FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Weaver, Melony Ritter
(501) 760.6410 office
press@np.edu
May 10, 2016
WELDING SERVICE PROJECT BENEFITS VA CLINIC
Hot Springs, Arkansas – Students in the National Park College (NPC) Welding program designed and fabricated an iron bench that they donated to the Central Arkansas Veteran’s Health Care System’s (CAVHS) Hot Springs Community Based Outpatient Clinic. A dedication ceremony was held today. Dr. John Hogan introduced Michael Dobbs, Chief of Voluntary Services for CAVHS. Also in attendance was Anita Deason, Military and Veteran Services Representative for Senator John Boozman; Courtland Sykes, Military and Veteran Services Representative for Congressman Bruce Westerman; Judge Rick Davis, Senator Bill Sample; Stanley Bee, Veteran Services Officer for Garland County, and representatives from the Hot Springs Village VFW Post 10483.
Student artists, Casey White and Chris Smith shared how they designed and fabricated
the bench as part of their required service-learning project this semester in their
Welding Layout and Fabrication course. The students used gas metal arc welding (GMAW)
to complete the project, which required more than 100 hours of labor. The bench was
created using welds to look like wooden logs and branches. An American flag waves
across the seat back. Each line was individually welded then flattened with a grinder
to create the wood grain. To create the depth of the grain, the artists used several
layers of different paint shades.
Welding Instructor, Joey Poole said, “I require students to complete a service learning
project of their choice each semester. I always enjoy watching the creativity they
put into their work, but this project is a true work of art.”
Dobbs shared his excitement to receive the donation on behalf of the veterans and presented the students with a CAVHS challenge coin as a token of appreciation to honor the work they put into the project.
A VA spokesperson stated, “CAVHS is honored and excited to receive this exceptional piece of craftsmanship in dedication to our Veterans. The care and labor put into this work by the students will be greatly appreciated by all who see it. ”
NPC VA Coordinator, Nathan Looper shared his appreciation for the students’ hard work and presented them with a certificate. Both students are graduating this week from the welding program and have already secured employment with Iron Designs, a custom metalwork shop in Hot Springs.
Photo: NPC Welding students Chris Smith (left), Casey White (right) and instructor Joey Poole (center) with the veteran’s service project they created for their Welding Layout and Fabrication course.
