The Raymond C. Dunlavy Scholarship award for 2006 is presented to Joel M. Mathers of Altoona, Iowa.  Joel, the son of Danny M. Mathers, is a graduate of Southeast Polk High School, Runnells, Iowa, and attended Des Moines Area Community College and Iowa State University.

Joel tells his own story best.  He says, “A welder was actually one of the last things that I thought that I would ever be when I graduated from high school.  There was so much pressure on everyone to go to a big university or college; it made me think that the only way to be successful was to get a four-year degree.  It was as if I was pushed into it.  So I did what almost everyone else did and I went to Iowa State University.”

“When I was up there,” Joel continues, “I asked myself, “Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life?  Sit behind a computer in my own little cubicle?  I couldn’t see myself doing that.  About that time, I saw in the paper that John Deere was hiring.  I quit college, put in my application at John Deere and waited for a call.”

About two weeks later, that call came and Joel, along with about 20 others, was hired. 

“On one of our first days,” Joel explains, “one of the managerial staff asked if any of us had ever had manufacturing welding experience.  Only about four people stepped forward.  I had taken the tour of John Deere with my class and welding looked like it would be so much fun.  I was disappointed that I wasn’t going to be a welder and that I was going to end up being an assembler.”

“Later that day,” says Joel, “the same guy who took the list of people came back.  He had lost the list of names of the four welders.  This time, he asked if any of us had any welding experience at all.  I had welded in high school, so I raised my hand this time.  Ever since that day, I have fallen in love with welding.  Work doesn’t feel like work to me.  The days go by so fast!  I just put my helmet down and go to work.  I have found a career that I was pulled into… not pushed into… and I love it!  John Deere has granted me a leave of absence to attend Hobart Institute.”

Tim Creasman, Team Leader, 3^rd Shift Operations at John Deere Des Moines Works, says, “When Joel was under my supervision, he produced all weldments to the standards required and rarely had defects in any of his welds.  Joel never hesitated to move to any tough assignment or help his team and never complained when asked to do more.  Joel’s interest in welding and pride in his work continued to show through, night-after-night, here at John Deere.”

“It is evident that Joel enjoys the field of welding,” Tim continues.  “He has a proven record of accomplishment in producing the finest agricultural equipment in the world.  His desire and experience will benefit him in any future educational opportunities that come his way.” 

“I have the option of returning to John Deere after graduation,” explains Joel, “knowing my Hobart education will open more job advancement opportunities.”

The Raymond C. Dunlavy Scholarship is one of several scholarships offered each year by the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.  The Hobart Institute does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or age.  Applications may be obtained from the Institute web site at http://www.welding.org/scholarship.pdf or by e-mail from hiwt@welding.org or by calling 1-800-332-9448, ext. 5215 or 9937-332-5215.