Congratulations 2024 Graduates

The caps were ready with tassels in place, robes were pressed, and diplomas were on hand May 11^th for Ranken Technical College’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony held at Chaifetz Arena. Members of the Board of Trustees, Administration, Faculty and Staff shared their well wishes as hundreds of students from across our locations crossed the stage to receive their well-earned diplomas.

Marilyn Bush with President Don Pohl

We were honored to have

Marilyn Bush, President of Bank of America St. Louis,

serve as Commencement Speaker. She is a well-respected brand ambassador and community leader in St. Louis as well as throughout the state of Missouri, and shared words of encouragement and praise in recognition of the students' hard work, dedication, and drive.

Students ready to take the stage

Several students graduated wearing different colored cords and stoles with their robes, representing varying degrees of academic honors and skills.

Red, white, and blue cords for Military (active and veterans,) gold stole for Phi Theta Kappa, silver cords for Cum Laude (3.5-3.74,) gold cords for Magna Cum Laude (3.75-3.89,) and white cords for Summa Cum Laude (3.9-4.0.)

David Ranken, Jr. Award Winner Logan Randazzo with President Don Pohl

Among the grads was Logan Randazzo, the David Ranken Jr. award recipient, an honor given to the student who embodies the founder’s determination, belief in strong work ethic, and dedication to their craft. Randazzo graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology program with the highest GPA of the class (4.0.) He is a multi-scholarship recipient thanks to the Dennis M. Jones Family Foundation, Bridgeton Kiwanis, and Strippgen Education Foundation.

True to Ranken form, Logan was work-ready and is a full-time

Service Technician at Thermal Refrigeration Inc.

Golden Graduates Celebrated

Also included in the graduation ceremony was a unique twist… two of this year’s graduating class were joined by their grandfathers who were honored at the Golden Graduate ceremony earlier in the day. The Golden Graduate honorary breakfast and ceremony recognized those alumni celebrating their 50-year or more graduation anniversary. This time-honored tradition allows these special graduates to reconnect with former classmates, share Ranken memories, and reminisce with their families and friends who joined them for the ceremony. This year’s Golden Graduate class included the following:

Darrel Cooper: 1974, Diesel Maintenance Technology
Terry Forst: 1974 Truck and Heavy Equipment
Tom Jokerst: 1969 Communications Electronic Technology
Gary Jones: 1965, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Technology
John Jordan: 1962, Industrial Electricity/Electronics Technology
Ray Madsen: 1974, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology
Kevin Smith: 1973, Diesel Maintenance Technology
Philip Throm: 1974, Carpentry and Building Construction Technology
Chuck Watson: 1974, Mechanical Drafting
Gary Wibbenmeyer: 1974, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration Technology
Carl Woodcock: 1974, Industrial Electricity/Electronics Technology

Golden Graduate Gary Jones celebrated grandson Joseph Anthony Papa III who followed in his footsteps in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology program.

Golden Graduate John Jordan joined in celebrating his grandson Hunter Riley’s graduation from the Control Systems Technology program.

For all of our graduates, past and present, congratulations!

Check out more pictures HERE.

And be sure to stay in touch with Ranken by clicking HERE to update your information and share your thoughts about your Ranken experience.

Barb Nelson, Ranken President Don Pohl, and Eric Nelson posing with scholarship recipients

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT:

ERIC NELSON

Barb Nelson describes her husband Eric Nelson as a “Have Hammer, Will Travel” kind of man, and truer words haven’t been spoken. They first met at a Normandy Methodist church youth group. He was a few years older, but as he explains: “it worked out alright, she was 15/16 going on 18, and I was 20/21 going on 18.” They will have been married 60 years come June 2024. As you can tell, Mr. Nelson has stories to share.

Eric Nelson, a 1954 graduate of Ranken, comes by his love of carpentry honest. He grew up in a family who liked - and likes - to work with their hands. His grandfather was a self-taught carpenter who never touched a “power tool.” His toolbox, a family heirloom of sorts that Mr. Nelson keeps at his home, is filled with cherished, classic hand tools that can still get the job done. He’s a native of St. Louis and graduate of Normandy High School, has boundless energy, and it seems like he always has. Initially wanting to work in the forestry industry, he found his way to Ranken where at the time it cost $18 a semester to attend, and you had to build your own toolbox. Something his grandfather surely would have appreciated. He learned to build a complete structure in the carpentry shop, and then tear it down due to union regulations. Times have changed. The carpentry shop is still in the same location on campus, but students are out in the field and making a difference.

Mr. Nelson didn’t immediately start in the carpentry industry, he joined the Army, then became an accountant which he described as “very boring.” The hammer called again, and he met a fellow office worker named Bob Cassilly Sr. who was handy with concrete. The great oil crisis of 1973 hit, and they were both let go at the same time and decided to start their own firm: Cassilly Nelson Construction. Countless buildings (including two of his own homes built with his own hands,) special projects, adventures later… Mr. Nelson shows no sign of slowing down.

Eric and Barb are members of the David Ranken, Jr. Legacy Society, which was formed in 2001. It includes individuals who have followed founder David Ranken’s example by including Ranken in their estate. They have their scholarship as well, the “Eric and Barb Nelson Scholarship,” supporting students from the Normandy school district.

They have embraced and supported the mission for decades. “They had given so much to me, I wanted to give back to them,” said Mr. Nelson. “We have always been so impressed with their focus on ethics, and how important it is to have a strong work ethic,” said Mrs. Nelson.

“Do you know what the quote is over the door in the entrance to the main building?” Mr. Nelson asked, “He that hath a trade hath an estate.” That is the motto Mr. Nelson lives by, and his legacy of philanthropy, talent, and tradesmanship is what it means to be Ranken material.

It was his grandfather’s love of carpentry that first sparked Mr. Nelson’s interest back when he was only 13 years old. Mr. Nelsons’ father and grandfather built the family’s first log cabin in 1931, just outside of Jefferson City. The unique structure was built out of old telephone poles which were stripped by locals, loaded onto carts, and hauled up to the build site by mules.

The original cabin site has expanded from 13 acres to 135 acres, with a stunning cabin built by Mr. Nelson, his cousins, and friends in 1964… the same year he and Barb married. His carpentry instructor, Mr. William Wagner, was a huge influence and taught him Ranken’s traditions of strong work ethic and dedication and pride in the craft. He got to share the stage with his mentor in 2007 as a member of the top 100 Ranken People during the centennial celebration of the institution’s founding.

Ranken Scholarship Lunch Brings Supporters and Students Together

Ranken welcomed scholarship donors and student recipients to a special luncheon in April to connect these generous funders with the students they are supporting as they embark on their educational journey.

Dozens of organizations and businesses, family foundations, and individual philanthropists sat with students and Ranken faculty and staff to learn how their support impacts hundreds of students annually.

Through the generous support of scholarship donors, more than 300 students have received more than $1,000,000 in privately funded student scholarships this academic year!

We want to thank the five scholarship recipient students who addressed the crowd, sharing their career goals and focus:

Brianna Ross, Automotive Collision Repair Technology

Jatavic Winston, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Technology

Terran Oliphant, Architectural Technology

Darren Kuhn, Electrical Automation Technology

Ibrahim Alabassi, Architectural Technology

Student speakers with Ranken President Don Pohl

If you or your business would like to learn more about supporting Ranken students through scholarships, please contact Brien McCarthy, Director of Major Gifts at bmccarthy@ranken.edu or call 314-286-3602.

Post jobs on Ranken Connection at ranken-csm.symplicity.com

For more information, contact careerservices@ranken.edu or call 314-286-3665

Emerson expands Ranken Summer Adventure Academies

Ranken’s summer camps provide 250 middle school-aged students the opportunity to experience technical learning in a fun, hands-on environment in a jam-packed week of activity.

Thanks to the support of Emerson, Ranken is excited to offer new and expanded camps that open the world of technical careers to youth. In addition to favorite camps like Summer Racers, Welding, and Woodworking. Ranken is offering new camps in Airbrushing (auto painting), Design and Engineering (machining), and 3-D printing.

Emerson is joining Ranken to promote STEM education to youth, helping to inspire these young people to pursue technical careers!

To learn more about Ranken Summer Camps please click to visit Summer Adventure Academies - Ranken Technical College

Student Showcase Wows Industry Crowd

This spring, Ranken had the privilege of hosting Kimberly Dowdell, the 100th National President of the American Institute of Architects, for an informal conversation on architecture.

In conjunction with her presentation, the Ranken Architectural Technology students showcased their semester-long projects that focused on re-imagining the St. Louis Gateway South District on the river directly south of the Gateway Arch.

Students were tasked with creating buildings within the site to serve as anchors for future development as well as developing a community park with connection points between the site and adjacent neighborhoods.

Approximately 200 industry professionals attended the event, representing 50 different firms. Many of the individuals had never been to the Ranken campus and they were impressed by the venue and quality of work shown.

Click HERE to support Ranken Students

RANKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE

4431 Finney Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63113