North Dakota State College of Science students recently earned top honors at the national SkillsUSA Championships.

Ryan Iverson, a Precision Machining Technology student from Grand Forks, N.D., earned a gold medal in the CNC Milling Specialist category. The CNC Milling Specialist contest evaluates preparation for employment in Computer Numeric Control Milling by assessing the ability to write CNC milling programs, interpret prints and measure/gage parts.

Ethan Fettig of Bismarck, N.D., and Chantel Hamann of Moorhead, Minn. each secured a bronze medal at the competition. Fettig, a Diesel Technology student, earned a bronze medal in the Diesel Equipment Technology category while Hamann, a Powersports Technology student, earned a bronze medal in the Power Equipment Technology category.

The SkillsUSA Championships were held in Louisville, Ky., in June during the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. More than 6,000 students competed for national recognition in the 52nd annual SkillsUSA Championships in 100 hands-on occupational and leadership contests, such as electronics, precision machining, public speaking and culinary arts. Contests tested competencies set by industry, and were run with the help of industry, trade associations and labor organizations.

North Dakota State College of Science has received the Innovative Career and Technical Education Program award from the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Region V. The award recognizes the College’s Career Awareness Seminar, a professional development activity that occurs each summer on the NDSCS Wahpeton campus.

Rick Ross, Executive Director for the North Dakota ACTE, presented the award to Diesel Technology Department Chair Terry Marohl, who is the coordinator for the Career Awareness Seminar, during this summer’s seminar. “Terry is a leader of a team of people with members from various departments,” said Ross. “More than 60 employees and friends of NDSCS work together to put on this seminar each summer.”

“I’d like to thank all of the faculty and staff who work together to make the Career Awareness Seminar happen,” said Marohl. “This is an enjoyable event that showcases 16 unique programs not offered anywhere else in the state of North Dakota. We have a lot of fun planning and hosting this event each year.”

NDSCS held its first Career Awareness Seminar in June 2008. The purpose of the seminar is to expose and educate high school counselors, teachers and administrators to emerging and existing technologies in the areas of transportation, construction, manufacturing, agriculture, health care, business and information technology. Participants spend more than three days in an intense program that includes hands-on learning sessions and business and industry presentations. NDSCS has seen a direct correlation between participants and registered students from the participants’ respective schools.

The Innovative Career and Technical Education Program award recognizes innovative career and technical education programs that are unique, novel and serving to improve and promote the image of career and technical education. To be eligible for the award, programs must have been in operation for at least three years, demonstrate a capacity to prepare graduates to perform successfully in an occupational field and exemplify the highest standards within its occupational field.

The North Dakota State College of Science Auto Body Repair and Refinishing Technology program recently received reaccreditation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

To achieve this coveted recognition, the College’s Auto Body Repair & Refinishing Technology program underwent rigorous evaluation by NATEF. Nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities and equipment were used.

“This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents,” said Donald Seyfer, former NATEF Chair. “Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that NDSCS graduates will be employable entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by NDSCS, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the work force.”

Upon completion of the evaluation, the College became reaccredited by NATEF, a non-profit, independent organization that evaluates and accredits entry-level technician training programs against standards developed by the automotive industry.

“During the past few months, we have worked closely with NATEF to make certain that our program would meet strict industry standards and we are pleased to once again join the ranks of the NATEF accredited training programs,” said James Erdahl, NDSCS Automotive Repair & Refinishing Technology Program Chair and Associate Professor. “NDSCS students are guaranteed to receive a quality education while shop owners can be confident of obtaining quality job applicants.”

To learn more about the NDSCS Automotive Repair & Refinishing Technology program, including certificate and A.A.S. degree options, visit www.ndscs.edu/autobody or call 1-800-342-4325 ext. 2521.