Public Tours Whitko Career Academy
October 14, 2020 at 1:16 a.m.
Public Tours Whitko Career Academy
By Teresa [email protected]
While some of the spaces clearly remain classroom-like, they’ve been updated with new desks and seating arrangements. Recent construction projects have opened spaces to allow for the latest equipment to train students interested in learning a skilled trade.
The academy offers courses in advanced manufacturing, business education and marketing, construction trades, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, early childhood education, education professions, engineering and design, emergency medicine - first responders, health sciences, precision machining, welding technology and an agriculture curriculum featuring a show barn with livestock.
WCA students served as guides throughout the building during the open house tours.
The academy got a financial kick start with a $400,000 grant from the 80/20 Foundation, whose board members saw the potential the endeavor would lend to the future of manufacturing.
Earlier this year, an additional grant of $2,433,877, to be distributed over four years, was awarded by the foundation.
Nearly $1 million of the grant has gone toward machine and welding equipment and tools, including six CNC mill lathes, three CNC 3D printers, nine manual CNC lathes, engineering computers, a touch screen board, tool storage welding booths, plasma table, shop saws, six Lincoln welders, silver solder torchers and fume extractors and a welding fixture table.
Positions to teach agriculture, health care, cosmetology, agriculture maintenance and mechanical, precision machine, career, construction, engineering and maintenance, a machine shop aide, a work placement specialist and an administrative assistant are paid with $300,000 of the grant.
A final $1 million in grant funds has been directed toward site renovations, including an advanced manufacturing laboratory and entrance lobby to the advanced manufacturing lab, a tool crib, an engineering laboratory, welding lab, fabrication lab and corridor upgrades.
Following a ribbon-cutting and words of welcome, guests with tickets were served a catered dinner. The banquet was emceed by Tyler Bradshaw of Miami University, Ohio. Contributors and financial partners were recognized and honored.
The following individuals and organizations were recognized as instrumental to the formation and operation of the academy: Tim Nussbaum of the Bowen Center; 80/20 Foundation Director John Wood; Jacqueline Craft, WCA logo designer; Jason Wolfe, a welding-manufacturing advisory board member; Steve Trump, Chuck Trump and Mary Bolinger, of Northern Gasses; Nick Prentice, of Blue River Digital; Zach Kessie, of MKS Architect; and consultant Matt Dahms.
Georgia Tenney, Bill Patrick, Janie Fricke, Randy Doorsman, Steve Nicodemus, Walter Malicki, Bill McVay and the late R.V. Reed were named Wall of Honor inductees.
According to WCA literature, approximately 70% of the Whitko Community School students in grades 10 to 12 have chosen to take classes at the academy.
While some of the spaces clearly remain classroom-like, they’ve been updated with new desks and seating arrangements. Recent construction projects have opened spaces to allow for the latest equipment to train students interested in learning a skilled trade.
The academy offers courses in advanced manufacturing, business education and marketing, construction trades, cosmetology, criminal justice, culinary arts, early childhood education, education professions, engineering and design, emergency medicine - first responders, health sciences, precision machining, welding technology and an agriculture curriculum featuring a show barn with livestock.
WCA students served as guides throughout the building during the open house tours.
The academy got a financial kick start with a $400,000 grant from the 80/20 Foundation, whose board members saw the potential the endeavor would lend to the future of manufacturing.
Earlier this year, an additional grant of $2,433,877, to be distributed over four years, was awarded by the foundation.
Nearly $1 million of the grant has gone toward machine and welding equipment and tools, including six CNC mill lathes, three CNC 3D printers, nine manual CNC lathes, engineering computers, a touch screen board, tool storage welding booths, plasma table, shop saws, six Lincoln welders, silver solder torchers and fume extractors and a welding fixture table.
Positions to teach agriculture, health care, cosmetology, agriculture maintenance and mechanical, precision machine, career, construction, engineering and maintenance, a machine shop aide, a work placement specialist and an administrative assistant are paid with $300,000 of the grant.
A final $1 million in grant funds has been directed toward site renovations, including an advanced manufacturing laboratory and entrance lobby to the advanced manufacturing lab, a tool crib, an engineering laboratory, welding lab, fabrication lab and corridor upgrades.
Following a ribbon-cutting and words of welcome, guests with tickets were served a catered dinner. The banquet was emceed by Tyler Bradshaw of Miami University, Ohio. Contributors and financial partners were recognized and honored.
The following individuals and organizations were recognized as instrumental to the formation and operation of the academy: Tim Nussbaum of the Bowen Center; 80/20 Foundation Director John Wood; Jacqueline Craft, WCA logo designer; Jason Wolfe, a welding-manufacturing advisory board member; Steve Trump, Chuck Trump and Mary Bolinger, of Northern Gasses; Nick Prentice, of Blue River Digital; Zach Kessie, of MKS Architect; and consultant Matt Dahms.
Georgia Tenney, Bill Patrick, Janie Fricke, Randy Doorsman, Steve Nicodemus, Walter Malicki, Bill McVay and the late R.V. Reed were named Wall of Honor inductees.
According to WCA literature, approximately 70% of the Whitko Community School students in grades 10 to 12 have chosen to take classes at the academy.
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