12 WCC CAMPUS VOICE - APRIL 25. 2001
Former studerit returns as instructor, finds changes in mactiining program
Chad Strickland, left, manipulates controls while machining program students Freda Tesseneer
(hidden by equipment), Brian McStay, and J.T Bum observe.
By CRYSTAL STRICKLAND
When Chad Strickland was
a student at WCC in the fall
of 1993 and enrolled as an
associate of science major, he
decided to take the summer
off because he was uncertain
of what he wanted to do after
college.
During his time away from
school he worked in a
machine shop in Smithfield
for about 3 months.
After this experience he
realized that he wanted to go
to school to learn more about
the machine shop.
He then tried to get into a
machine shop program at
Johnston Community College,
but he was the only one to
sign up for the course.
He decided to come back to
WCC where he graduated in
the 1 -year Machining
Program and was hired at
General Electric where he
worked for 5 years.
One day he got a call from
Paul Compton, a WCC
instructor who needed an
instructor to teach machining.
Strickland took the job and
he found the program had
changed greatly within the
past 7 years.
PHOTO: CRYSTAL STRICKLAPTO
Now students choose from 2
program options, a 2-year
associates degree for those
who wish to further their
education and a 1-year degree
for those who want to go
straight into the workplace.
When Strickland was a
student, the computers were
based on DOS. Now they are
more dependent on Windows.
The number of students has
also increased. Approximately
25 students are enrolled.
Strickland said the job
outlook, opportunities, and
pay in this field are excellent.
. The program is mostly lab
and hands-on. With the small
number of students enrolled,
instructors are able to spend
more time one-on-one with
students.
Students are allowed to
make tools for themselves as
a process of learning and
working with the equipment.
The newest piece of
equipment is the CMM.
which stands for Coordinate
Measuring Machine.
Its basic job is to inspect
parts of tools and other
equipment to make sure they
are correctly made after
manufacture.
The instructors are hoping
to have a class designed just
for the CMM.
Another piece of equipment
is the HAAS, which has
control simulation boxes that
allow students to run a
program on the simulator
before cutting a part of an
object.
Strickland said, “It's simple
to use and can be taught in a
• short period of time.”
The HAAS produces the
medallions awarded to student
participants in the Summer
Exploration Camp and the 2
putters given away during the
Golf Tournament which the
Foundation sponsors to raise
money for student
scholarships.
Those wanting more
information about the
machining program should
contact Strickland at
extension 299-
R. N. Rouse & Co., Inc.
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Since 1929