PHSC Hosts Valentine’s Day Ribbon Cutting for Renovated Welding Center

Dr. Jesse Pisors, PHSC President, offered up the joke during his opening remarks at the ribbon-cutting of the state college’s newly renovated Welding Center on February 14. The celebration was held at the school’s East, and incidentally the oldest, campus in Dade City.

It was not your average grand opening, either. After comments by various faculty members, PHSC Welding Program Director Scott Flannery and instructor Jordan Davis burned through a red “ribbon” of steel with welding torches—a fitting way to christen the freshly minted complex.

By design, the upgraded center will enable PHSC to prepare more students to enter the burgeoning field of manufacturing and address the growing need for welders while providing “a safer and more modern learning environment,” stated a press release from the college.

The enhancements include additional welding booths, which the school notes were built by instructors and students. This saved the school precious funds and increased the previous number of these stations by 50 percent from 16 to 24.

Matheson Gas also provided the program with a Miller Welding Simulator and all-new “Miller welding machines” with ventilation systems. Mr. Flannery explained just how this technology will aid the college’s students:

“With the new Miller snorkel ventilation system, the fume extraction is superb in keeping harmful fumes from our students and instructors,” he said. “It is incredibly quiet, aiding us in the ability to broadcast information clearly during welding lessons while being in the lab.”

Since its inception, the welding program has grown from an enrollment of 15 students to graduating up to 90 per year. Those who have matriculated through the curriculum are making good use of their education, too, as many have gained employment in high-paying positions in the field.

“This welding shop has been a real jewel,” added Dennis Feltwell, PHSC Campus Provost. “There is constantly a waiting list to be here, and space became a real concern.” President Pisors called it “one of the best welding training facilities in the state.”

Retired PHSC instructor Terry Sumner was instrumental in the school’s welding program getting off the ground nearly 50 years ago. He thanked the late Dean of Student Services, Bob Judson, for being “a great mentor” and explained how the curriculum grew from a night class in the gymnasium to the instructional pillar it is today.

“Back then, the program, it was rough,” said Mr. Sumner “It was hard getting started […] When I started down here, we had seven machines […] we were just struggling to make things work. So, I suggested, well, why don’t we expand and bring machines from the other campuses where the program wasn’t happening […] we opened up an open entry program, and the classes just went nuts.”

Following an overhaul of the program, the curriculum has become more “streamlined,” Feltwell added. So, students are able to become AWS (American Welding Society) Certified, completely finished with the program, and “have a marketable skill” in the span of a year. This is especially useful with a projected 82,000 welding positions through 2028, Flannery noted.

At the ribbon cutting, the welding program coordinator also honored a former student of his who passed away last year, Ben Nichols. Flannery presented one of 200 large metal puzzle pieces, which the student had cut out for a project before his passing, to his parents on Friday.

“We had a student here […] was a very talented guy […] No matter what it was, [Nichols] was one of the first ones to jump in,” said Flannery.

At 52 years old, PHSC is the youngest of the 28 Florida state colleges. It boasts nearly 10,000 students, as well as five campuses and two additional locations.

Some of their students are full-time while others may attend online part-time, but “all of them are working to improve their opportunities for their families and for their community,” Dr. Pisors said. “We are so proud of our students.”