Success Stories: Lonnie Arthur (Computer-Integrated Machining)
WPCC Prepares Student Lonnie Arthur for New Career
Morganton, NC — Like many other Burke County residents, Western Piedmont Community College student Lonnie Arthur is preparing for a new career by returning to college.
“I came to Western Piedmont in the early 1990’s to complete a degree to become an electrician,” said Arthur. “But I moved out of state and for the next 19 years, I worked in auto sales, auto parts sales and adhesive tape manufacturing.”
Arthur found his time with Adhesives Research in Glen Rock, Pa. to be fulfilling. “The medical tape division where I worked developed adhesive tapes for use on burn victims,” he explained. “It was exciting to learn that the new tape developed in our company worked and burn patients improved because of it.”
But when life brought Arthur back to Morganton, he knew he needed to gain a degree to get a better job. “I learned that WPCC has one of the best CNC (computerized numeric control) machining programs anywhere,” Arthur said. “The program’s instructors are great teachers. They are always willing to talk with students and will go out of their way to help any student succeed. Larry Thompson, who is my machinist instructor, is the main reason for my success. Also, my advisor, who is an engineering instructor, gave me the advice I needed when I was planning my college path. I cannot say enough good things about Western Piedmont Community College.”
Arthur is finding success at WPCC in other classrooms, too. His argumentative essay, “Drunk Driving Laws,” was recently selected for inclusion in the textbook, 11 Essentials of Effective Reading and Writing, written by Ann Marie McNeely, WPCC’s dean of developmental education.
With his completion of an Associate in Applied Science degree in Computer-Integrated Machining Technology on the horizon, Arthur is enthusiastic about his classes at WPCC. “I really enjoy school and I don’t want to miss a day!” he shared. “I would like to be here every day—I’d come six days a week! I’m enjoying life again with my wife and family. My instructors want to see me succeed and I’ve found friendship and camaraderie along the way.”
The College’s Computer-Integrated Machining curriculum prepares students with the analytical, creative and innovative skills necessary to take a production idea from an initial concept through design, development and production, resulting in a finished product. Coursework may include manual machining, computer applications, engineering design, computer-aided drafting (CAD), computer-aided machining (CAM), blueprint interpretation, advanced computerized numeric control (CNC) equipment, basic and advanced machining operations, precision measurement and high-speed multi-axis machining. Graduates should qualify for employment as machining technicians in high-tech manufacturing, rapid-prototyping and rapid-manufacturing industries, specialty machine shops, fabrication industries, and high-tech or emerging industries such as aerospace, aviation, medical, and renewable energy, and to sit for machining certification examinations. We invite you to learn more about WPCC’s Computer-Integrated Machining program. To speak with someone about the program, please contact Brandon Hensley, program instructor, at 828-448-3563 or by e-mail at bhensley@wpcc.edu.
You can also get information about becoming a student at WPCC.
Western Piedmont Community College enrolls approximately 4,000 students annually in pursuit of college transfer degrees, two year associate degrees and diplomas. More than 10,000 students enroll each year in continuing education courses for professional development and personal enrichment. The College also provides programs for high school completion. Western Piedmont received recognition for Exceptional Institutional Performance based on standards established by the North Carolina General Assembly.
CONTACT PERSON: LIBBY BARGER, 828-448-3121