|
Greetings and best wishes from Williamson !
The start of the 2022-2023 academic year on August 31st was an event we have been looking forward to for many years . It marked an important milestone in our strategic goal of increasing enrollment as we welcomed the Williamson Class of 2025 this past August . Williamson is working hard to offer a Williamson education to more young men than ever before . The world needs more “ Williamson Men ” and we are working hard to make this dream a reality for more of the over 400 young men that apply every year .
Looking back to the end of the 2021- 2022 academic year , Joe Wesley helped send the Class of 2W2 into the work world as “ Williamson Men ” as the keynote speaker at the 129th Commencement on the Betty and Russell 5W0 Harvey Field in June . Joe asked me to read his remarks for him while he and his wife Marion stood near me because he felt such deep emotion about his life ’ s journey and his love of Williamson . He was afraid he would become too emotional to deliver the speech . I was honored to read his speech for him and as I read his words , I found myself choking up . His story is amazing and touching . At the conclusion of the speech , I had the pleasure of presenting him with an honorary Williamson associate in specialized technology degree which made him very proud and is something he treasures .
I am so proud of the Class of 2W2 for sticking with their Williamson journey through the pandemic and overcoming many unexpected challenges before making it to graduation . I know they will continue to make us all very proud as they go out into the world of work .
As we have come to expect , our seniors did very well in their job searches . For the first time at Commencement , as I read the name of each graduate , I included the name of the company where he would be working - every one of them had already committed to a job . Most had multiple offers to choose from !
A great new addition to our campus is a beautiful capstone project completed by our horticulture seniors this past spring . It is an elaborate patio behind the Lipp Center that adds to the beauty of the campus and provides a place for students to recreate , socialize , and relax . The project not only gave them the opportunity to use the skills they have acquired in their three years at Williamson , but provided an opportunity to learn new skills related to project management . This project will be here as long as Williamson exists providing
|
students , faculty and staff , and alumni , a place to gather .
The project includes several patios , a place to play cornhole , a fire pit , and places to sit . A nearby small storage building was renovated by carpentry students and contains an overhanging roof for shelter from the rain . 2W2 ’ s class gift , an elaborate grill , will sit on a brick and block base constructed by our masonry students , providing a nice place to have cookouts .
Our students continued to excel in their SkillsUSA competitions . Six students won gold medals at the state competitions this spring . The state gold medalists then competed at nationals in Atlanta , Georgia , in June where Aaron Tallman 2W2 won a gold medal in CNC competition , and Ryan Fallon 2W2 won a bronze medal in masonry . Our students continue to show that the trade skills they learn here are among the best in the country . Special thanks to Masonry Director Pete Zwolak for running this program and for all the shop faculty that facilitate this great competition for us every year !
We received some very nice national exposure this year when the popular PBS television program “ This Old House ” aired a 5-minute segment on Williamson in March . What an amazing opportunity for the entire country to learn about Williamson !
Another piece of national attention came when a recently released book , “ After the Ivory Tower Falls , How College Broke the American Dream and Blew Up Our Politics-And How To Fix It ,” was published by Harper Collins Publishers . Authored by Will Bunch , an award-winning opinion columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer , the book specifically praised our school . Regarding Williamson , he writes “… just because there are few - if any - schools quite like Williamson in America doesn ’ t mean we shouldn ’ t be thinking about how to clone it .” He also cited our very successful Career Fairs , with more employers and jobs available than Williamson graduates to fill them , as proof we are filling a much-needed role for America .
As we began the 2022-2023 academic year in August with the arrival of the new freshman class , we were able to mark an important milestone in the strategic goal of expanding enrollment . We held the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Judith B . and William B . Strine Dormitory during the freshman ’ s First Year Experience ( FYE ) on August 19th with the entire new freshman class in attendance . This wonderful new dorm is now home to 24 seniors . It was especially significant to have our new freshmen attend the ribbon cutting because
|
the Class of 2W5 includes 124 students - the largest freshman class in school history . We thank our long serving trustee Bill Strine and his wife Judy for their generous gift .
Another important step in accommodating the expanded enrollment was the newly completed Thomas and Agnes Heenan Chapel Mezzanine in the Clara Schrenk Memorial Chapel . The mezzanine holds 50 people and renovations to the front of the chapel will provide seating for an additional 25 . This wonderful project was made possible by John and Bernadette Heenan , long-time supporters of Williamson .
The new academic year also marks the start of our newest trade - the Electrical Program . Twenty freshmen began the new year enrolled in the electrical program , which is our first new trade program in nearly 30 years . Over 100 applicants selected electrical as their first choice during the admissions process , which tied carpentry as the most popular program choice this year .
In addition to the new electrical program , the other five programs upgraded their curriculum , shop equipment , and technology to ensure that our graduates remain in high demand in the job market .
We have been watching with great anticipation as the construction of the Joseph L . and Marion M . Wesley Student Center nears completion . It has been very exciting to watch this building rise from the ground into a magnificent structure . We cut the ribbon on January 17 , 2023 the first day of the spring semester with the Wesley family , students , staff , and faculty in attendance .
The Wesley Student Center will become a focal point of student activities , with its location on the hill overlooking the Betty and Russ 5W0 Harvey Athletic Field . Part of this construction project includes new bleachers for watching sporting events and improved field lighting for evening activities which we have been able to enjoy during the fall sports and intramural season . We can ’ t thank Joseph and Marion Wesley enough for their very generous gift that is providing this amazing facility for our students ’ use for generations to come .
As we continue to bring in a larger freshman class in the future , we will need additional dorm space by the fall of 2024 . To provide this space , we will be building a triple dorm housing 74 students . The new dorm will be named the Howley Dorm in recognition of the $ 7 million commitment by the Howley Foundation , which provides 70 percent of the needed funds . We plan to break
|
ground this spring and have the new Howley Dorm in operation when the 2024-2025 academic year begins .
Our new Williamson Association of Alumni , known as the WAA , had a successful launch this summer . The goal of the WAA is to get more alumni engaged in their alma mater by being an active part of the Williamson family . We hope the WAA will not only get more alumni back on campus , but the administration will be welcoming their suggestions on additional alumni special events and activities in the future .
Williamson continues to grow and improve , but we could not do it without the help of those who believe in our mission . I want you to know that we deeply appreciate the support and dedication of all who allow our school to meet its mission each day , whether you are an alumnus , friend , corporation , or foundation . Whether you give to the Williamson Fund , our endowment , or capital projects , or join the Wanamaker or Legacy Societies , you are making a significant difference in the lives of our young men . Your generosity with your time , talent , and treasure are what keeps Williamson moving forward . On behalf of Williamson College of the Trades , I thank each one of you . Because of you , Williamson continues to make a difference in the lives of these young men .
In closing , I want you to know that Mary Nell and I feel as honored and blessed to be part of this amazing team of faculty and staff here at Williamson as we did when we first arrived . We enjoy serving with a dedicated and talented team that works hard every day to keep Williamson moving forward in a world that so desperately needs Williamson men . Thank you being a part of this great Williamson mission ! We ask for your continued prayers and support and hope to see you on campus soon . May God continue to bless you and Williamson College of the Trades !
For Williamson ! Michael J . Rounds , P . E .
|