The May 10^th graduation class at Edison Community College in Piqua, Ohio, included two Hobart Institute alumni.  Kelley O’Brien obtained an Associate of Technical Studies Degree in Welding Technology – Manufacturing Option.  Kelley is employed as a welder at Enginetics in Dayton, Ohio, where she is gas tungsten arc welding InconelsŇ, HastelloysŇ and stainless steel for aerospace and jet engine applications.  She was a scholarship recipient at the Hobart Institute in 1999. 

Mike Waller earned an Associate of Technical Studies Degree in Welding Technology – Management Option and a certificate in basic human relations.  Mike completed his Hobart Institute training on May 19, 2000, and is employed at NK Parts. 

“I now have the ability and the education to work into a supervisory or managerial role in welding,” says Mike.

Associate of Technical Studies Degree enables both Kelley and Mike to accept increased responsibility as they obtain experience in their workplaces.  They were among the last students to receive this particular degree at Edison Community College.  Beginning in the fall, Edison will replace that program with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Welding Technology.  A maximum of 11 (semester) credit hours from Hobart Institute may be applied toward that degree after graduation from Hobart, if a student has achieved average or above grades. 

Several more Hobart students and graduates are looking forward to participating in the welding technology program at Edison in the coming months in what becomes a “win-win” situation for both the students and their employers.  The increased focus on welding in the technical science program at Edison is a direct response to demands of industry coupled with the efforts of Jim Hannahs who is the Welding Technology Department Chairman.

Jim notes, “There is a need in industry for welding technicians who work as part of a team in support of engineering activities.  Technicians may work for welding engineers, manufacturing engineers, and others, or, in some cases, serve as the plant welding engineer.  Welding technicians get involved in testing and improving welding processes and production, procedures and equipment.  Welding Technology graduates will hold titles such as welding technician, welding supervisor, welding inspector and welding sales engineer.”

Jim also commented, “Students in the Welding Technology program receive a unique blend of manual skill training in the major welding processes and technical classroom training.  The technical classroom training is structured to provide education that prepares the student to pass the AWS Certified Welding Inspector exam, the AWS Certified Welding Technician exam, and the AWS Certified Welding Educator exam.  Students learn all the material joining processes as well as materials technology and many subjects associated with welding technology.”