Holmquist and Alisic - Lead ANC's American Welding Society Student Chapter Meetings

 

The Spring 2025 semester marked an exciting milestone at Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC) with the launch of our first-ever American Welding Society (AWS) Student Chapter. Bringing together aspiring welders and fabricators from across campus, the chapter wasted no time diving into hands-on projects that pushed their creativity, collaboration, and technical skills.

Throughout the semester, students voted on two fabrication projects to tackle: a custom-designed fire pit and a coal forge. These real-world builds challenged students to apply classroom knowledge in a practical setting, strengthening their understanding of blueprint reading, layout, fabrication, and teamwork.

The fire pit, designed with six equal-length sides, became a lesson in geometric precision and template fabrication. Meanwhile, the coal forge project offered a different kind of challenge—requiring students to plan and assign responsibilities across various components. This collaborative approach enabled significant progress in a short time and allowed students to experience the planning and execution process often seen in real-world welding jobs.

These projects reflect the AWS Student Chapter's commitment to experiential learning and workforce readiness. Despite the setbacks, students walked away with new skills, insights, and a deeper appreciation for the welding trade.

Special thanks to our dedicated instructors and industry partner, Lexicon, who helped make this semester a success and paved the pathway to becoming the Northeast Arkansas Chapter for the American Welding Society. We look forward to more fabrication adventures and completed projects in the semesters ahead!