What's Happening at Ranken Technical College

Student Ambassadors Celebrate Graduates

Last week Ranken’s student ambassadors took time to celebrate the members who will be graduating this weekend. At the last meeting of the semester held on Tuesday, May 1, each graduate received a bronze medallion that will be worn during the commencement ceremony. Congratulations to the following student ambassadors on their graduation:

Back L-R:

Christian Mudd (EAT/CST)

Jeremiah Brummel (EAT/CST)

Kyle Laine (EAT/CST)

Bronson Miller (ACR)

Eric Heckman (ART)

Randy Fields (INT)

Abdullah Matteuzzi (HVACR)

Front L-R:

Bill Sterner (EAT/CST)

Anthony McDaniel (EAT/CST)

Columbus Partee (EAT/CST)

Jamelle Johnson (ESDT)

Clay Williams (ACR) (not pictured)

The Spring 2012 Exceptional Ambassador Award was also presented. Congratulations to all of the ambassadors who were nominated:

» Katherine Bangert (IWT)

» Kyle Laine (EAT/CST)

» Marcus Chaplin (INT)

» Bryan Sohn (ART)

» Clay Williams (ACR)

 

　

This semester’s winner was

 

Kyle Laine!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate a student for this award.　

 

On Thursday, May 3 a group of 30 ambassadors went on the annual trip to see a Cardinal’s baseball game. Though the game was a loss, everyone had a great time hanging out and taking the day away from campus before finals week begins.

Thank you to everyone who has helped to support the Student Ambassador program this year. The program is accepting applications for the fall 2012 semester and will begin interviews the first week of school.

 

Fall 2010 Exceptional Ambassador Award is Presented To....

Recently the Officer Council of the Student Ambassador program asked members, faculty and staff to nominate ambassadors who they believed were exceptional over the past semester. The following ambassadors were nominated for the award:

- Anthony Doss (Electrical)                       

- Dennis Smith (Industrial Technology

- Brandon Flowers (Information Technology

- Asheligh Tepen (Automotive Maintenance)

- Kris Raines (Information Technology)

- Levi Cunningham (Precision Machining)

- Abdulah Matteuzzi (HVACR)

- Jacob Siemer (Industrial Technology)

- Tamara Trotman (Information Technology

- Cole Johnson (Information Technology)

- Matthew Warnecke (Precision Machining Technology)

- Eric Heckman (Architecture)

- Corey Bechtold (Electrical)

 
Congratulations to Dennis Smith who was presented with the Fall 2010 Exceptional Ambassador Award!

Smith is a second year Industrial Technology student, a member of Student Government, a student worker for Buildings and Grounds, president of Phi Theta Kappa fraternity and vice-president of the Student Ambassador Officer Council.

Chris Werner – Auto Collision Repair

 

At age 22, Chris did not come to Ranken directly from high school. But he quickly learned that he needed a solid educational base to begin his career. He graduated from Waterloo High School and is the second oldest of eight children. Chris is a first generation college student and he has made the most of it. He was elected Student Government President and was a top student, maintaining a position on the President’s List each semester.  Chris also did well in the Skills USA competition, placing 2nd in the state in the hands-on skills portion and 3rd on the written test. 

Upon graduation, Chris continued his education at Ranken by working toward his bachelor’s degree in Applied Management (BSAM). Chris is exceptional in the classroom and with extracurricular activities. He is also in the unique position of playing a significant role in raising and caring for his family. Chris said, “Ranken is important to me on several levels.  I have grown as a person and a leader and I know I’ll be the best prepared to begin my career. More importantly, it has allowed me to set an example for my brothers and sisters. My sister has already decided to attend Ranken in the Precision Machining department. I could not be more pleased.”    

Justin Flynn – Electrical Systems Design Technology

Justin Flynn graduated with his associate degree in Electrical Systems Design Technology. He, like most of his Ranken graduating class, is already at work in his field of study. He was able to choose among several electrical company job offers, allowing him to make decisions about the future and where he sees his career in five or ten years. In addition to his Ranken education he gained valuable work experience during an internship.  As a result of his drive and dedication he was able to hit the ground running at his new job.

Flynn came to Ranken Technical College from Festus High School where he played football. One of his high school friends had already started in the Precision Machining Technology program at Ranken and recommended the overall program. Justin said, “The College’s expectations for students and its focus toward hands-on training is why I decided to attend Ranken. I felt this type of experience would result in more opportunities upon graduation.”

John Hunn – Automotive Maintenance Technology

John graduated from Francis Howell Central in St. Charles County.  After graduating he worked a few different jobs but none offered the career he was looking for. He became interested in cars and went to a local auto dealership to ask about employment. He was told that all their mechanics had come from Ranken. His decision was made.  

John definitely enjoyed his opportunity at Ranken, and for the first time in his life, he looked forward to coming to school.  He became active as a member of student government, a student worker in the automotive division and a tutor in the Student Achievement Center.    

After two years, John graduated from Automotive Maintenance Technology. An instructor recommended him for a summer internship at Hunter Engineering, and that experience, along with the time he spent at Ranken, helped him decide to continue his education in automotive engineering. Ranken broadened John’s horizons and opened his eyes to even greater possibilities.

Jaryd Patton – Precision Machining Technology

During his two years at Ranken, Jaryd Patton established himself as one of the top students in Precision Machining Technology. 

He was very active on campus including tutoring fellow PMT students through the Student Achievement Center and serving as a resident advisor in Walker Hall, our first campus dormitory. 

Jaryd, from Jacksonville, Illinois, graduated in May of 2010.  

Ranken Volunteers Involved in Community Service

Team Ranken, made up of 27 volunteers including current students, new students, alumni, staff and families, joined Rebuilding Together in their national effort to clean up and repair homes in St. Louis. Team Ranken’s home, located on St. Louis Avenue in north St. Louis, needed some TLC inside and out.  

For eight hours on May 1, Ranken volunteers worked together to make an elderly man’s home safe, clean, and rain-proof. Tasks included cleaning windows inside and out, laying tile, hanging drywall, and painting walls and fences as well as installing soffit and fascia. 

Thanks to our Alumni Leadership Council members, Mike Schweiss and Brett Randoll, house co-captains, for purchasing the materials and overseeing job duties.  

Over 2,500 volunteers repaired 100 homes in the St. Louis area through Rebuilding Together, a not for profit organization located in Webster Groves. This project is held the first Saturday in May annually.  We hope to be together again next year and hope to complete two houses. 

 

Left to Right Back Row

Jeff Scott, Alumnus

Bryan Sohn, Student

Nathan Cheshire, Student

Brittany friend

Tim Willard, Staff

Jean Fancote, Student

Dana Freebersyser, Family

Larry Schmidt, Alumnus 

Judy Huster, Family

Don Huster, Alumnus

Left to Right Front Row

Chris Schweiss, Student holding Half Pint

Dan Dugo, Friend

Brian Freebersyser, Student celebrating his 20th birthday

Nick Wiltse, Student

Theresa Jansen, Student

Tim Lenger, Student

Carmen Willard, Family

Brian Kirkpatrick, Student

Scott Martin, Fall Student

Megan Krato, Student 

De-Stress Fest!

Tuesday Dec. 8th from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in G108 &109

TRiO Student Support Services will be hosting a De-Stress Fest!  This event will allow you to take a short study break and learn to De-Stress before finals with…

• Tai Chi
• Stress Reducing Foods
• Stress Management Presentation @ Noon
• Study Tips
• Brain Teasers
• Giveaways
• & More!!!

All students are welcome.

*Current TRiO students bring a non-TRiO student and get entered into a raffle!

Student Ambassadors Take the Day Off

On Thursday, April 19, Ranken’s Student Ambassadors traveled to St. Charles, Missouri to Demolition Ball/Adrenaline Zone for their annual outing as a "thank you" for their hard work throughout the year.

After being dismissed early from classes, the ambassadors
enjoyed a catered lunch followed by two hours of gaming. The activities included laser tag and demolition ball (an exciting combination of hockey, football, and polo that is played in bumper cars).

The student ambassador program is comprised of a dedicated and influential group of students who are passionate about Ranken and want to spread the word about their positive educational experience to prospective students. Ambassadors assist in a variety of activities including giving campus tours, planning campus-wide events, and helping the admissions office in a general capacity. Participating ambassadors can earn up to a $500 tuition stipend at the end of each semester. To learn more about the student ambassador program, please call   (314) 286-4809 or stop by the admissions office.