Alumni Winter 2017 Newsletter

Morrison Tech Alumni Newsletter

SMALL COLLEGE...BIG OUTCOMES Winter 2017

Morrison Tech Innovation Center

Features 

Innovation Center

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Forbes List

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Meet the Class of 2019

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Featured Alumni

Calendar of Events 

Feb 18 Campus Visit Day

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March 3 Campus Visit Day

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March 20 Blood Drive

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April 28 Spring Graduation Ceremony

Morrison Tech, a leader in the engineering tech educational field, announced today construction of an 8000 square foot Innovation Center on campus. This Center will bring together regional businesses, entrepreneurs, artisans and Morrison Tech students, providing them a place to create with equipment that they might not have easily available to them. “The center will foster collaboration and creativity, it will be a place where ideas are explored, discoveries are made and dreams are pursued.”

Morrison Tech President Chris Scott stated.

The facility will work to meet regional workforce needs and support strategic growth for this region’s small to medium manufacturers, as well as entrepreneurs.

The Center, the largest of its kind in Illinois, will be comprised of several individual areas to bring ideas to life. A feature of the structure is a large assortment of additive manufacturing equipment and traditional equipment. The Center will take Morrison Tech’s vast knowledge and experience in additive manufacturing (3D Printing) and expand the equipment and possibilities even further, making it possible to print parts of nearly any size or shape. The Innovation Center will have it all; cutting-edge additive manufacturing equipment, a robotics and electronics labs, CNC equipment, a construction technology lab, traditional manufacturing equipment, woodworking and metalworking equipment, welding equipment, forging equipment and casting space (both cold and hot). The diversity of offerings will merge to provide almost limitless op-

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tions for users of the facility.

Built to serve four primary clients, the center will foster collaboration and ingenuity. Students, businesses, artisans, and entrepreneurs alike will benefit from a place where ideas are explored, dreams are pursued, and discoveries are made.

Morrison Tech Students: One of the strongest attributes of Morrison Tech Students is their hands-on experience.

This facility will move those experiences to a higher tier. Students will have hands on access to state-of the-art equipment and have the ability to network with professionals in the field. Students would also have the opportunity to address actual design problems for partnering companies. The Innovation Center will allow students to bring concepts and creations out of the classroom and into the real world.

Regional Business and Industry: Businesses that need assistance with their current production or wish to bring a new product to market will be able to utilize the facility to do just this. The ability to produce prototypes, small production runs, tooling set up and make use of a testing facility is readily available to them. Technical assistance will be available, as well. The Center will help companies cut design time, save on specialized product or components and potentially expand without investing millions into equipment. In short, the Morrison Tech Innovation Center will give the companies the tools to be more competitive and profitable in today’s changing business climate.

where the child’s curiosity and wonder come together with hands-on exploration. The informal environment promotes the learning of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Morrison Tech is proud to bring the Maker Method; Plan - Make - Play to Morrison Entrepreneurs: Startups will be able to and the surrounding areas. bring their ideas to the market place with The manufacturing industry is constantly the aid of the facility. Design work and evolving and the Center will help supaccess to needed equipment will be port continued growth, foster developimmediately available. Morrison Tech ment and job creation as well as also has the experience and expertise to strengthen the positive impact that manassist with prototyping, manufacturing ufacturing has on the local and state processes, and material choices.

Artisans: The Innovation Center’s equipment serves a dual purpose. The equipment may be exactly what an artisan needs to cultivate their vision. Individual space will also be available for the artist, allowing them room to grow. This element of the Center will be constantly advancing to fit the interest of individuals and the community.

In addition to providing working space, equipment and knowledge to the consumers and students, Morrison Tech is working in partnership with the Morrison Area Development Corporation, The Morrison Chamber of Commerce and the City of Morrison to explore the possibility of a gallery or storefront display for those to sell their design

A Community of Success Robert Heardy (1988) 

Senior Engineering Technician with Crawford, Murphy, & Tilly Inc.

Derek Hobbick (2017) 

Drafting Tech with Orbital ATK

Chad Collins (2003) 

Engineer Tech II with City of Moline

Christopher Schumacher (2004) 

Designer with Vizient Manufacturing Solutions

Jeffrey Redenius (1981) 

Sr. Project Manager with Traf-Tex Inc.

Jon Loquist (2006)  economy.

Clyde Gibson (2010)

You may learn more about this addition to the Morrison Tech campus by visiting their website at https:// www.morrisontech.edu/innovationcenter/ The estimated cost to complete this project is $750,000. Morison Tech has funded the costs through grants and loans. If you wish to help support this project please contact, Mr. Christopher Scott at (815)772- 7218 ext.212. or visit the college website at https:// www.morrisontech.edu/giving/gift/ Morrison Institute of Technology is a 501 (3c) non profit organization and all

work.

The Center will allow all who use it to work together, brainstorm on new ideas and technologies. Ideally this will be a place where industry, entrepreneurs and artisans can share ideas and techniques.

Another very distinctive and exciting feature to the structure is a Children's MakerSpace. A MakerSpace is about donations are tax deductible. teaching children to think for themselves, to think creatively. and to look for do-it-yourself solutions. It is a place

Senior Mechanical Engineer with Rubicon Technology

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Technician CAD & Drawings with SSAB Iowa Inc.

Pete Ring(1981) 

Sr. Project Manager with K Friese & Associates

Kevin Myers (1997) 

Senior Piping Designer with CB&I

Jeff Kinkade (1984) 

Engineering Analyst with Exelon Generation

Steve Voelz (1984) 

Project Engineering Manager with Custom Fabricating and Repair, Inc.

Calynn (Druce) Cook (1985) 

Sr. Electrical Engineering Specialist with CBI

Kevin Peterson (1982) 

Sr. Program Manager with L3 Technologies

Teresa Kupiec (2017) 

Clinical Systems Analyst with Decatur Memorial Hospital

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Mike Ratcliff (1983) 

Meet the Class of 2019

Facilities Specialist with State Farm Mutual Insurance

Eric Hemminger (1987) 

Steel Detailer with Dixie Metal Products

Mark Krum (1995) 

Owner of Krum Kreations

William Carson (1976) Learl McDonald (1977) 

Civil Engineering Technician with Illinois Dept. of Transportation District 2

Joel Jones (1987) 

Residential Designer

Jeff Kinkade (1984) 

Engineering Analyst with Exelon Generation

Alisha Balinger (2000) 

Advocate with Quanada

Andy Riggen (2014) 

Technology Support Specialist with Morrison Community School District

Paul Van Kampen (1986) 

Interior Designer

Anthony Dunn (2010) 

Drafter with Eagle Completions

Brian Hedgren (1994) 

Senior Project Manager with Russell Construction

Tamara Hedgren (Workman) (1994) 

On Monday, August 28th, 2017, Morrison Tech welcomed their largest class in ten years. This year brought an enrollment growth of 70% to the prior year.

This class holds a breakdown of; 52% Mechanical Engineering TechFive Karate Black Belts, Three Eanology, 21% Construction Engineergle Scouts and one magician are ing Technology and 27% Network among the Morrison Tech Class of Administration. This will also be one 2019. The new students come from of the first classes to benefit from 45 different high schools and three the Innovation Center. Construction states. Among those, 12 are attend- of the center has begun, and is ing as relatives of a Morrison alum- scheduled to be up and running in ni. First generation students – those the spring of 2018. who are the first to attend college in Beyond these stats, of course, are their family – account for 49% of the real people – young adults looking class. As a class, they have visited to change their and others they 48 out of the 50 states. We also meet lives and impact their world in have a family divided…47% Cubs a positive way; they are people with fans and 44% Cardinal fans; which determination, integrity, and makes for an interesting environdreams. ment!

The Class of 2019 has only been on Fifty one Percent of this class has campus a semester but it is already an ACT Score above the state averclear that they will make their own age, 72% volunteer in service ormark on Morrison Tech!

Factory Manager with John Deere

Dennis Shepard (1973) 

Total Station Operator with Tri City Electric

Pete Ring (1981) 

Morrison Tech Alumni

GIS Administrator with Muscatine Power & Water

Cody Sinderman (2014) 

ganizations, and seven have chosen to attend college while raising children

Sr.Project Manager with K Friese & Associates

Share your Success Story Become a Featured Alumni on the college website. https://www.morrisontech.edu/alumni/

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Carla Bush (1988) 

Drafter with CDI

Dock Hutson (1990) 

Integration Engineer with Riverside Medical Center

H Sean Shilling (1989) 

Solution Architect with H Shilling

Dale Voelz (1979) 

Director of Engineering with Borroughs Corporation

Mark Swanlund (1977) 

Delivery Coordinator with The Home Depot

Aaron Peterson (2007) 

Morrison Tech Named In Forbes Top 30 Two—Year Trade Schools Forbes Magazine has put Morrison Tech on their list of Top 30 Two Year Trade Schools. The article discusses addressing the current skills gap that is plaguing our country's workforce. It also discusses how some 2 year schools like Morrison Tech, have a higher return on investment than others. We would like to thank Forbes Magazine for the honor!

Skyler Mccombs (2017) 

Design Engineer with Farrar Scientific

John Sweet (1978) 

Project Surveyor with HLR

Wayne Anderson (2004) 

Morrison Tech Alum Turns Inventor

Professional Land Surveyor with Lin Engineering

CAD Designer with Shaw Industries

Jerry Erzinger (1984)

Elliot Worth, a 2013 alum of our Network Administration  Resident Technician with Illinois Dept. of Transportation program, has been very busy since he graduated from Morrison Tech. Elliot continued his education at Mark King (1991) Illinois State University to complete his bachelor’s de Owner of MAK Decorating gree in Information Technology. Due to the partnership between Morrison Tech and Illinois State, transferring Elizabeth Hunter (1990) his credits was seamless.  Civil Engineer & Planner with Snyder & After graduating from Illinois State, he was able to Associates quickly land a position with the IT department for John Kooken (1986) McLean County. Elliot (along with a partner) has also launched 2 products. The 1UPcard is a device used to  Drafter with AT & T clean retro video game cartridges and consoles, and the sobrietycoin app that is Nic Johnson (2000) used for tracking sobriety from habits and addictions.  Project Technician with City of Davenport They are currently working on bringing a 3rd product called Toilet Timer Tommy.

This device is a 5 minute hourglass inspired timer meant to help people spend less time procrastinating in the bathroom. Elliot and his partner Adam Stephey have launched a Kickstarter campaign to find the resources and support they need to make the Toilet Timer a reality. The creators work in cubicles by day but are entrepreneurs by night, creating “interesting products for interesting people.”

We would like to wish them the best of luck!

Fred Johnson (2014) 

Drafting Manager with Astec Mobile Screens

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Morrison Tech over the last 10 years.

Much has happened to Morrison Tech within the past 10 years. Progress has been made both aesthetically and technologically.

Rambo Building. The Rambo building also had all paneling removed, bathrooms relocated, new classrooms built, the learning resource center was relocated to an entirely different wing of the building and a new physics lab was constructed. Science lab tables were bought from the closed Tampico High School and refurbished. The physics lab now offers gas, water and electricity to each station.

In 2007 the college took a large undertaking on by building a new Administration Building. This building is 8000 sq. ft. and houses the Administration Offices, two IT Labs, a 350 seat Auditorium. The building has a cathedral ceiling, a small waterfall that lands into a koi pond and comfortable seating for all to enjoy.

In 2016 the Admissions department was moved into the Rambo building.

Shortly after the finish of the AdminisAn Office and conference room were trative Building came the remodels of built specifically for Admissions and Classroom’s 206 and 215 in the tech student prospects. With this the encenter. The first of many classrooms tryway to the Rambo center was reto have the paneling removed! Both habbed. A beautiful tile wall was addclassrooms received two large LED ed along with a TV that carries informonitors .The Lecture halls 104 & mation and events going on within the 105 in the Tech Center were remodcollege. New furniture was introeled as well and outfitted with permaduced to the lobby recently. A cenent lecture hall style seating and ment top table was constructed at the TV’s. TV’s were placed in all classcollege and placed in the foyer. It rooms thru the years. remains a focal point of the entryway Along with the aesthetic improveIn the midst of all the change, next ments the hardware was improving as came The Barn. The old orange well. The college brought in I-fiber walls and seating booths were torn while a Prototype Lab was in the early out and replaced with a new contemstages of development. A what type porary look. Within days the barn of printer ?3D printer, plaster based, was unrecognizable. New carpet, was the first to be introduced into the ceiling lights, several TV’s, Pool talab. The lab currently houses 15+ 3D bles, ping pong table, darts and an printers, several CNC machines area to lounge in and watch TV. The (mills, router, laser), injection and barn still houses a small fitness room blow molders, sheet metal crimpers, as well as the laundry facility. casting equipment, drill presses, sanders…

The Odey Residents Hall did not go untouched! A new glazing was comQuickly, the entire Tech Center repleted for the Atrium and new furniceived an update. All of the paneling ture was purchased for the dorm was removed, sheet rocked, painted rooms recently (The furniture for each and new carpet laid down. The restudent consists of an armoire, desk, sults; an entirely new modern buildbed and shelves) ing!

Next on the list for renovation was the

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The students will return to remodeled Cunningham (Admissions), AJ Dandorms and new furniture in the Fall of ielson (Admissions) and Giana Wat2018. kins (Admissions Asst).

The exterior of the college was also enhanced. New signage was designed and produced on campus and clearly placed for visitors to see.

Landscaping has been constantly improved. A new fire pit and sand volleyball court were built; and the students have used these regularly!

Many concrete based projects that have been created on campus can be seen around the exterior of the college; including – Japanese lanterns and benches.

Though all of this growth is monumental, it pales in comparison to what comes next, the Innovation Center.

The Center broke ground in early January and will be up and running by August (2018). The center will have it all. Cutting edge additive manufacturing equipment, robotics and electronic labs and a construction technology lab. Traditional manufacturing equipment, wood working and metal working equipment, welding equipment and casting space (both hot and cold) will come together to provide limitless options. The center is built to serve four primary clients. Students, businesses, artisans and entrepreneurs alike will benefit from the structure.

Alongside the growth and advancement, the college has received notoriety in many publications. The most prominent was that of Forbes Magazine. Morrison Tech was ranked number 19 for the top 30 trade schools in Through there have been some the nation by the periodical. changes in the last few years, much of the staff and their dedication to the Many of you may have noticed that students has remained constant. the college has adopted a new name.

Vicky Slaymaker, Butch Vandershaft We have recently shortened Morrison and Judy Turney have all retired, and Institute of Technology to Morrison the college thanks them for their many Tech. Even though the name became years of excellent service and wishes a little smaller the college has not. them the best. Instructors that have During the transformation we remain remained with the college are Bob who we are, a family.

Cox (IT), Jason Long (CAD), Jan You may have noticed the saying Drosopoulous (CAD), Scott Connelly “small college..big outcomes” on (GenEd), Jim Prombo (GenEd), Greg many of our recent materials. We feel Tully (Admin), Richard Parkinson this perfectly sums up what happens (Admin) and Chris Scott (President) here, we have a large collection of are still a vital part of the faculty and Alumni doing great things that all staff. started at our small college. A special New employees have also arrived at thanks goes out to you, our Alumni, the college. Lisa Kramer (FinAid), Da- for creating a college where everyone na Verdick (Registrar), Chris Krum may gain success. We are proud of (Business Office), Sara Bush (Gen the achievement and improvements Ed) Kerry Kennedy (Gen Ed), Mike that have happened this last decade Hall (CAD), Chad Welchel (Materials), and would love to share them with you Jodie Eaker (Admissions), Melodee - please stop by at anytime, the

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Morrison Tech 701 Portland Ave Morrison, Il 61270

815.772.7218 ph 815.772.7584 fax www.morrisontech.edu

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Innovation Campaign Every Gift matters.

Morrison Tech counts on alumni participation every year. Your investment allows the College to continue providing a more personalized and hands on educational experience for all our students.

Please Consider a Gift this year.

Visit www.morrisontech.edu/giving to learn more.

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