Over 70 Attend Welding Center Ribbon Cutting

ARCHDALE (August 12, 2011)

TOP: Participating in the ribbon cutting on Aug. 12 for Randolph Community College's new Welding Center located at its Archdale Center in Creekside Park, were (left to right) David Phillips, district manager for Duke Energy, which provided nearly $250,000 in grant funds to purchase welding equipment; Robert Leslie, RCC's dean of corporate and continuing education; Richard Wells, Randolph County manager; Robert Shackleford, RCC president; Ryan Regan, aide to Senator Kay Hagan; Pat Hurley, North Carolina House of Representatives; Bert Lance-Stone, Archdale mayor; and Daffie Matthews, RCC's vice president for administrative services. MIDDLE: Among those looking over the welding booths available in RCC's new Welding Center were Richard Wells (left), Randolph County manager; and Ryan Regan (right), aide to Senator Kay Hagan. BOTTOM: In his remarks at the ribbon cutting of RCC's new Welding Center in Archdale, RCC President Robert Shackleford (right) recognized the RCC maintenance and facilities staff including Perry Wallace (left) and Donnie Boling (center), who worked so hard to open the new facility. "Thank you for the yeoman's effort in getting ready for today, when it didn't seem possible," said Shackleford.

Approximately 70 local officials, community members, and college personnel were on hand Aug. 12 at the official ribbon cutting of Randolph Community College's new 5,700-square-foot Welding Center at the Archdale Center. New welding equipment for the Center was purchased through a $248,222 grant from the Duke Energy Community College Grant Program.

North Carolina Representative Pat Hurley was among the local officials present to hear remarks by RCC President Robert Shackleford; Archdale Center Director Lisa Bock; and David Phillips, district manager for Duke Energy. Others present included Trinity Mayor Carlton Boyles; Archdale Mayor Bert Lance-Stone; Randolph County Manager Richard Wells; Archdale City Manager Jerry Yarborough; Trinity City Manager Ann Bailie; Archdale City Council Member Tim Williams; Archdale-Trinity Chamber of Commerce President Beverly Nelson; Ryan Regan, aide to Senator Kay Hagan; and RCC Board of Trustees members Curt Lorimer, Lillian Jordan, and John Freeze.

Dr. Shackleford welcomed the group, noting that the opening "has been long anticipated. We have had over 195 students enrolled in welding at RCC for the last three years," Shackleford said, with 54 earning American Welding Society certification. Within the last two years, RCC has also hired its first AWS certified welding inspector and AWS certified welding instructor. Shackleford pointed out that, on Highway 311 between RCC's Asheboro Campus and the Archdale Center, he encountered a large sign at a local business that read, "Hiring Welders." "Even in this economy, this is a great option for students," he said.

In addition to its Continuing Education welding courses, RCC is introducing a one-year diploma program in Welding Technology this fall. Classes begin Aug. 15. The Welding Center includes a lab with 20 welding booths and 27 welders of various types, a classroom, a supply/storage room, and two faculty offices.

For more information on RCC's Welding Technology program, visit www.randolph.edu, or call 336-633-0200.