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Retired Army Veteran Shifts Gears Into Automotive Technology
RETIRED ARMY VETERAN SHIFTS GEARS INTO AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Lake Land student Todd Walker retired from the Army after more than two decades of service. Now, Walker has returned to the Automotive Technology program to learn the skills he diligently watched his father use to work on cars during his childhood.
“I didn’t learn a lot of the technique from holding the flashlight,” Walker said with a chuckle. “It’s really neat to learn from the instructors here, just knowing that they’ve got decades of experience between them. When I need that expertise and insight, I know I can ask them and they’ll have the real-world knowledge to share with me.”
Walker also faced the challenge of having lost his hearing and having subsequent cochlear implant surgery to allow him to utilize an electronic device to hear. He had just moved back to the area and begun searching for schools when he came across Lake Land in his search.
“Lake Land was my first choice,” Walker said. “To be honest, Lake Land has continuously exceeded my expectations for what I thought they would have to offer. Getting started, everyone was super helpful in making things seamless and easier. Danielle Downs in the veteran’s office was awesome, and I just greatly appreciate everything everyone has done to help me get here.”
Walker said though he faces unique challenges in the classroom and auto shop lab, Automotive Instructors Kevin Miller and Brian Madlem have been extremely accommodating to their students’ needs.
“Our program is well equipped, and we have access to the tools and resources we need to learn,” Walker said. “Having a device to rely on for 75% of my hearing has definitely been challenging, but Kevin and Brian have been awesome about getting us all involved in hands-on learning. That’s why we’re here; to learn stuff, and they help us do that in the way that works best.”
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Brian Madlem, Automotive Technology Instructor
Automotive Technology Instructor Brian Madlem had been working at dealerships for more than 15 years when he realized that the next step he wanted to take in his career was teaching others the skills he enjoyed using.
Now Madlem is celebrating 20 years at Lake Land College, and he said it is the best job he’s ever had.
“When you love your job, it doesn’t feel like work spending this much time here,” Madlem said.
Having maintained contact with many of his former students, Madlem said one of his greatest feelings is seeing his students find success.
“It’s so much fun to see the lightbulb come on in the classroom,” Madlem said. “I go over realworld situations with them, and they get to have that hands-on experience in the lab that makes a big difference in their careers later.”
Madlem said he enjoys hearing the different thoughts and perspectives students bring to his class and is open to constructive criticism.
“I actually was told about something that students felt could be done differently, so I changed the way I taught that,” Madlem said.
“I’ve worked and interacted with a lot of great people over the years who have helped me grow and become who I am, including students and colleagues.”
INTRODUCING TECH 2DAY
Automotive Technology, along with several other technical programs, is excited to announce TECH 2DAY, a new program structure allowing students to complete a program in two years by going to class only two days each week.
The reduced class schedule makes it easier for students enrolled in TECH 2DAY programs to work and go to school at the same time, and some programs give students the opportunity to complete lab hours to earn credit hours at their workplace.
To learn more about TECH 2DAY visit lakelandcollege.edu/ tech2day.
TRANSPORTATION AREA OF STUDY
Auto Mechanic
Automotive Technology
Commercial Truck Driver Training
Transportation Exploratory Area of Study
LEARN MORE
For more information or to get started in a Transportation Area of Study visit lakelandcollege.edu.
