Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Opens Strine Dormitory
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Continued from page 1 my father ’ s success . Our lives would have been quite different were it not for Williamson . We feel blessed and honored to be able to help the school that helped us in this manner . If my father were here today this is something he would be doing . He certainly is smiling down on us right now .
“ This is an exciting time to be a part of Williamson . Judy and I are pleased to be able to help Williamson increase its enrollment by 23 , a dream held by the trustees for some time . Because of this dorm , we are able to increase the number of students who come in and , consequently , expand the number of students who graduate . This dorm is helping to increase the enrollment by nearly 25 percent . It ’ s been a goal of ours for sometime to increase the graduation numbers and , eventually , to add new trades to our curriculum .”
Speaking to the entire freshman class who were in attendance , he said “ Hang on because it ’ s worth the trip . When you graduate from Williamson it not only affects you , but your kids and even their kids .”
President Michael Rounds , in his opening remarks , said “ This is an exciting day ; we are celebrating a major milestone in Williamson history . Fourteen months ago we were standing in this same spot for the groundbreaking . For many years we had been dreaming of increasing our student enrollment so more young men could benefit from a
Williamson education . The construction of this dorm has finally made this dream a reality . This dorm will allow us to accept an additional 23 freshmen . The Class of 2W5 is the largest to ever come to Williamson since we began accepting students in 1890 .
“ Every year we turn away a good number of applicants because we don ’ t have space for them . And , every year we turn away many companies at our Career Fairs who want to hire Williamson graduates because there aren ’ t enough graduates to go around . This new dorm will help us alleviate this situation .”
He pointed out that Watson Dorm , named in honor of board chairman Wayne Watson 4W8 , when it was built in 2017 , was the first new dorm since 1912 . It was not built to increase enrollment , but to provide an additional dorm to allow the renovation of the older dorms that needed updating .
“ We thank Bill and Judy Strine for this wonderful , new dorm . Their generosity made the construction of the dorm possible . Not only will an additional 23 young men have the trajectory of their lives shaped forever in a positive way , but there is a ripple effect . They will go out into the world as Williamson Men , with our core values guiding them in all that they do . They will make good husbands and fathers , they will be assets to their communities , and have an exemplary work ethic . But it doesn ’ t end there . Their Williamson legacy will inspire their children to follow in their
Pictured at the Strine Dormitory Ribbon Cutting Ceremony are ( from left to right ): State Congressman Chris Quinn , William Strine , President Michael Rounds , Judith Strine , State Senator John Kane , and Rev . Mark Specht 7W7 .
footsteps and live good lives , and , later , their grandchildren , and on and on . Williamson Men make a positive difference in the world and the more men who benefit from a Williamson education , the bigger positive difference we can make for our communities and our country .”
Guest remarks were given by Pennsylvania state senator John Kane ( 9th District ), who said , “ I was a plumber for 41 years . Every skill you learn will help you get employed . You are being offered an awesome career right here that is going to help you purchase a home , raise a family , and send them to school .”
Pennsylvania state representative Chris Quinn ( 168th District ), in his guest remarks , said he is pleased Williamson is in Middletown Township . “ It ’ s a blessing and is shared by so many . It ’ s because of generous donors like the
Strines .” Chaplain Mark Specht 7W7 gave the invocation and benediction .
In attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony were alumni , representing career mentors , Williamson Association of Alumni ( WAA ) leadership , and 50-year affiliate class committee members .
The dormitory was designed by Kevin Blackney 7W6 , co-owner of Blackey Hayes Architects . He designed the dorm in the style of dorms designed by Frank Furness , maintaining the historical integrity of the campus .
W . S . Cumby Construction , of Springfield , Pa ., built the dormitory with Dave Lucey 0W7 serving as project superintendent .
After the cutting of the ribbon , guests toured the new building and attended a BBQ with the incoming freshman class .
Ron Rinker ’ 85 - Giving Williamson his Time , Talent , and Treasure
Williamson has played an important role in the life of Ron Rinker 8W5 and he has never forgotten it . He has paid it forward with his time , talent , and treasure every chance he ’ s gotten since graduating from the carpentry program .
Rinker said , “ I like helping Williamson be the top trade school in the country and seeing it continue to grow . I believe every graduate should strive to donate every year , even if only a small
Ronald Rinker 8W5 amount . I would like to see the percentage of alumni who give back be greater than it is . Especially the younger graduates , because I think the opportunities they have for employment are better than when I graduated because of the Career Fairs . More companies are finding out about Williamson .”
Rinker is excited about the student body growing and would like to see it grow more so more young men can benefit from a Williamson education .
Over the years , Rinker has been a regular financial supporter of the school and is a member of the Wanamaker Society for including Williamson in his will .
He is a regular attendee at Williamson special events , often helping out , such as doing his part to make the annual Golf Outings a success .
He has been an active alumnus as a class representative and alumni mentor to students . He was recognized for his support with the Alumnus of the Year Award in 2013 .
Rinker has helped Williamson by serving on a capital campaign committee , the Carpentry Program Aadvisory Committee , the Advancement Strategic
Planning Committee , and with fundraising phonathons .
Rinker began his career as a maintenance carpenter for the National Label Co ., a printing company in Lafayette Hills . He then started Rinker and Brown Custom Carpentry in Conshohocken , specializing in residential remodeling and renovation , with his classmate John Brown 8W5 . They mostly do finish carpentry for high-end custom builders and general contractors . The company has grown and now employs 10-12 carpenters ; many of them over the years have been Williamson graduates .
They work for some of the top contractors in the area , including E . B . Mahoney Builders , Shay Construction , Pinemar Inc ., Orian Builders , Ken Cassella Builders , Rabena Brothers Inc ., and W . S . Cumby Construction .
At Williamson , his company installed cabinets in the Lipp Education Center , did trim work at Watson Dorm and C Cottage , and has done various dorm renovation work over the years .
Talking about his Williamson student days , he says “ I truly do not know where I would be today had it not been for Williamson . I learned my trade , a good work ethic , pride in craftsmanship , the discipline needed to get a job done , and gained self-confidence . Also , most of my best friends are from Williamson .”
He and his wife Rebecca live in Conshohocken and have four children .
Rinker umpires Little League games and summer tournament baseball games in West Norriton and has served as president of the West Norriton Little League . He plays in the Plymouth Mens ’ Slow-Pitch Softball League . He and his three sons have formed a new team comprised of mostly young players who played together in Little League . He also has been a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America .
He was born in Mountain View , Calif ., and adopted at birth by Carolyn and Norman Rinker . When Norman passed away 15 months later , Carolyn moved to Conshohocken . When he was 23 , he was reunited with his biological mother and has since had frequent contact with his birth family . “ It was exciting to meet my biological mother , older brother and sisters , and the rest of the family . I ’ m glad to know my history and remain in contact with members of that family .”
He also loves being a part of the Williamson family .