Academics
“There are 711,200 electricians in the U.S., and 761,400 are needed by 2031,” said Clint Myers, an instructional professor in the program. “Their average salary: $60,000. Some employers, like the FAA, pay $80,000 or more. And you can achieve that with a two-year degree.”
Kent Heronimus with Interstates, a 60-year-old company that oversees design-build electrical projects, plant floor automation, and mission-critical operational technology support, came from Minnesota to sign students.
“That’s how serious we take this school,” he said. “We are very familiar with Pitt State’s program and would have as many of their grads as we could get. Their quality is unmatched, and they now work for us as trainers, superintendents, and regional managers.”
Among those he signed: Talon Besendorfer, of Golden City, Missouri, who signed to work for the company’s projects in Kentucky. Like many of the signees, his mom, Chanel, stood with him behind a table draped with the company’s logo in a setting that looked very much like a signing ceremony for athletes.
The event was the brainchild of Clint Myers and Ed Moore, both instructional professors in the program.
“It’s a very exciting day for us, and especially for the students and their families,” Moore said.
Of the 22 students graduating in May, 14 of them earned journeyman certificates — a “big deal,” Myers said.
“These students are going to represent this program well and will make a difference in this trade,” Myers said.
Many parents attended, including local residents Cody and Stephanie Conwell, whose son, Collin, signed a contract with Craw-Kan in Girard.
“It’s great to have a vo-tech program right in your backyard,” Stephanie said. “It’s been a good experience for him and we’re excited for his next step.”
Ryan Sodamann with CDL in Pittsburg, came to the ceremony to sign Brady Barnow and Mason Dice of Chanute, Peyton Amershek of Girard, and Conner Taylor of Frontenac, to full time and internship positions, and to donate materials and tools to the program to help future students train.
“We as a company believe Pitt State produces some of the best grads in the Midwest,” he said.
John Krumme, chair and CEO of Cam-Dex Security Corporation in Kansas City, said the company seeks graduates of the program because they are “well prepared, have a great work ethic, a great attitude, and enter the workforce in a seamless transition.”
“We can’t say enough good things about what they’re doing here,” said Krumme, who came to Pittsburg to sign Cole Wheeler of Chanute.
Also signing for full-time jobs and internships were Ty Nelson of Riley County (Consolidated Electrical Distributors of Joplin, Missouri), Loren Morse of Erie (Day & Zimmerman, headquartered in Pennsylvania), Taylor Torrance of Pittsburg (Jake’s Fireworks of Pittsburg), Karter Dugan of Arma (Amsted Rail based in Chicago), Josh Vanatta of Humboldt (Interstates), and Luke Anibal of Jasper, Missouri (Interstates).
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