WEST PLAINS, Mo. – All nine graduates of the first class of the Terry L. “Bo” Pace Advanced Welding and Fabrication Program are employed, according to Sheila Barton, director of workforce development at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP).

“We are very proud of our first cohort and the skills they have learned,” Barton said. “Each of our students excelled and are currently employed and on their way to a long-term career.”

            Those graduates and their place of employment include:

            • Jesse Ray, West Plains, CamCorp in Willow Springs

            • Keegan Corbin, Tecumseh, CamCorp

            • Kole Brower, Mountain View, CamCorp

            • Nick Shipley, West Plains, CamCorp

            • Yvonne Bowers, Caulfield, MSU-WP

            • Marisol Lopez, West Plains, Leonardo DRS in West Plains

            • Justin Lancaster, West Plains, eGenix Mining in Phoenix, Arizona

            • Gabe Foster, Thayer, MSU-WP

            • Dylan Howell, Pottersville, AB Stainless in Wisconsin

Barton said Bowers, who has completed both the Advanced Industrial Maintenance and Advanced Welding and Fabrication options of the Associate of Applied Science in Technology Degree, is working as a technology assistant in the workforce development office.

Foster is completing an internship with the Pace Advanced Welding and Fabrication Program this summer, Barton said. He will continue his studies at MSU-WP this fall while working as a student assistant in the welding lab through the university’s Corps of Opportunity work/scholarship program.

Barton noted that nine of the 10 students who enrolled in the program last fall completed the coursework, earning a certificate and 25 college credit hours. They also earned 81 industry recognized credentials through Lincoln Electric, the university’s educational partner in the program.

The Pace Advanced Welding and Fabrication Technology Program is preparing students for careers in the manufacturing industry by focusing on various welding processes, including Flux Core, TIG and MIG, structural design, fabrication and more, Barton noted.

“We are very pleased with the success of this cohort and look forward to welcoming more students this fall,” Barton said.

  Area residents interested in the program still have time to be admitted into and register for the program. For more information about admission and registration procedures, contact the MSU-WP admissions office at 417-255-7955, email WPAdmissions@MissouriState.edu or visit WP.MissouriState.edu/Admissions.

For more information about the Terry L. “Bo” Pace Advanced Welding and Fabrication Program, call 417-255-7784, email WPWorkforce@MissouriState.edu or visit WP.MissouriState.edu/Workforce.