken students, faculty and staff began collecting donated food items to kick off the 2009 Food Drive and RankCan competition. Once the items were collected, students formed teams to begin building sculptures with the food items around the theme, "Holidays," to enter in the creation portion of the event. The teams could select from any National holiday to build their sculpture around. The teams were judged on their sculpture as well as how many food items they collected. The winners were announced on Tuesday, November 17.

» Food Drive

- The Industrial Technology (INT) department donated the most total food with 5,523 items.

- The Programmable Logic Controls (PLC) team had the highest student-to-food ratio with 72 items per student.

» RankCan Sculpture Competition

- First Place was awarded to the INT team with their sculptures depicting the holidays of President’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans/Memorial Day.

- Second Place was awarded to the PLC team for their "Santa’s Army" display.

- Third Place was awarded to the HVACR team for their "Snowman" display.

Thank you to all of the teams that participated in this years event. The total amount of food items collected so far is 10,156 which is over 1,000 more than last year. The purpose of the annual food drive and RankCAN creations event is to help feed the hungry in the St. Louis area during the holiday season and to exhibit the technical skills of our students. Over the last 10 years, the Ranken food drive has resulted in over 65,000 food products being donated throughout the local community and Ranken students in need.

The first place teams receive a pizza party for winning the competitions.

To see more pictures of the competition, visit us on MySpace and Facebook!

Ranken to hold open house for new homes constructed by students

On May 2nd, Ranken Technical College will hold an open house to display the newest homes constructed by its students.

The homes, located at 4025 & 4033 Cook Avenue were primarily the work of second-year carpentry students, but also enlisted the help of Ranken’s Architecture, Plumbing and Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology students.  The open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will feature home tours and a backyard barbecue.

In the last 10 years, the Ranken Community Development Corporation has built more than 50 homes in the area surrounding the College.

"Ranken has always been recognized for going the extra mile, and the efforts of the Community Development Corporation strengthen that reputation," says Ben Ernst, president of Ranken Technical College. "It's rewarding for our students to apply the skills they learn in the classroom to the community just outside of our campus-and to see the positive effects their work has on the lives of others."

Ranken Assisting Local Veteran’s Association with Trailer Donation

Event to Be Held on Ranken’s Campus Wednesday

St. Louis, MO) On Wednesday, April 8th, Ranken Technical College will formally present the Veterans of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom Organization (VOIEF) with a 40’ trailer, which will be refurbished and used by their organization as a mobile kitchen.

Who: Ranken Technical College and the Veterans of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom Organization

What: Donation of a 40’ trailer, and press conference

Where: Ranken Technical College Campus, corner of Newstead and Page Avenues

When: Wednesday, April 8th - 1:30 p.m.

Details:  The VOEIF is an organization dedicated to serving as a “safe haven” to those veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom who may need assistance upon their return to the US. They plan to offer help with financial/housing needs of returning veterans, as well as offering assistance with clothing for job interviews, home furnishings and other items to help veterans assimilate back into their lives.

NOTE: Reporters, photographers and camera operators are welcome to cover the event.

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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 1-866.4RANKEN.

Ranken Technical College, Gateway International Raceway Continue Relationship

Ranken Technical College and Gateway International Raceway are pleased to announce that Ranken Technical College, a St. Louis-area institution of higher learning for more than 100 years, is continuing its partnership with the multi-purpose motorsports facility. Ranken will have a presence at GIR’s weekly drag-racing events as well as the two NASCAR races on the track’s 1.25-mile oval, the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 and the Camping World 200.

Ranken Technical College is a private, non-profit, degree granting institution of higher learning whose primary mission is to provide the comprehensive education and training necessary to prepare students for employment and advancement in a variety of technical fields.

Susan Flayer, Ranken’s director of marketing, said the relationship with Gateway International Raceway is a great fit for the college. "A partnership with Gateway International Raceway is perfect for Ranken, because Gateway's activities appeal to so many current and potential Ranken students.

"Naturally our automotive students are attracted to Gateway, but many students in our other 14 technical programs also have an interest in racing. Also, the activities at Gateway have applications in other fields such as Precision Machining, where students can learn to fabricate many of the parts that are used on race cars. We're very excited to let racing fans know how Ranken can help them turn their passion into a career."

GIR’s Vice President and General Manager, Lenny Batycki, agreed with Flayer, saying Ranken graduates have a bright future ahead of them thanks to the college’s reputation.

"As a member of different NASCAR and NHRA teams in the past, I can say with a high degree of certainty that Ranken graduates, due to the strength of the school’s curriculum, have the professional presence that hiring managers at the highest level of motorsports or any other career field are looking for.

"We’re very proud to not only continue our partnership with such an esteemed academic presence in our area, but to know we’re helping its students prepare for their future in the workforce."

For more information on Ranken Technical College, visit them on the Web at Ranken.edu. To learn more about Gateway International Raceway and the more than 200 events it hosts annually, go to GatewayRaceway.com.

Ranken Announces New Partnership with St. Louis Public Schools

“Fresh Start” Program Participants to receive Scholarships

(St. Louis, MO) Ranken Technical College announced today a new partnership with the St. Louis Public Schools, (SLPS) offering scholarships to participants their “Fresh Start/In It 2 Win” program. In cooperation with Missouri State Representative Jamilah Nasheed, Ranken has been meeting with representatives of the program, and recently pledged to offer scholarships to as many as 50 qualifying public school students.

Fresh Start/In It 2 Win allows students who have dropped out of school to complete the requirements for a high school diploma in one year. To qualify for the new scholarships at Ranken, students must complete the program and earn their GED, then pass Ranken’s admissions tests. Students must then apply for all applicable federal and state financial aid. When those resources are exhausted, Ranken will step in to make up the difference, removing the price barrier for those students who otherwise qualify to attend the College.

Ranken President Ben Ernst said “These are hard-working students who demonstrate a clear desire to succeed, and the aptitude to do well at Ranken. By removing the last remaining financial barriers to their success, we hope to encourage many more of these students to seek degrees from our highly-successful technical programs. We know that with the right support, these students will go on to have successful careers in technical fields.” Ranken hopes to have the first eligible students begin classes for the spring semester in January of 2009.

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 1-866.4RANKEN.

ART Participates in MAGIC summer camp

Missy Borchardt, a faculty member in architectural technology, and Annsih Serud, a current architecture student, participated in the Mentoring A Girl In Construction (MAGIC) camp this summer. MAGIC summer camp is designed to offer high school girls the opportunity to learn about the various avenues of employment for women in the construction industry.

The girls also receive hands-on training in the basic skills of carpentry, electrical, and welding. During this one-week day camp the girls make new friends, learn new talents, and explore career options that they have might not have ever considered. They are also introduced to successful women working in all phases of construction.

The girls, clad in their pink hard hats, participated in various projects throughout the week to give them a hands-on look at what its like to work in the construction industry. The week included an overview of safety on the job site, participation in a hand and power tool demonstration, creating a lamp to take home and a field trip to a job site.

Missy and Serud were among the five guests who were invited to speak to the girls about what its like to be a woman in the construction industry. “It was rewarding to see these young girls have an interest in our trade and pursue a great opportunity into the trade”, says Missy, “It was also a great opportunity for us to network with other female professionals”.

To learn more about MAGIC summer camp and to see a video of the girls completing their projects, visit their website at http://www.mowit.org/mentoringagirlinconstructionsummercamp 

Channel 11 covers Ranken's RCDC Open House

CW11 news came to Ranken's open house last weekend and covered the event - watch the video at the link below.

Ranken Technical College recently sponsored the construction of two new homes in North St. Louis. A group of students enrolled in the school's construction program built the homes. "We actually buy vacant lots, we build brand new houses on them and then we sell them to help beautify the neighborhood," said Donald Pohl, Ranken Technical College.

Ranken Volunteers in the Community - Cole Elementary

Students from Ranken Technical College recently participated in a volunteer carpentry project at Cole Elementary School. Front row, from left, are Student Government Association Adviser Jared Piel and students Andrew Bridges, Jake Phelps, Joe Puglisi, Jason Schoemehl and Mariam Thompson. Back row, from left, are students Chris Bunch, Mike Ehrenstrom, Derek Kopp, Brian Hay and Jacob Shuster.

Open house to be held Saturday at homes built by Ranken students

Program provides affordable housing in north St. Louis

WHAT
Ranken Technical College’s Ranken Community Development Corporation Open House

WHEN
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday (May 3)

WHERE
4015 & 4019 Cook Ave. (near Ranken Technical College)
St. Louis, MO 63113

DETAILS...

Electrical Division Hard at Work!

Sal Francis's class is hard at work on their RankCANstruction. Can you guess what "famous landmark" they're building?

What's YOUR class doing?