Have you registered for winter quarter yet? There's still time. Registration remains open and classes begin January 2 (evening classes) and January 3 (day classes).

REMEMBER, the College is closed from December 23-January 1, reopening on January 2. Online registration will not be available between December 22 and January 2 due to a system upgrade. So register NOW!

Construction on the student services area is proceeding well. The project will reconfigure the students services area for better customer service and improved traffic flow.

The "residents" of the offices in the student services and student development areas are temporarily located in A102, the Community Room. This includes admissions, financial aid, career services, transfer advising, and EOC.

The "new and improved" student services area is anticipated to be open and running when students return to campus in January.

Congratulations to a familiar face in a new position. Kristin Runion has been name assistant director of admissions. She previously was the coordinator of the OACHE program, working closely with the admissions department.

Kristin is a graduate of Marietta College and is currently working toward her master's degree. Her office is in the student services area.

By Jeri Knowlton

Andrew Strickler, a sophomore at Washington State Community College majoring in design drafting, was recognized for winning the Technical Scholarship award of $1,500 from the Ohio Rural Electric Cooperatives. The scholarship is awarded to one college sophomore who is currently enrolled in a technical school and has worked during the summer or part time for one of Ohio’s 24 Electric Cooperatives.

“I was just in shock. I seriously didn’t know what to say when they awarded me the scholarship,” said Strickler who had forgotten about applying.

During the past summer, Strickler worked at Washington Electric Cooperative, Inc. as a mapping technician. He was responsible for the preparation of maps using the AutoCad format. He then printed the maps for use by the Cooperative’s employees and contractors.

Robert W. Ziegler, general manager and chief executive officers of Washington Electric, commends the community college for its technical programs. “This was our first experience with having an intern and Andrew’s knowledge and abilities exceeded our expectations,” said Ziegler.

Because of the success Washington Electric had using a Washington State intern, they plan to expand their use of interns to areas of accounting and information technology.
“Our two most recent hires have completed degrees at Washington State in areas of electrical engineering and accounting,” Ziegler said.

Strickler believes both the educational and intern experiences are a valuable part of creating the skills needed within the profession. “I never dreamed it was possible to get a scholarship out of this. I just thought I’ll go to school, graduate and get a job. It’s turned out to be so much more.”

The scholarship will help Strickler who, upon completing his associate’s degree at Washington State, plans to transfer to Kent State University to complete his bachelor’s degree in architecture.

Washington Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative serving over 10,300 accounts in portions of six counties in southeastern Ohio. Washington Electric is one of 24 electric cooperatives in Ohio and over 900 electric cooperatives in the nation.

(as featured on the College Web site)

By Jeri Knowlton

The stellar performance of graduates of the auto and diesel program at Washington State has created a win-win situation for current and future students and for Fyda Freightliner, a truck dealer and service provider.

The College was approached by the freightliner dealership because of the quality of employees they have been able to recruit from the auto-diesel program, said Mike Palmer, instructor.

Attrition and aggressive growth in the diesel truck service market has created a need for quality technicians, and, according to Gary Tiffan, general manager for Fyda, Washington State produces a “better quality student.”

“The reason I like Washington State Community College instead of some of the technical schools is that when students leave there they have an associate’s degree. That means they have gotten all of the English, math and science in addition to the technical skills they will need. Other programs may turn out not as well rounded a student,” said Tiffan.

The industry has changed immensely over the years with more computer based skills needed in addition to better communication skills, both written and verbal, being required by the employer. Fyda has five service locations in Ohio and Pennsylvannia requiring 125 service technicians.

The need for technicians created the Fyda Freightliner Elite Technician Program, a partnership between the company and Washington State to train select technicians at the college in Marietta, Ohio. The new partnership is a wonderful opportunity for those interested in a long-term career within the auto diesel industry.

“They have come to us because of the reputation of the program,” said Palmer. “They do the recruiting for trainees, give them the opportunity to work and go to school at the same time by offering a flexible schedule, and the potential to be a full-time employee upon completion of the degree program.”

Tiffan says, “This is a win-win situation. Washington State gains more students outside their normal recruiting area because we recruit students within 45 to 60 minutes of our service locations. We gain quality technicians, should they decide to stay on with us that we know have a quality education.”

Robert Alig, first year student from West Liberty, Ohio, says evidence of continued growth in this field and the potential for a good wage lured him into the industry.

“As a student I start at $10 an hour and after I graduate from the program it pays even more,” he said.

Upon graduation, positions with Fyda as a technician range between $13 and $15 an hour.

“Students get real-life, on-the-job work experience and they get paid,” said Palmer. “In the day-to-day operations, highly motivated students will be assigned with technicians, exposing them to all aspects of the service operations.”

The real-world experience coupled with a strong academic program was a selling point for James Laverie, first year student from New Springfield, Ohio.

“The teachers are awesome. They know the industry and they know how to explain things in great detail.”

Alig agrees, “If you don’t get it one way, they explain it another.”

According to Laverie, help is a commodity in abundance at Washington State. “Everywhere you look there’s someone willing to help you.”

An added incentive, besides the educational program and the potential for long-term employment, is the essential tool program. While Fyda does not offer tuition reimbursement, approximately $2,000 worth of basic tools will be provided to the student and are theirs to keep upon successful completion of the program.

“It’s easy to have $100,000 worth of tools in your tool box. Every little bit helps you get started,” said Laverie.

Second year student, Brian Nethers, of Newark, Ohio, is looking forward to graduation and going to work for Fyda. “They are a real good company.”

Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 grade point average each quarter. Entrance into the program is limited to the number of positions open for the five Fyda facilities. Those interested in the elite technician program must go through Fyda’s hiring process and be accepted into the program. The process includes a background check and physical.

This story ran in the Parkersburg New/Marietta AM on November 12.