2003 UpdaTE
Welders
Without Borders
Extraordinary
outcomes occur when members of the welding industry team up on
behalf of students. Such was the case at Arizona
Western College in Yuma on April 15th when top
leaders in welding joined together the day.
With the help of Miller
Electric Manufacturing Company’s Nic Peterson and Don
Peterson, Professor Samuel Colton organized this year’s main
campus “Welders Without Borders” event.
Over 300 students and Instructors from area high schools
in Arizona and Northern Mexico participated in technical
presentations and weld demonstrations. Opening ceremonies included a warm welcome from the Consul of
Mexico in Yuma. Joining
in support of the program was GySgt. Shawn Rawls of the United
States Marine Corps welding school at Aberdeen Proving
Ground, Maryland. Professor
Colton met GySgt. Rawls last year in Chicago at the American
Welding Society Show during the educators program. During this meeting an invitation was extended to GySgt.
Rawls to participate in this years event.
In
addition to Miller Electric Company, other industry leaders who
participated included Lynn Bailey President of Rankin
Industries, Rob Cox of R
& B welding representing Arc
Machines Inc, David Sanchez of Lawson
Products, Larry Miller and Jeff Shively of Thermadyne
and the San Diego-based College
of Oceaneering as well as the local Miller distributor,
WestAir, of Yuma. Information
about opportunities at the Hobart Institute of Welding
Technology was provided to the students attending.
Dr.
Scott Danielson, Department Chair, participated representing Arizona
State University. ASU
is presently completing development for a Bachelor of Applied
Science Degree in materials joining.
Traveling
from Peru, South America was Jorge Merzthal Toranzo director of
the welding division of EXSA Corporation based in Lima, Peru.
As one of the largest Miller equipment distributors in
the Americas, EXSA Corporation donated three Miller 304 XMT®
inverters to Arizona Western College as part of a joint venture
with the college. EXSA
and Arizona Western College will be working as partners in
education in the years to come, exchanging students and faculty
to promote welding on two continents.
This
summer AWC student Mike Loether will travel to Peru for a
pipe-welding course at the EXSA Welding Technology Center in
Lima. Professor
Colton will be presenting a S.E.N.S.E. based course in Southern
Peru. Arizona
Western College President Don Shoeing, Ph.D. will also visit
Peru to exchange ideas with members of higher education there.
This
years “Welders
Without Borders” program also drew video participation
from Nigeria. Mr.
Derek C. Isu heard about the program through the Hobart
Institute’s previous publications and provided video of
welders working in Nigeria.
Mr. Isu and Professor Colton had been working to organize
a summer program in Nigeria.
However world events prevented this from becoming a
reality this year.
The
program has drawn attention from other regions.
Professor Colton is able to provide informational support
to other school districts that would want to organize a
“Welders Without Borders” event in their area.
The goal of the program is to allow members of industry,
education and government an opportunity to come together and
create an extraordinary day for students, allowing them
opportunity to meet and see the people who make the welding
industry successful. Our
future as an industry, a nation, and a world will be found in
the youth of every country we visit.
The
program finished with a signature performance by the Arizona
Western College jazz band and folkloric dance.
Efforts will be underway to make contacts that will allow
Professor Colton and other educators who would wish to join him
in providing welder training to the people of Iraq. Professor Colton is looking for support to make this a
reality and thanks the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology
for their support in bringing news of this movement to the
industry.
You
can contact Professor Colton through the Arizona Western College
home page at www.azwestern.edu
or samuel.colton@azwestern.edu
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