The Third Annual Muskegon Community College Welding Invitational for tech center students who reside in local counties took place on Feb. 28 in MCC’s Sturrus Technology Center Welding Lab/Classroom.
Students from the Muskegon Career Tech Center, Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency (NCRESA), Careerline Tech in Ottawa County, and the Kent CTC competed for scholarships and welding gear.
Tyler Gould from Muskegon CTC and Zach Dumbauld from Kent CTC tied for first. The two students, along with third place finisher Jared Geiger of Muskegon CTC, all received $1,000 scholarships from the American Welding Society and MCC.
Receiving welding equipment from Lincoln Electric were the fourth through sixth place finishers: Zako Quall Kelaan from Kent CTC, Max Gibson from Ottawa, and Noah Krouse from Newaygo, respectively.
“The competition provides an excellent opportunity for tech center students to compete in our new state-of-the art welding facility, “said Tom Sumerix, MCC welding instructor and coordinator of the Welding Invitational. “They get to show off their welding skills and have fun doing it.
The invitational involved a written exam testing the students’ knowledge and a project-based test using the gas metal arc welding process to create a rocket stove.
MCC students served as judges for the competition. The participants toured the MCC applied technology facilities, enjoyed lunch, and attended the afternoon awards ceremony. Jeff Rumsey from Local 174 Pipe Fitters and Plumbers, Ken Robinson from Arconic Howmet, and Mark Rotart from the American Welding Society District 11 were the guest speakers and scholarship presenters. MCC, Purity Gas and Welding Supply, Lincoln Electric and Arconic co-sponsored the contest.