Some Assembly Required A MAGAZINE OF MORRISON TECH ALUMNI | SUMMER 2018
LIFE IS MADE UP OF MOMENTS. Not all moments are equal. There are big moments, like
marriage, children, choosing your employment‌ Small moments, where to eat dinner, which shoes to wear, do I clean the dishes now or later‌ Heavy moments, graduating college, moving away from home, losing a loved one. And wonderful moments, when your experience becomes expertise, and enthusiasm is tempered with wisdom.
At Morrison Tech, every moment is a chance. A chance to
appreciate and support those students that are here now. A chance to collectively change the world one graduate at a time. A chance to sit back in awe at what our Alumni have accomplished. Too often we take for granted the kind words you share, the pieces of advice you give, the support you have shown, and the distinction and honor with which you represent Morrison Tech.
We at Morrison Tech would like to share a few of these moments with you...
Sacramento District Corps of Engineers— Retired Project Manager
Kevin Roukey Class of 1971
The time I spent at Morrison Institute of Technology was a very important part of my career development. The fundamentals of practical applied learning of engineering technology that was available at that time was so key on providing the working knowledge that was significant in moving me forward throughout my career. Upon graduating from Morrison Tech, I worked for several different firms
Walker Processing, Aurora, IL Missman, Stanley and Associates, Rock Island, IL Rock Island District Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, IL Sacramento District Corps of Engineers, Sacramento, CA
I continued my education into Construction Management and merged it with Environmental Studies. This allowed me to cross over to natural resources. Along the way I held positions in Construction Management, Contract Administration, Resource Management and Project Management. These roles led me into supervisory positions. During my career I have had the opportunity to work on several large civil projects in the Quad Cities (IA/IL). However, the most exciting and unique project I was a part of was the Space Shuttle Launch Site at Vandenburg Air Force Base in California. I also have had the opportunity to work on a very controversial development project in Reno, Nevada. This project ended up going to the Supreme Court. Fortunately, we (the federal government), won the case. It was pointed out to my commander that one of the principle reasons we won the case was due to my detailed documentation of the issues that arose and my attention to facts regarding the project. I recently visited the campus of Morrison Tech and was amazed at the changes since my enrollment. At my time of attendance housing was in double wide trailers or the option of living in the Fraternity House. I chose the Fraternity House because of cost as well as the addition outside activities it offered. Our classroom was an arrangement of portable buildings linked together, the parking lot was gravel and the cafeteria was vending machines. There now is not a sign of the trailers or portable buildings that hosted the classrooms. Instead stand a two story dorm, the Rambo Building which houses the general education classes, a Tech Center where I found the newest cutting edge programs, an Administrative building and a Rec Center named “the barn”. Along the way Morrison added another program; Network Administration Despite the bare bones appearance of the college when I attended in 1970-71, the faculty was excellent along with the outstanding education I received. Again looking back on those days we had none of the technology that is available today but what we had was “state of art” for that time. I remember taking my first computer class there, Fortran. I can only imagine what a high degree of educational experience is being provided today. I am currently retired from Federal Service. I am consulting, working on many mining projects and conducting the environmental resources due diligence under NEPA (National Environmental Protect Act) for a client. I presently sit on the Nevada State Conservation Commission and am the District Director for the Washo-Storey Conservation District. I am always grateful to Morrison Institute of Technology for the base knowledge I received allowing me to obtain the many career positions I have held thus far.
United Contractors Midwest Superintendent
Benjamin Donovan Class of 2011
Morrison opened my eyes to all the various types of jobs within the construction industry and helped me determine which direction fit me best. Faculty and staff also encouraged me to further my education at Illinois State University where I received my Bachelors in Construction Management, but without the help and support that I received at Morrison Tech I wouldn't be where I am today. My experience at Morrison is probably very similar to several others who have attended over the years, Day one you move into a dorm with several strangers but by graduation day you have become part of the Morrison family, and more than likely you have made some lifelong friends. To me this speaks volumes about the school and their programs, compared to other schools where you see unfamiliar faces day in and day out. I felt at Morrison we were all a part of the same team and the staff went above and beyond to make sure everyone succeeded. I have been involved in several IDOT projects surrounding the Bloomington Normal area and recently received an IDOT Job of the Year award for one of my projects on Veterans Parkway in Bloomington. Currently I coordinating daily operations such as Asphalt paving and milling crews, Concrete crews, and traffic control and construction layout.
United Contractors Midwest Superintendent
Andrew Weller Class of 2009
I transferred to Bradley University after my time at Morrison, graduated with
an Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree. I then began my career at John Deere. I enjoyed the small atmosphere Morrison Tech offers, it is nice to have a more personal feel from professors and other students. I have implemented several major assembly lines and launched new products. I have had the opportunity to work with multi million dollar budgets to implement state of the art technology in our factories Currently, I work on implementing new combine harvesters into our factory. This includes capital planning, layout modifications, relocation of departments within factory and building experimental machines.
Fluidyne Corporation Vice President Engineering and Operations
Dennis Nelson Class of 1972 Immediately after graduation was employed in my hometown as a mechanical drafter at an agricultural company, where I continued to work for 7 years while being promoted to engineering supervisor and watched the growth of the company from 50 employees to over 500. When the agricultural market collapsed in the late 1970's I took a job as Manager of Engineering & Manufacturing at PenTech, owned by Houdaille Industries with its division located in Cedar Falls, IA and specialized in biological treatment systems using jet aeration technologies. When that division was sold to its only competitor, myself and 4 other individuals started our own company in 1981 called Jet Tech, Inc., located in Olathe, KS, where I was a founding partner and over the 7 years as a privately held company I served as VP, Engineering & Manufacturing and then VP Operations. Jet Tech was sold to a public company called USFilter in 1998 and I stayed on with that division group as VP & General Manager for 2 years. During that time my family and I decided to buy and operate a bowling center where we turned it from an archaic losing bowling alley to a prosperous family bowling and entertainment center. I then sold the facility due to family members health issues and semi-retired for 2 years while doing some consulting. In 2006 I wanted to get back active in business and took a position with a public company, Layne Christensen Company, as Assembly Manager to setup and operate an assembly and manufacturing facility at its district office in Kansas City, KS which that division specialized in water wells and water treatment technology, equipment and systems. Over the next 3 years I was promoted to Market Manager of the Midwest Group for Water & Wastewater Treatment and then as the Water Treatment Group Manager over the locations in Kansas City, KS and Bridgewater, NJ. In 2011 I accepted a position of Engineering Manager of Water Technologies in the Water Resources Division and moved to the new engineering center and regeneration facility in Phoenix, AZ. to establish the company's national location for marketing & sales, engineering, application engineering, procurement and all operations., After completing what needed to be accomplished there the family had a desire to move back to the Midwest and I took a position as VP Engineering and Operations for Fluidyne Corporation, where I remain employed today. I remember that though the technology may be different than what is available today the faculty was excellent, the ratio of students to faculty was low and I received an outstanding education that jump started my career. The fundamentals with communication and other skills along with the specialization in applied engineering education that focused on mechanical design and manufacturing was outstanding. It was a hands-on experience and I was provided with excellent career placement opportunities. I do remember the double wide trailer dorms and the portable building that hosted the classrooms, but we still enjoyed campus life, the other amenities offered and the presence of the City of Morrison. All the companies I have worked for were global companies specializing in the water and wastewater technology associated with municipalities, industrial clients and private. With that I have been able to travel to most of the world. I was fortunate to lead the execution of the design, testing and development of equipment and systems for wastewater including (SBR) Sequencing Batch Reactor treatment systems, (ATAD) Auto-thermal Thermophilic Aerboic Digestion systems and MBR Bio Reactor Technology using membranes. In various water treatment projects I was fortunate to be involved in technology including ion exchange, coagulation filtration, adsorption, media filters, ultra filtration, micro-filtration, reverse osmosis and other technologies and equipment for industrial and municipal water applications and systems. I was inventor and/or co-inventor of 7 US & International Patents on wastewater or sludge treatment processes and SBR processes and/or equipment as well as wrote several research & pilot studies, design and policy manuals, materials and safety publications, and internal training manuals as well as presented several classes and seminars. Major duties and responsibilities involve management of contracts, contract negotiation and acceptance, requiring execution from order through final design, equipment submit and engineering approval, fabrication and assembly, installation and facility startup, O&M, technical assistance and final acceptance. I also provide and coordinate with other personnel in review of bid design specifications, prepare designs, project estimates and application, proposal and bid documents.
MORRISON TECH SPRING GRADUATION
ALUMNI AMBASSADORS The Admissions Office invites you to join our team of Morrison Tech Alumni Ambassadors. Ambassadors are a group of volunteers that assist the College Admissions Department with recruiting prospective students and representing the college in the community-at-large. As an Alum, you are able to share invaluable personal experiences that go beyond any brochure or website. Alumni Ambassadors will be used at a variety of college fairs in their local areas. We know we have Alumni scattered across the country - your participation will create a presence at areas we are unable to reach. If you would like to participate in this organization or have questions please contact Jodie Eaker, Admissions Director, at 815-772-7218 x 207
ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE Engineering Technology—Construction Concentration Jeremy R. Henson *
Rock Falls, Illinois
Mathew C. Kirgan ***
East Galesburg, Illinois
Gage J. Miller **
Galesburg, Illinois Engineering Technology—Design & Drafting Concentration
James Castle ***
Stiillman Valley, Illinois
Jeffrey Fitzsimmons
Pontiac, Illinois
Tyler C. Hollister
Rockford, Illinois
Tyler H. Markus
Elgin, Illinois
Jose O. Perez Robles **
Marengo, Illinois
Grant Piske
Marengo, Illinois
Eban Pribble
Dixon, Illinois
Dakota J.L. Pryce
Durand, Illinois
Tony Rumfelt *
Davis, Illinois
Jonathon Rummerfield
Wyoming, Illinois
Spencer J. Sahm
Dubuque, Iowa
Brian Slater ***
Morrison, Illinois
Kyle Thomas Walker
Saunemin, Illinois Networking Administration Concentration
Hunter C. Appenzeller *
Rock Falls, Illinois
Benjamin L. Bailey
Rock Falls, Illinois
Jonathan J. Buckley
Rock Falls, Illinois
Dillon J. Gallentine
Rock Falls, Illinois
Matthew Gerard Johnson ***
Sterling, Illinois
Parker R. Legel
Stockton, Illinois
Coy Kenneth Lee Tarbill
Rock Falls, Illinois
Benjamin Have Wroczynski
Shabbona, Illinois
Winter Graduates Class Commencement Speakers
Engineering Technology—Construction Concentration Paige Barringer
Tiskilwa, Illinois
Gage J. Miller
Jose O. Perez-Robles
Marion Frye
Rockford, Illinois
Construction Technology
Design & Drafting
James Nash
Rockford, Illinois
Benjamin Haven Wrocynski
Engineering Technology—Design & Drafting Concentration Brandon Ellwanger Denton Griffith
Network Administration
Garden Prairie, Illinois Blue Grass, Iowa
Awards Recipients Matthew Kirgan
Excellence in Construction Technology
James Castle
Excellence in Drafting Technology
*Cum Laude
Eban Pribble
Excellence in Engineering Technology
** Magna Cum Laude
Matthew Johnson
Excellence in Mathematics
***Summa Cum Laude
Matthew Johnson
Excellence in Network Administration
Derek Hobbick ***
Metamora, Illinois
Class of 2018
CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give -Winston S. Churchill
Expanding for Student Success The Innovation Center, which will house the college’s Makerspace, is progressing on schedule. Construction began on March 1st and is scheduled to be completed this summer. Equipment has been ordered and has already started to arrive. This will be a great asset to the students and the Morrison Tech Community.
Rec Center Summer of 2018, the Rec Center will be getting a new roof and a new floor in the workout facility.
Career Center
Tech Center
The College will be adding a new Career and Student Service office. A space for clubs to meet, and students to get career assistance.
Computer Lab equipment will be updated in both the engineering technology and network administrative labs.
Odey Hall
Rambo Center
Exciting News for the Dorm! All rooms will be newly furnished and freshly painted!
Room 125 will be getting updated with new carpet, tables, chairs, whiteboards, and LCD monitors.
By the Numbers 97% Career placement in your field. We have graduates throughout the United States Morrison offers a 14:1 student teacher ratio. Small classes, one-on-one Instruction
97 19 14 4 3 2 1
3 programs is all we offer. We focus on only these programs allowing us to deliver an exceptional curriculum in each area.
Your success is number 1 on our list. It is all about you. You are an individual to us. You are part of the Morrison family.
Morrison Tech was ranked 19th on the top 30 trade schools list by Forbes Magazine It’s only a 4 day school week. Monday - Thursday, go enjoy your three day weekend! 2 year guarantee. Go to class, do your work‌ you graduate in 2 years.
Stewards of Engineering Technology Leading The Way—Stewardship of Engineering Technology Morrison Tech has known the value of a technology based career for half a century, but has recently taken a more active role as an advocate for technology. The “skills gap” is a catch phrase we hear everywhere, but what does this mean? In essence, it means that there are not enough skilled workers in key areas, typically areas between the top positions and entry-level positions in a particular vocation. There are many proposed solutions to the skills gap, but many are quick fixes instead of real solutions. Mr. Scott, President of Morrison Institute of Technology, addresses this issue, “Getting students experience with technology at a young age is the first important step to a long term solution. Providing opportunities for high school students to prepare themselves for careers in technology is another. The Innovation Center is the capstone that ties it all together. It enables Morrison Tech to provide resources and guidance to students, educators, and industry.“
Dual Enrollment Program In addition to early exposure technology, students need exploratory experiences. These experiences are increasingly difficult to find at the high school level. Many high schools are discontinuing Industrial Arts programs. Morrison Tech is attempting partially fill this void with our Dual Credit Program that is offered to local high schools. Over the past two years, more than fifty students have participated in the program, and many of those have gone on to pursue careers in technology. The Morrison Tech Dual Credit Program covers entry-level knowledge and skills in engineering technology, emphasizes hands on learning, and provides students a variety of experiences with technology. Some of this curriculum even promotes programs not offered at Morrison Tech! The goal for this program is to provide students with the experiences necessary to make informed educational decisions that will ultimately provide them with a fulfilling and rewarding career. High school students thrive when they know the options available to them. Providing experiences that give students a sense of what these options really mean is critical. For the past two years, Morrison Tech has hosted local high school sophomores for Manufacturing Day, an event organized by a local team of manufacturers and educators that promote careers in manufacturing. Morrison Tech is committed to support stem education programs in Northwest Illinois, and welcomes partnerships with Industry, schools, and other organizations that promote stem education and careers.
Youth Encounters with Technology Morrison Tech has been hosting 7th grade students for Engineering Technology Experience Days for the past five years. These days expose an entire class of students from surrounding school districts to experience based activities related to stem fields such as design, architecture, robotics, programming, engineering, and materials testing. The goal is to provide students with hands-on, exploratory activities that will stimulate their imaginations. Interest in this program is growing. In the past two years Morrison Tech has hosted more than 1,500 7th graders, and nearly 2,500 students have experienced the program! The increasing demand for this program is one of the reasons for launching the Middle School STEM Summer Camp.
Innovation Center The Innovation Center is a symbol of Morrison Tech’s commitment to Engineering Technology and STEM education, and it is capturing attention and interest locally. Illinois State Representative Tony McCombie (R - 71st District) said, “This is a great example of what can happen when community stakeholders come together and collaborate on a project that could be a ‘game changer’ for the region. It addresses some many challenges we face here – STEM education, workforce development, innovation and entrepreneurship – and I look forward to its opening this fall. This is a fabulous project.” According to Chris Scott, President of Morrison Tech, “It will be the largest makerspace in the region, a place to combine traditional and additive manufacturing processes, a space to bring ideas to life and collaborate on new ideas and projects.” It is the culmination of years of planning and effort. This significant investment will enable the college to host numerous activities and foster partnership between Higher Education, Public Education, and Industry. The Innovation Center is a symbol of Morrison Tech’s commitment to those who innovate with new technologies and possess the courage and skill to make their dreams become reality.
Morrison Tech is launching their new camp this summer. The camp will consist of four different STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) related activities that campers will be able to select from. Each day campers will participate in two activities, a morning session and an afternoon session. Kids imagine, collaborate, explore and create, all while learning super cool STEM skills that will help them in school and in life. The camp will be held on July 9th, 10th and 11th. The daily fee to attend the camp will be $60 and will include two sessions, lunch and a T-shirt. Sessions run 9AM - 12:00PM and 12:30PM - 3:30PM. Lunch will be served 12:00PM - 12:30 PM. Camps offered:
Coding 4 Kids - Take a peek inside the mysterious world of coding, and the hardware that makes it work. Bridging into the Future - Explore bridge design using the latest in computer simulations, then put your ideas to the test in a bridge building contest. Robot Revolution - Design your robot to be the best at our camp robotics challenge. Make It. Take It - Build your personalized project that combines materials and processes including concrete, electrical/electronics, and woodworking.
It’s never too early to encourage development in science, technology, engineering, and math. Giving STEM education a try at an early age is the best way to determine whether a child might want to pursue a career in a related field. All of the activities will be staffed by Morrison Tech instructors. The camper will also be able to explore our inspiring campus, make new friends and build skills that last long after summer. Visit the website at www.morrisontech.edu/stemday/ to learn more, or download the brochure and application to apply now. Space is limited, so apply early to secure your spot.
Share your Success Story Become a Featured Alumni on the college Website. https:://www.morrisontech.edu/alumni/
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.
Alumni Center 701 Portland Ave Morrison, Il 61270
Alumni Association Morrison Institute of Technology would like to reinstate the Alumni Association. The Association was originally created to help Morrison Tech Alumni stay connected and take advantage of the benefits of a lasting relationship with the college. The Association will unify Morrison Tech and our Alumni, and allow us to mutually support our students and graduates. The Association would assist the college with establishing the alumni database, help to plan and host Alumni events, and just represent Morrison Tech! We are hosting the first Alumni event in September to showcase the opening of the Innovation Center, and the equipment it houses. Please consider joining the board of the Alumni Association. If you are unable to join the board please consider volunteering as a mentor, speaker, or attendee at student events by contacting the Office of Admissions at (815)772-7218 x206 for more information.