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NEWS FROM THE ENERGY DIVISION
Mitchell Technical Institute
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Dear Friends and Supporters of MTI's Energy Division:
We are pleased to share information from the Propane Natural Gas (PNG), SCADA, Wind and Power Line (PL) Depts. in this newsletter. Please contact us with any questions or ideas for future articles. Thank you for your support of the MTI Energy Division! |
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MTI Will Offer New Program
Mitchell Technical Institute will offer a new program in Electrical Utilities and Substation Technology (EU/ST) beginning in August, 2011. The program was approved March 21, by the South Dakota Board of Education. This program will complement MTI's already strong energy programs by offering a second year option to Power Line graduates. Students entering the program must be a licensed Journey-worker in the power line industry or be a graduate of a Power Line Construction and Maintenance program. Electrical Utilities and Substation Technology will focus on substation construction and maintenance and the electronics necessary to deliver electricity to customers. The program can accept up to 30 students. Interest has been high in this new opportunity for Power Line graduates.
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Wind Turbine News
MTI gets GE's 15,000th Turbine
General Electric announced Feb. 3 that its 15,000th megawatt-class wind turbine has been installed at Basin Electric Power Cooperative's Crow Lake wind farm in South Dakota, and the turbine is owned and operated by Mitchell Technical Institute.
The turbine is one of 108 GE 1.5 megawatt turbines recently commissioned at the site. The turbine, which will be owned and operated by MTI through an agreement with Basin Electric, will provide hands-on learning opportunities for students enrolled in MTI's Wind Turbine Technology program, support future green technology jobs and will be instrumental to the training of the next generation of wind turbine technicians.
The project was made possible by a grant awarded to MTI by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Additional funding was provided by the S.D. Governor's Office of Economic Development, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, General Electric and MTI. MTI's Wind Turbine Technology program was launched in 2009 and provides highly trained technicians to the expanding wind industry.
Construction at Crow Lake began and October, 2010 and MTI accepted ownership of the turbine early March, 2011.
Students Scale Turbine at Crow Lake
Thirteen students in the Wind Turbine
Techician program safely and  success-
fully scale our new GE 1.5 MW turbine at the Crow Lake Wind Farm on March 11 and 12. Friday's climb was cut a little short due to high wind gusts in the area exceeding 60 mph.
Lower wind speeds on Saturday allowed students the opportunity to perform a hub entry. The hub is the nose area of a turbine  where technicians maintain equipment for the turbine. To enter the hub, technicians must exit the top hatch of the nacelle and move forward to get to the hub access hatch. Hand rails provide access to the hatch. The hub access is over the edge behind DeFries.
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 HLC Recommends
10-Year Accreditation
Mitchell Technical Institute has received a recommendation for continued accreditation for ten years by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Ten years is the maximum time period for which a school can receive accreditation.
The recommendation for continued accreditation was made by a team of evaluators who visited the campus March 7 - 9. Their report and recommendation will be forwarded to the full Commission for approval later in 2011. MTI has been accredited since 1980.
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District 6 ISA Competition Held at MTI
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The Automation Controls/SCADA ISA Student Section sponsored the District 6 ISA Student Competition on April 15th. Meetings began at 7:15 and the contest began at 8:00. At 1:00 a quiz bowl was held which determined the winning team. Judges evaluated on team work, quality, accuracy, and explanation of the problem's solution. The competition consisted of the following:
ISA Analog Exercise:
The ISA Practical Exercise consisted of three problems dealing with analog control equipment. Each team was given 45 minutes to work through each problem.
ISA Design/Discrete Exercise:
The ISA Design Exercise involved two design problems dealing with control circuits. One circuit was a ladder logic design and wire. The second was a digital circuit design and wire. Each team was given 45 minutes to design and wire each problem.
ISA BOWL:
The ISA Bowl had two teams compete to answer questions on basic and advanced instrumentation and control theory. Students needed to be knowledgeable in the following areas: Basic Control theory, Basic Electrical and Electronic Concepts, Basic Mechanical Concepts, Basic Hydraulic and Pneumatic Theory, Temperature Sensors, Strain Gages, Actuators, such as Flow Control Valves or Damper Drives, Programmable Logic Controllers, PC Based Controllers, Digital Logic Concepts, Data Communications.
Vendors were set up to show various types of sensors and newer types of control products.
Fourteen teams from six states competed with MTI placing 12th, 6th and 2nd. The competition was sponsored and judged by vendors in the Process and Automation industry.
Tony Russell & Dan Fergen, ISA Advisors |
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9th Annual College Lineman's Rodeo Held
MTI and the Powerline Program hosted the 9th annual "College Lineman's Rodeo" April 15th at the Energy Training Center. 81 college linemen from 7 different schools competed in four events including:
· Obstacle Climb
· Cross Arm Change
· Framing a C1 structure
· Lineman Knowledge Exam
The day began with biscuits and gravy and competition began at 9 am in the warm, dry Energy Training Center arena while the weather outside was wet, snowy and miserable. The rodeo ran until approximately 3 pm. In addition to the competition there was a pole-top rescue demonstration by MTI linemen at 11:30. The event was free to attend.
MTI Power Line Students competing include:
Team 1 - Erik Christiansen, Tim Olinger and Cole Ripplinger; Team 2 - Cody Cadman, Cody Riggs and Jason Burfeindt; Team 3 - Derek Miles, Jayme Juhnke and Matt Hastings;
Team 4 - Lars Sorensen. Jeff Bode and Dan Norby; and
Team 5 - Austin Gesinger, Steve Steinke and Preston Munk.
MTI students placing were:
Framing: Juhnke (1st), Olinger (4th) and Norby (6th)
Cross Arm: Steineke (5th)
Knowledge: Hastings (5th) and Miles (6th)
MTI Teams placing were:
Cross Arm - Team 3 (3rd) and Team 5 (5th)
Knowledge - Team 3 (3rd)
Framing - Team 3 (6th)
While the competition was indoors other events were going on outside including:
Bucket truck rides
Excavator bowling
SD-REA Hot-line safety trailer demonstration - 10 am & 2 pm (indoors)
MTI Energy Trailer demonstration - 11 am & 1 pm
MTI Pole Top Rescue demonstration 11:30 am - 12 pm (indoors)
Saturday MTI hosted the 2nd annual Professional Lineman Rodeo from 10 am - 3 pm. Seven teams competed on Saturday. |
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Wind for Schools Turbine Takes Shape
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With help from WTT students and faculty, the Wind for Schools turbine at MTI is taking shape. It is located north of the Energy Training Center near the wind blade on display. The turbine will provide electricity to illuminate the MTI billboard and blade and also provide energy data to the Wind for Schools program. Construction focus was on the foundation: a hole was dug, a rebar cage constructed and lowered into the pit, conduit had to be cut and formed, anchor bolts and templates installed, and finally the concrete was poured. It will take approximately three weeks for the foundation to cure before we can do the next step in the process which is to erect the monopole tower and turbine.
Quite the team effort on the foundation...Stacey Eddy, WTT instructor, led the project, Dan Hoeffner, PNG instructor, ensured that the hole was dug to the correct dimensions, WTT students Nick Hauck, Riley Kuschel, Jacob Miller, and Josh Helling provided much of the manpower, Danny DeFries made frequent trips to Menards to pick up hardware that we forgot, and I was the cameraman. Everone did their assigned jobs well!
 
Jeff Crain, Wind Turbine Technology Instructor |
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SCADA Building Process Trainer
Scada instructors and students are in the process of building a Process Trainer in the lab what will allow them to control the flow of water between two large tanks using a frequency Drive, variable valves and
various types of sensors. SCADA instructor Tony Russell is interested in obtaining parts that they would be able to put to good use.
Please call him at 605-995-7230. |
MTI Receives National Ranking Honor
Mitchell Technical Institute Eligible For $1 Million Aspen Institute Prize Fund Supporting Excellence
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In its first step to identify the nation's best community colleges and award $1 million in prize money, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program recently ranked Mitchell Technical Institute one of the nation's 120 best community colleges, challenging them to compete for the Prize funds by insisting on high standards for learning, college completion without delay, and serving as a training ground for jobs that pay competitive wages. The full list of eligible institutions can be found at www.AspenCCPrize.org. |
MTI and 119 other community colleges will be narrowed down to eight-to-ten finalists in September based on how much students learn, how many complete their programs on time, and how well students do in the job market after graduating. The colleges are now eligible to submit applications containing detailed data on these criteria. They must demonstrate that they deliver exceptional student results, use data to drive decisions, and use that information to continually improve over time.
Aspen will conduct site visits to each of the ten finalists in the fall. And, based on the evidence, the Prize Jury will select a grand prize winner and two to three runners-up, to be announced in December. |
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PNG Instructor Bids Farewell to MTI
Dan Hoeffner, long-time Propane and Natural Gas instructor will bid farewell to MTI at the end of the 2011 school year. Hoeffner has accepted a position with Montana Dakota Utilities and will be moving "out west" to embark on the next phase of his career, Hoeffner has worked tirelessly to increase our industry partnerships and to provide the best education in the propane and natural gas industries available anywhere.
Hoeffner is no stranger to MDU as he has developed and completed
training for the MDU employees in Marshall, MN and Minot and Hettinger, ND in the past.
MTI wishes Dan every success as he continues his career with MDU. |
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Workforce Recruitment Program in Place at MTI
Mitchell Technical Institute has recently introduced the Workforce Recruitment Program, which allows companies in workforce-challenged industries an innovative means of developing their workforce.
By recruiting a student and paying a portion of their educational costs, a company gains a commitment of employment service when the student graduates. Guaranteed summer employment between academic years one and two provides the student an opportunity to learn on the job and to meet their internship requirement. It affords the company a chance to nurture the student/employee in the unique atmosphere of your company.
The company's educational costs under the Workforce Recruitment Program are billed through the MTI Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity, which assures the tax deductibility of your expense.
Participating companies will:
· Assist in recruiting and screening prospective
students/future employees
· Offer tours of their company
· Provide job-shadowing experiences
· Underwrite a portion of a student's educational costs
· Provide a paid summer internship between the first and
second years of the program
· Offer full-time employment with competitive wages upon
the student's graduation
Participating students will:
· Meet MTI's admission and enrollment requirements
· Submit to a background check and drug screening
· Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a scale of 4.0
· Attend classes regularly
· Complete a paid internship with the company
· Take the MTI Student Success course, which consists of
training in character and ethics, dress, personal
communication, social skills and
personal finance skills
· Agree to remain employed with the company after
graduation for the predetermined duration
· Reimburse the company for its investment in his/her
education if the
student defaults on the agreement
Mitchell Technical Institute will:
· Administer the program, and hold all relevant
documentation
· Facilitate interviews, tours, applications, background
checks and verification of drug screening up to the point
of student's acceptance to MTI
- Provide student progress reports to the employer (with a
signed student consent form)
· Invoice the company each semester through the MTI
Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity
All WRP documents, including contracts and MOU's, are available from MTI. Contact Mark Gerhardt, MTI's Vice President for Industry Relations, at (605) 995-7174 or at mark.gerhardt@mitchelltech.edu to learn how WRP can work for your company |
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Family Influence and Scholarship Help P/L Student
Thaine Manderfeld, Sturgis, SD, didn't have to go far to find out what the life of a Power Lineman was like. His uncle, Cocoa Dietrich, a Power Lineman and graduate of MTI's Power Line Program ('81), influenced Thaine to attend Mitchell Tech's Power Line program in 2010.  Part of Thaine's preparation for coming to MTI was his search for financial opportunities. He did a Google search and pulled up the site for the "International Power Line Rodeo". The site included an application for scholarships. Thaine filled out the online application and was pleased later to be selected as a recipient of a $2000 scholarship to attend MTI.
Thaine was invited to spend two days in Kansas City last fall to attend the 27th Annual International Power Line Rodeo. He received a free convention pass and met with the Director of Scholarship selection. He attended the rodeo events along with contestants from all over the United States and the World, and received his scholarship at the Awards Banquet.
Thaine is pleased with his selection of MTI and is looking forward to graduating on May 6. Congratulations and good luck Thaine! |
OSHA Incorporated into MTI Courses
Jimmie Nicolaus, Safety Director at MTI, has successfully incorporated twenty sections of OSHA 10 courses in nine General Industry and General Construction programs including four sections for Corporate Education and one for Faculty.
Nicolaus, who is authorized to provide OSHA 1926, 510 and 500 training, has issued a total of 371 OSHA certification cards. |
SCADA Tours and Speakers Present
Opportunities
Jeff Peltier (salesman from PowerMation) spoke to the class about
opportunities in the sales field.
Scott Bredehoft (salesman from GS Systems representing
WonderWare) spoke to the class on various uses of the
WonderWare suite of software.
Dan Meyer (salesman from Baldwin Automation & Controls) spoke to
the students about jobs in the automation field.
SCADA students toured the Lake Norden Cheese Plant in Lake Norden. They have several past students working there and are very gracious in showing us their automation and HMI systems. |
MTI Had Record Spring Starts
Mitchell Technical Institute announced a record number of spring starts than we have ever had with over 81 starting this spring semester. The spring enrollment was down a bit from what MTI started the fall, with the count near 1085 students. The Admissions Dept., along with a well-planned marketing plan and advertising helped achieve the record spring starts.
The Admissions Department also rolled out a new referral campaign for the months of March and April to encourage current students to refer another student to MTI. The program called Refer-Any-Buddy provides a MTI student with a gift card and a chance to win $2500 in a drawing if their referral completes the application process. Any MTI student is eligible; if the student is a first year, the money will be applied to their fall account. If the student graduates in May, the money will be paid directly to them after any outstanding bills at MTI are settled. The contest runs through May 1, with the drawing held May 3.
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Outreach Programs at MTI
Dual Credit Energy Program Helps High School Students
The dual-credit program called "Energy Career Training for High School Students" has provided 9 students across South Dakota a chance to get a head start on their MTI classes before graduating from high school. The intent of this program is to introduce high school students to MTI Energy related programs such as MTI's Propane and Natural Gas Technologies; Wind Turbine Technology; Power Line Construction and Maintenance and Heating and Cooling Technology and allow them to obtain MTI credits while still in high school. Completing weekly online lessons, the student also met face-to-face once a month for hands-on activities conducted on the MTI campus or at Black Hills Power in Rapid city with other students in the western half of the state. South Dakota High school students from Mt. Vernon, White Lake, Platte-Geddes, Arlington, Beresford, Sturgis, Kadoka and Dupree were enrolled. A second dual-credit option begins Fall, 2011 and will provide classes for students interested in Communications/Information Technology programs (Automation Controls/SCADA, Information Systems Technology, Satellite Communications and Telecommunications). The correlation between high school students who take MTI dual-credit classes and their enrollment at MTI has been very high and students feel this program strengthen their commitment to MTI. Dual-credit classes are provided at a reduced cost for tuition and fees and MTI also offers partial scholarships. However, for many students the cost is an obstacle to enrollment. Industry sponsorship and/or tuition assistance for high school students taking dual-credit is a great opportunity to build a relationship between your business and a local student with potential as a future employee. Contact John Heemstra, MTI Outreach Coordinator, (605) 995-7204, or email john.heemstra@mitchelltech.edu. to discuss how you might provide assistance to this program.
Outreach Locations Expand
Now in its second year, the MTI Outreach program provides opportunities for students to get started with MTI classes in their local community or high school. Offerings are available at the Huron Community Campus (HCC), Yankton Regional Technical Education Center (RTEC), Sinte Gleska University (SGU), and high schools throughout the state with our Dual-Credit programs. The primary focus of the Huron and Yankton programs this year has been the Telecommunications and Satellite Communications programs with six students anticipated to complete the entire first year curriculum off-campus and move directly into the 2nd year on the MTI campus next fall. MTI also expects six additional students from these locations to continue at MTI next fall in the WTT, IST, SCADA, ECM, PL and HCT programs. New for the 2011-12 school year will be two additional program offerings in the Yankton community with a new Industrial Maintenance Technology program and the existing MTI Office Technology Specialist program. The Industrial Maintenance Technology program will be a 9-month, diploma program offered only in Yankton. This initiative is the result of a partnership between Yankton RTEC and MTI and is being partially funded through a grant provided by the SD Department of Labor. The goal of the program is to train technicians able to service and maintain facilities and equipment while controlling energy costs. MTI will be working closely with Yankton RTEC and welcomes input from regional industries as we develop the program outcomes and student competencies over the summer. MTI has also partnered with the Southeast Job Link in Yankton to offer the Office Technology Specialist 9-month diploma program beginning in August 2011. This will provide an opportunity to meet workforce needs identified in the Yankton community and provide students options for entry into the workforce with skills in office administration and support as well software applications and technology. In August 2010, MTI and SGU partnered to launch a new initiative to provide a Wind Turbine Technology diploma with classes offered mainly on the SGU campus in Mission SD. Through a combination of face-to-face and two-way video classes, the concept for delivery has proven to be successful and MTI anticipates the first program graduates later this year. With the potential for future wind farm developments in western South Dakota this offers a unique opportunity for job and skill training for students in the region and recruiting efforts are underway for the next group of students to begin next fall. |
Students  Visit
Recruiting Trailer
The Recruiting and Training Trailer has traveled to several locations during the second semester of the 2010-2011 school year. The travels include visits to career & college fairs in Sturgis and Wagner and school visits to Sioux Falls, Lake Area, East Central, Sundance, WY, Belle Fourche, Sturgis, Spearfish, Gregory, Burke, Colome, White River, Wolsey/Wessington, Miller, Highmore and Chamberlain. The guest list totals nearly 1800 students, faculty and parents from Jan. through March with additional visits still scheduled. This brings the total for the 2010-2011 school year to over 3000 visitors.
The purpose of the trailer is to define career awareness and exploration by promoting activities with the goal of raising awareness of and interest in careers or occupations. Jimmie Nicolaus of MTI feels the trailer has been a great success in letting students, faculty and other interested visitors see what MTI has going on and the career opportunities offered.
The 53 foot semi-trailer is outfitted with equipment representing a variety of energy and construction related programs offered at Mitchell Technical Institute including:
* Electrical Construction & Maintenance
* Heating & Cooling Technology
* Power Line Maintenance & Construction
* Propane & Natural Gas Technology
* Wind Turbine Technology
Plans include having a second trailer available for tours by Fall, 2011.
School or community visits can be scheduled with Jimmie Nicolaus at (605) 995-7146 or Jimmie.Nicolaus@mitchelltech.edu
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MTI Job Fair was a Success
The MTI job fair was very successful March 3rd thanks to the student attendance. MTI had 23 different vendors and almost all were looking for entry level employees to start this summer. Programs of particular interest to the vendors included Construction, Energy, Engineering and Business. 236 students registered and participated in the event! Students and vendors shared a number of positive comments. Students enrolled in some programs were able to participate in interviews the day of the Fair. If your organization is interested in attending next year's event please contact Amanda Neppl at 605-995-7136 for further details. |
Veterans Welcomed at MTI
Student Veterans Organization (SVO) Helps Mitchell VFW Post The SVO club was busy in December working at the local VFW club Post 2750. SVO members made many improvements within the VFW club such as painting walls, replacing worn ceiling tile and removing old drain and water lines. The event had 15 students and teachers show up to help with the project and members of the VFW greatly appreciated the quality of work that was completed. |
Summer of 2011 Finds Programs and Administration Moving
Construction is proceeding at a rapid pace on the new Administration Buildling on the South Campus. Puetz Corp., general contractor, indicates everything is  on track for the June 15th turnover. Current plans include all inside work and parking lot outside should be completed by July 5th with the heavy moving work scheduled after that date. The entire moving window will be about 30 days.
Offices re-locating will include the Business Office, Student Services and Enrollment Services. Programs moving are General Education, Radialogic Technology, Culinary Arts and Health Science.
Programs remaining at the Main (North) Campus will include Farm Business Management, MTI Foundation, Business and Industry Training, Power Sports, ADBC, ECM, Ag and HCT. These programs will remain at the North Campus until the final building is approved and construction completed.
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Graduation Held May 6
Mitchell Technical Institute's 42nd graduation ceremony was held May 6 at 5 P.M. at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. Approximately 475 students received diplomas or Associate of Applied Science degrees at the ceremony. MTI was pleased to welcome Stephanie Herseth Sandlin as the guest speaker at graduation. She was instrumental in helping us secure funding for our wind turbine and has been an ardant supporter of MTI. She has recently joined a Washington, D.C. law firm but still commutes frequently to South Dakota. |
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SkillsUSA News
SkillsUSA Care Package Fundraiser a Success
Wednesday, December 15th, SkillsUSA members assembled and delivered 102 care packages to students at the North, South and ETC campuses.
The lucky 102 students who received a package found all kinds of goodies in them: popcorn, pop tarts, candy, granola bars, hot chocolate, rice krispie bars, lemonade, chips,etc. The packages each included a special note from their parent(s) with a "keep up the good work, hang in there, thinking of you" kind of message. The proceeds from the fundraiser will be used for travel expenses to the National SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City this summer.
SkillsUSA Competition Held at MTI
The SkillsUSA State Leadership & Skills Conference was held at MTI on April 7 and 8, 2011. The event was a huge success with more than 300 secondary and post-secondary contestants participating from across the state. Participants were involved in one of more than 30 different contest areas including Architectural Drafting, Cabinetmaking, Computer Maintenance, Culinary Arts, Extemporaneous Speaking, Medical Terminology, Motorcycle Service Technology, Residential Wiring, TeamWorks and many others. MTI students ended the conference with outstanding results, with a total of 38 students receiving 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in their contest area. First place finalists will have the opportunity to attend Nationals in Kansas City this June.
MTI SkillsUSA Chapter Completes Community Service Project
The SkillsUSA chapter at MTI has adopted an access area at Lake Mitchell. This Access Area needs to be cleaned a couple of times a year.
About 10 students and Advisor Gregg Neppl were at the access area on Tuesday May 3rd known as Franks Bay Access, Fishing Dock. They raked, cut undergrowth, and picked up garbage. This was one of several Community Service projects for their chapter.
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MTI Ranks High Nationwide in Growth
Mitchell Technical Institute has been included on a new nationwide list of two-year public colleges with the fastest-growth enrollment. Community College Week magazine ranked colleges based on enrollment size and growth.
MTI is ranked 13th of the list of the Top 50 Fastest-Growth Public Two-Year Colleges from Fall 2008 to Fall 2009 at schools with enrollment under 2500 students. Enrollment in Fall 2008 was 756 and it grew to 1,004 in 2009, a 33 percent increase.
Overall, South Dakota ranked fourth on the list for percentage of change in total enrollment at two-year public community and technical colleges. An 18% increase occurred from 2008 to 2009. |
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Scholarships Help Students
New Scholarship Announced
The MTI Admissions Dept. has announced the establishment of a new scholarship called MTI EDGE. The scholarship will be available for all accepted incoming students each Spring and will be credited to their account in the Fall semester. The application period will be during the month of March each year. Applicants will be required to complete the online Freshman application and provide an online reference as instructed. Ten scholarships at $500 will be distributed.
Spring Scholarship Promotion Hosted by Foundation
The MTI Foundation promoted the Spring Scholarship application period of Feb. 14 through March 14 by hosting a "Scholarship Trivia" contest Feb. 7 to 11. In an effort to educate the students about the scholarship opportunities available, two questions were sent out each day via email about scholarships listed on the website. The first student to email the correct answer received a $25 gift card. Trivia winners were Thomas Sowell, Jr., Casandra Goldammer, Tyler Wagner, Boyd Reimnitz, Rachael Riggs, Tyler Jensen, Mosheh Mitchum, Amber Schoenfelder, Jordan Stahl and Jennifer Anshutz.
When the application period ended, there were 72 completed scholarship applications with some students qualifying for as many as four different scholarships. There were fifteen scholarships available during this period with over $21,000 in funds to be disbursed.
Spring, 2011 Scholarship Awards
Several MTI students enrolled in the Energy Programs have received financial assistance through the donations of scholarship funds from friends and industry supporters of MTI.
The following scholarships were awarded in the spring of 2011: Nathan Sime $1000 PL SD Line Superintendents
Alex Nudd $1000 PL SD Line Superintendents
Gary Naescher $1000 PL SD Line Superintendents
Derek Miles $500 PL SD Line Superintendents
Dan Norby $750 PL SD Line Superintendents
Nathan Sime $500 PL Mark & Kathy Hofer Scholar.
Jayme Juhnke $750 PL East River Electric Power Coop.
Alex Nudd $500 PL Bartels Endowment
Timothy Mickelson $500 WTT Mark & Kathy Hofer
Larmie Baker $250 PL Northwestern Energy
Edward Boehmer $250 SCADA Northwestern Energy
Caleb Mulligan $250 PNG Northwestern Energy
Sam Sletten $250 WTT Northwestern Energy
Nick Hauck $500 WTT Xcel Energy
Dennis Wubben $500 SCADA Xcel Energy
The scholarship funds provided by friends and industry are a valuable opportunity for MTI students to receive financial support. On behalf of the MTI Staff and Foundation we thank you for this support.
Hofer Scholarship Winner
Nathan Sime, Revillo
(Left to right): Dean Nelson, West Central Electric; Mike Kelly, Northern Electric; Nathan Sime, Rob Vetch, FEM Electric; Lynn Kruse, Dakota Energy; and Brian Bultje, Central Electric.
Line Superintendent's Winners
(Left to right): Gary Naescher, Rapid City; Derek Miles, Montrose; Alex Nudd, Belle Fourche; Dan Norby, Madison; and Nathan Sime, Revillo.
Superintendents on the
committee are Kruse,
Nelson, Kelly, Bultje,
and Vetch
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Thank you!
Scholarships
* SD Line Superintendents
* Mark and Kathy Hofer, PL and WTT
* East River Electric Power Coop.
* Bartels Family Endowment
* Northwestern Energy
* Xcel Energy
Guest Speakers:
* Jeff Peltier - PowerMation
* Scott Bredehoft - GS Systems
* Dan Meyer - Baldwin Automation & Controls
Tour Opportunities:
* Lake Norden Cheese Plant
Program Support: * Daryl and Teri Thomas - PNG
Supplies: * J D Concrete - Concrete Pads * Southeastern Electric - Hot trailer and wire * Central Electric - Underground Wire * Excel Energy - Battery & Manual Operated Crimpers * East River Electric - Transformers and OCR's * Crow Lake Wind Farm - Wire
This list represents donations which have been received by MTI and the MTI Foundation. Please accept our apologies if we have inadvertently left something off the list. Please notify the MTI Foundation office if your donation is not on this list and we will acknowledge it in a future edition. |
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Congratulations to Our Students
SkillsUSA Winners:
James Kyle Anderson (SCADA II) Extemporaneous Speaking - 1st
Sam Sletten (WTT II) Job Interview - 1st
The ninth annual MTI Student Recognition Event was held Friday, May 6, at the Pepsi-Cola Theatre for the Performing Arts. This event is held each year to recognize any students in any program who have been recognized for certifications, awards or other recognition. |
MTI Alumni Association Hosts "Beyond Graduation" Seminars
March 23 and 24 the MTI Alumni Association hosted "Beyond Graduation " seminars at the Main Campus and Tech Center. The seminars were open to any students graduating from MTI on May 6th. The seminars offered tips on Accepting the Job Offer, Insurance, 401K, Benefits, Finances, Housing, Licenses, Credit Cards,
 | | Ethan Teveldal |
Passports, Health Providers, Cell Phone Tips, Taxes and Community Services. Sixty-four students attended the presentations.
The Alumni Association gave away a 32" TV and 2 gifts cards at each location. The winners of the TV's were Ethan Teveldal (ECM) and Wendall Kuipers (Ag. Tech.)
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MTI Students Give to the
Community
* SRB (Student Representative Board), SkillsUSA and SVO (Student Veterans Org.) helped with the late March Love Feast at the First United Methodist Church.  They helped package 175+ meals for d
elivery, served approximately 100 meals, socialized with patrons and helped clean up.
SRB provided milk for the meal and donated $175 from their Culver's Frozen Custard Fundraiser. SVO donated an additional $100.
* Med. Lab Tech. and Med. Asst. programs volunteered at the Chamber Health and Wellness Fair. Students performed free blood glucose tests. Avera QOP, Walgreens and the Medicine Shoppe donated testing strips. About 150 tests were performed.
* MTI SkillsUSA collected food and household items for the Salvation Army during the National SkillsUSA Week.
* MTI collected a total of 153 units of blood during the January blood drive. This means 459 lives will be saved. Another 42 units were collected in March at the Main Campus.
* SRB hosted a Christmas party for children of MTI students and staff.
* ECM students helped the Abbott House with clean-up and removal of electrical service used for the December Festival of Lights.
* Med. Asst. students and instructors helped with Exploration Days, Community Health Fair and SkillsUSA contest. They provided blood pressure clinics for Modern Woodman and did a hepatitis vaccine clinic for Med. Asst. and Med. Lab. students.
* Culinary Academy students each provided 20 hours of community service during the second semester to fulfill Community Service program components.
These and many other projects throughout the year demonstrate the value of service and volunteerism to students and help give back to the community. |
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Contact Us! Propane Natural Gas - Dan Hoeffner 605-995-7301 SCADA - Tony Russell 605-995-7230
- Dan Fergen 605-995-7229
Wind Power - Stacey Eddy 605-995-7300
- Jeff Crain 605-995-7307
- Dan DeFries 605-995-7308
Power Line - Mike Puetz 605-995-7305
- Tom Osborne 605-995-7306
- Duane Stahl 605-995-7302
Heather Lentz, Sheryl Plagmann
Foundation Director Alumni and Donor Relations 605-995-7227 605-995-7119
Mitchell Technical Institute
821 North Capital
Mitchell, South Dakota 57301 |
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| Our Wish List |
MTI Energy-related programs are in need of the following items:
SCADA:
Smart metering and
smart grid equipment
Propane Natural Gas:
* Poly pipe scraps
* Odorometer
* Pilot Loaded
Regulators
Wind Turbine Technology:
* Failed parts for visual aids and trouble-shooting
* Gear boxes and drives
* Electric motors
* Electronic Boards
(functioning or non-functioning)
* Electronic components
* Funding for scholarships
If you or your organization are able to assist us in acquiring these items please contact the MTI Foundation Office or the program instructor.
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Summer Academies to be Held at MTI
Who can attend? Any high school sophomore or junior for the 2011/2012 school year.
Communications Engineering Academy
10 a.m. Monday, June 20 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 21.
The Academy is an annual career exploration event designed to give high school sophomore and juniors hands-on experiences in several communications and computer-related areas including telecommunications, data cabling, networking, electronics, and MTI Engineering Technologies programs: Telecom-munications, Computer Systems Technology, Office Technology Specialist, Satellite Communications and Automation Controls/SCADA.
Energy Production and Transmission Academy
10 a.m. Tuesday, June 21 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 22. Demand for clean energy has never been greater. Bringing energy to our communities and our homes, efficiently, cleanly, and cost-effectively will be the job of the next generation of energy technicians. Energy workers are in demand in every state and on every continent. At this academy you will participate in the following MTI programs: Power Line Construction & Maintenance, Propane & Natural Gas Technologies, Wind Turbine Technology and Automation Controls/SCADA.
What is the cost for these academies? $25 per session which includes the camp, meals, lodging, and an evening activity. All meals and lodging will be provided at a local hunting lodge.
Can I call MTI with more questions? Absolutely! Call 800-684-1969 and ask for Scott Fossum, Central Area Tech Prep Coordinator. |
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