April 24, 2008
For Immediate Release

RCCC Student Claims 2nd Place
In Welding Competition

           SALISBURY, N.C. -- Jason Hill of Salisbury, a student at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, finished second in a regional welding competition hosted by the college April 18.

           Eight community colleges sent their best student welders to show their skills in the 7th Annual American Welding Society Intercollegiate Competition for the Carolinas and Virginia.

           Hill finished close behind first-place winner Chucki Creech of Nash Community College. Jesse Ellis of Central Piedmont Community College placed third.

           Brandon Hoffner, an RCCC welding instructor, said Hill and his fellow RCCC welders played a big role in the event's success.

           "Our students volunteered a significant amount of time to prepare our welding lab for the competition. Their efforts paid off as we had more colleges participating and as many as 100 spectators in attendance," Hoffner said.

           The competition included a blacksmithing demonstration by William Beaver and Randy Cox. Pitt Community College brought its mobile welding lab for students and spectators to tour.

           RCCC's Welding Technology program provides students with a sound understanding of the science, technology and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metal industry. Students can complete a one-year diploma track or multiple certificate options.

           Welding instruction includes consumable and non-consumable electrode welding and cutting processes. Courses in math, blueprint reading, metallurgy, welding inspection and destructive and non-destructive testing provide students with industry-standard skills developed through classroom training and practical application.

           Graduates of the Welding Technology program are prepared for employment as entry-level technicians in welding and metal-working industries. Career opportunities also exist in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, sales, quality control, supervision and welding-related self-employment. For more information about RCCC's Welding Technology program, call RCCC at 704-216-3921 or 704-216-3922.

           Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. RCCC offers approximately 40 programs of study in business, health and human services and engineering technologies at multiple campus locations. RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an enrollment of approximately 20,000 adult students. RCCC programs include an associate degree in arts and sciences, an associate degree in applied science, and diploma and certificate programs focusing on workforce training, continuing education and basic skills education.

           In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus, under construction in Kannapolis, N.C.

           For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.