Brief remarks were made at an open house ceremony on Wednesday for LLCC-Taylorville’s newly updated and renovated welding lab.
Wayne Rosenthal, vice chair of the LLCC Board of Trustees, spoke at an open house for the updated LLCC-Taylorville welding lab
Wayne Rosenthal of Morrisonville, vice chair of the LLCC Board of Trustees, represents district 4 on the board, which includes Taylorville. He commented, “When you compare our facilities 10 years ago to where we are today, the changes have been phenomenal. We have a new classroom facility built in 2011, and the original building was updated in 2015. Now, with this new welding lab, all of LLCC-Taylorville is state-of-the-art.”
Marty Swan, construction occupations coordinator, LLCC-Taylorville; Dennis Shackelford, chair, LLCC Board of Trustees; Wayne Rosenthal, vice chair; Justin Reichert, trustee; Dr. Charlotte Warren, president; Gordon Gates, trustee; Ken Elmore, board secretary; Mike Hazdra and Red Tomnitz, welding instructors at an open house Sept. 26 for LLCC-Taylorville’s newly updated welding lab.
The $275,000 welding lab project was funded through an anonymous gift combined with LLCC Foundation and college funds. “This project significantly enhances the experience of LLCC’s welding students in Taylorville and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC. “The project includes new welding lab equipment, new flooring and welding curtains, and energy efficient ventilation and lighting systems. Additionally, thanks to the Bertrand Hopper Memorial Foundation and its board members, we were able to purchase a band saw. We are so excited about the opportunities that this project will create for our students. This program truly has the ability to put our community members to work!”
Marty Swan, construction occupations coordinator at LLCC-Taylorville, said the new equipment includes 12 machines that will each perform MIG, TIG and stick welding. “This is a big advantage to students and allows us to expand our enrollment. Instructors Mike Hazdra and Red Tomnitz are two of the finest welding teachers anywhere.” He added that the job market for welders is “fantastic. Our graduates can leave here and go immediately to employment.”