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North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) partnered with the American Welding Society (AWS) to host the annual Behind the Mask competition for high school and college students. The competition, which took place at NDSCS-Fargo on March 20^th, saw ninety-seven high school and college students from North Dakota and Minnesota compete for the top prize.

The competition is designed to challenge each student’s welding skills and to provide them with a platform to present their skills to the welding industry. Behind the Mask is judged by industry professionals who evaluate participants on safety, quality of welds, and the ability to follow AWS welding standards. Students from NDSCS-Fargo, NDSCS Wahpeton, Alexandria Technical College, Southeast Region Career and Technology Center (Wahpeton), Bismarck Career Academy, Sheyenne Valley Career and Technology Center (Valley City), North Valley Career and Technology Center (Grafton), Mandan High School, East Grand Forks, and Minot High School all competed in the event.

The competition’s generous sponsors donated all the prizes for the event, which consisted of awards for the top welders in the separate high school and college divisions. All the proceeds from this event go back into AWS scholarships ranging from $500-$2,500 that are available to high school and college students pursuing a welding career. These scholarships help up-and-coming welders pursue their craft and continue to build upon the skills they already have.

The results of the top welders in the high school division include:

GMAW (wire)

1^st – Brodin Agotness (North Valley Career and Technology Center)

2^nd – Allen Mielke (Minot)

3^rd – Chantz Delzer (Mandan)

SMAW (stick)

1^st – Clay Wagner (Mandan)

2^nd – Brayden McClure (Mandan)

3^rd – Dominic Kautzmann (Mandan)

The results of the top welders in the college division include:

GMAW (wire)

1^st – Colin Lemieux (NDSCS)

2^nd – Seth Winrod (NDSCS)

3^rd – Ben Klemen (NDSCS)

SMAW (stick)

1^st – Lucas Nelson (Alexandria Technical & Community College)

2^nd – Kaden Feldt (Alexandria Technical & Community College)

3^rd – Dominic Finken (Alexandria Technical & Community College)

“It is a privilege to host the AWS Behind the Mask welding competition at NDSCS,” said Mitchell Van Vleet, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of NDSCS Welding. “It was a great opportunity for all the welding Instructors and the students to get together and support the future of the welding industry. Thanks to all the NDSCS Welding staff who participated in the event to make it a great experience for the students.”

The AWS Behind the Mask Competition is a great way to showcase the talents of welders, while also providing an opportunity for students to gain recognition and financial assistance. NDSCS is proud to have been a part of this exciting competition for the past 2 years.

For the longest time, Aleigha Lyons thought she would not go to college.

Lyons is from Lisbon, North Dakota, where her family owns an auto body shop. She began working in the shop as a high school sophomore. A year later, during a day off from school, Lyons toured North Dakota State College of Science’s campus in Wahpeton. The tour started Lyons on her current path as a first year auto body repair and refinishing technology student.

Lyons is one of the 2,942 females making up more than 43% of NDSCS’ total enrollment. The career and technical education program includes 1,334 females representing nearly 35% of the enrollment. Career and technical education is recognized each February, calling attention to high demand fields like the auto industry, construction, electrical technology, HVAC/R technology, plumbing, welding and more.

“If you’re even thinking about it, look into it,” Lyons said. “Don’t be scared. I was terrified. I know it sounds stupid. Yes, people are going to look at you. They might not think you’re doing to do a good job because you’re a woman. And that’s when you prove them wrong.”

Lianna Jepson is a second year electrical technology student. A fateful experience at Kennedy Secondary School, Fergus Falls, Minnesota, redirected her priorities.

“I was peer pressured into joining a robotics club meeting after school,” Jepson said, smiling at the memory. “It really inspired a new aspect of me. Before, I was very book smart, intent on being a math teacher. Now, I was working with my hands, critically thinking, looking at designs. I looked into NDSCS to (pursue being) an electrician. It felt like a natural path to there.”

The most enjoyable, and constant, experience for Jepson has been retraining her brain.

“I’ve taken so many different classes. When I started this, I was so certain, ‘I’m going to be an electrician.’ Now, I see that there’s really so many opportunities, as an electrician, or a programmer, or an estimator,” she said.

Ivan Maas is chair of NDSCS’ building systems technology department, including electrical, HVAC/R and plumbing. A student may arrive without real world experience, but he or she won’t leave without it.

“Most of our programs, or at least the three I work with, heavily involve lab work,” Maas said. “The bulk of the equipment they work on is literally the same equipment they will work on and service when they get out in the industry. It’s not trainers, it’s not just virtual kinds of stuff. This is the same equipment.”

Peer-to-peer interaction is greatly important for career and technical students, Maas said. Sexism would be a hindrance, especially when capability is the driving criteria.

“Don’t worry about what other people think,” said Carissa Gozdal, a first year Komatsu diesel student from Fargo, North Dakota. “In diesel, no one cares if you’re a woman or not. I haven’t had a teacher or guy treat me differently. If you’re doing your work right, good, on time and efficiently, no one cares.”

Gozdal is a sponsored student, whose education will be followed by time with the company that helped pay for it. Students continue to look for and pursue opportunities to either assist with or redefine education choices.

Brooke Glynn is a third year construction management student from Fullerton, North Dakota. She has already graduated from architectural drafting and estimating, as well as being a member of the North Dakota National Guard. It was through the latter organization that Glynn began her work as a carpentry specialist.

“I really loved it. It was hands-on work that I decided to ultimately pursue,” Glynn said. “After experiencing construction through the military, I went to look for a college that would provide me more opportunities.”

Glynn will graduate this year with a degree in construction management. She seeks to find a full-time job as an architectural drafter or assistant construction manager, working her way up to being a construction manager.

“Don’t care about what other people think of you,” Glynn said to young women. “Focus on your trade and doing what you can.”

Terry Marohl is head of NDSCS’ transportation department. He is also impressed at the amount of camaraderie and interest in shared success among career and technical education students.

“We’re all about getting individuals ready for the workforce, with hands-on career experience. When we recruit, we’re recruiting students for our programs. There’s so much demand from the industries. The opportunities are there, but the demand is greater than the supply,” Marohl said.

Lily Reed, a first year welding technology student from Willmar, Minnesota, is another student whose mind was broadened when she got to try something new. It was thanks to a high school all-girl’s welding class.

“I wanted to pursue my passion and do what I enjoy. I love what I do. If I didn’t go to a bigger (high school), I would never have gone to the program I’m in right now,” Reed said.

Like her peers, Reed sees making a career from a career and technical education program as of matter of doing what she enjoys and can see herself continuing to do.

“It doesn’t matter what field it’s in or if it’s men-dominated. Go and prove yourself to them,” Reed said.

“Sometimes you’re put on a pedestal and sometimes you’re put down,” Jepson said. “In either case, you have to stay true to what you believe. You have to know what you want to do, know your job and do it right. And at the end of the day, you’ll make a lot of money.”

Article written by Frank Stanko for Wahpeton Daily News on February 1, 2023. 

Students from the North Dakota State College of Science received a number of awards at the North Dakota SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference, which was held in Bismarck this spring. By achieving gold medals at the state level, 14 of these students qualified to compete in their respective categories at the national SkillsUSA Championships, which will be held in Louisville, Ky. in June.

The NDSCS students who received gold, silver or bronze medals at the state competition include:

COLORADO
Evans: Jessica Starkey, Motorcycle Service Technology, Silver

MINNESOTA
Cottage Grove: Alex Johnson, Welding, Silver
Fergus Falls: Jared Christenson, Electrical Construction Wiring, Silver; Richard Grimm, Welding Fabrication, Gold; Mason Tell, Automotive Service Technology, Bronze; Jared Wick, Culinary Arts, Bronze
Frazee: Ryan Bade, Collision Repair Technology, Gold
Moorhead: Chantel Hamann, Power Equipment Technology, Gold
Sartell: Cole Moritz, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Spring Grove: Mitchell Anderson, Welding Fabrication, Gold
Wheaton: Brayden Lampe, Welding Fabrication, Gold

MONTANA
Sidney: Sean Lofthus, Welding Sculpture, Silver

NORTH DAKOTA
Argusville: Noah Trangsrud, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Bismarck: Tony DaSilva, Welding Sculpture, Bronze
Cando: Larry MacDonald, Automotive Service Technology, Silver
Des Lacs: Jonathan Fritel, CNC Technician, Gold
Dickinson: Shelby Kilwein, Diesel Equipment Technology, Bronze
Fargo: Joe Brunner, Culinary Arts, Gold; Chandler Rheault, Welding Sculpture, Gold
Grafton: Justin Simon, Welding, Gold
Jamestown: Kyle Schumacher, Automotive Service Technology, Gold
Lisbon: Cassie Witte, Culinary Arts, Silver
Marion: Greg Lahlum, Diesel Equipment Technology, Gold
New Rockford: Colten Schafer, Welding Fabrication, Silver
Rugby: Kurt Pfau, Diesel Equipment Technology, Silver
Strasburg: Trent Mattern, Motorcycle Service Technology, Gold
Valley City: Brandon Compson, CNC Turning Specialist, Gold
Williston: Ryan Hellen, Electrical Construction Wiring, Gold; Cullen Weigel, Electrical Construction Wiring, Bronze

SOUTH DAKOTA:
Herreid: Josh Orth, Motorcycle Service Technology, Bronze

North Dakota State College of Science has been awarded a $742,567 grant from the National Science Foundation to support the North Dakota Welds (NDWelds) Program: Advancing Welding Technician Skills for Students and Training for Educators.

NDWelds has a goal of enhancing welding technician skills for secondary school students, two-year college students, secondary school teachers and two-year college faculty members. Through this project, NDSCS will increase the number of trained and certified welders possessing essential and advanced skills to meet the workforce needs of the region.

The NDWelds project will increase awareness among students from under-represented groups of the opportunity for careers in welding. NDWelds significantly impacts the regional economic environment by filling a critical employment training need.

The grant award started on May 15, 2017, and will end on April 30, 2020.