BECOME PART OF OUR FAMILY

   By Douglas R. Johnson, Recruiter
   Hobart Institute of Welding Technology

Since 1930, some 84,000 plus individuals have completed welding training at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.  There must be thousands of success stories and probably millions of lives have been affected in one way or another by those who trained here.  This special issue of The World of Welding, entitled “Where Are They Now?” is dedicated not just to those mentioned, but to all former Hobart students who have met their own personal goals.  However, meeting the following two individuals inspired me with the idea for this issue:

In April 2000, I was standing at a bus stop in Chicago during the American Welding Society convention, when a man looked at the logo on my shirt and said: “I attended the Hobart Welding School back in the 70’s.” 

I quickly asked, “Has welding always put food on the table?”

His reply was simply put, “I’m next years President of the AWS.”  (His name is, of course, Richard Arn.) 

Well, that said it all and it got me thinking, “I wonder how successful other Hobart graduates have been?”

Then, in August 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Ted Kozma of Branchville, New Jersey stopped by the school to reminisce.  Ted attended the “Hobart Trade School” in 1948 and went on to complete a very successful 35-year welding career.  You can read a very enjoyable article about Ted in the Winter 2000/01 issue of The World of Welding.  His visit made me think, “Just how many lives has this trade school touched?”

We hope you enjoy the stories we have collected for this issue.  After reading them you may say to yourself, “Heck, they could’ve done a story about me!”  Please keep in mind this is just a sample of a myriad of possible stories.  If you have time, write your story of welding success or adventure and send it to us, with pictures if possible.  We will do our best to include you in a future issue.

As a professional recruiter, I am constantly seeking opportunities to increase enrollment here at the Institute.  I see one now and I’m going to take advantage of it.  If Hobart has affected you life in a positive way over the years, please take a minute to give a little back.  Tell someone else your story.  Tell them how it started at Hobart.  Encourage them to call me so that I can help them be like you.  I will schedule a tour with them and show them our facility, discuss financial aid options and job placement.  If they can’t come in for a tour, I will send them a promotional video, which will serve as a “virtual tour.”

Anyone who completes training at the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology becomes part of a family.  It is a very large and very proud family.  If you are already a member, sit down and share a story with us.  If you want to become part of the family, there is always an empty place setting waiting just for you at our table.