For Immediate Release: February 28, 2014
Contact: James Garner
Ozarc Gas and ASUN-Jonesboro Hold FifthAnnual Weldathon
JONESBORO, AR (2-28-2014) —More than 45 students from 17 area high schools and vocational colleges converged on the Jonesboro campus of Arkansas State University-Newport recently for the fifth-annual Northeast Arkansas Weldathon, hosted by ASUN and Ozarc Gas.
The mission of the Northeast Arkansas Weldathon is to enhance the image of welding as a profession and career choice for high school students and to raise their awareness of the opportunities and career paths available in the welding and metal fabricating industry. To that end, a welding technology expo featuring the latest technology in welding equipment, programmable plasma cutting and robotic weldingwas held at this year’s NEA Weldathon, in conjunction with a job fair attended by some of the regions’ largest employers.
Over $20,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded to area high school welding programs and students. The contest portion of the Weldathon provides the competitors with the opportunity to demonstrate, through practical application, their welding and metal fabrication skills by building a basic project. This year’s project was an oxy-fuel cylinder cart, past year’s projects have included welding tables and equipment carts. Competitors were graded on safety and skills in MIG welding, and fabrication, including layout and fit-up of materials.
In the high school division, Paragould High School took top honors, followed by Newport and Sloan-Hendrix. Finishing first in the vocational college division was Pemiscot County Career and Technical Center. Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center finished in second place, with Arkansas Northeastern Technical Center placing third.
Platinum sponsors for the Weldathon were Arkansas State University-Newport, Ozarc Gas and Equipment, American Railcar Industries, Inc., Nucor Hickman Steel, Nucor Yamato Steel, The Workforce Training Consortium, Ace Industrial Products, Victor Technologies, Fronius USA and Lincoln Electric. Additional sponsorships were provided by Bernard Welding, Esab Welding an Cutting, Norton Abrasives, Select Arc Tubular Wires, Tillman Protective Clothing and Weldsafe, Inc.
“It’s exciting to co-host the Fifth Annual NEA Weldathon and to celebrate this milestone in the competition’s history with our largest competitor and exhibitor turnout to date,” said James Garner, Regional Manager for Ozarc Gas. “I take great pride in the fact that not only have we awarded useful welding equipment and gear to local high schools and students,but that over a third of the students who participated in today’s event earned scholarship aid toward a college education here at Arkansas State University Newport.”
"We are extremely thankful to our sponsors, Ozarc Gas and our students and staff at the ASUN-Jonesboro campus," said Ken Beach, Instructor of Welding at ASUN. "It takes a great deal of effort and time to make this event run smoothly, and without all of them, none of this would be possible."
Additional High Schools also competing in the NEA Weldathon were Manila, Piggott, Westside, Rector, Riverside, Buffalo Island Central, Valley View, Marked Tree, Gosnell, Brookland and Walnut Ridge. All students participating in the competition receive a gift bag of welding, safety and promotional items, compliments of the event’s sponsors.
Ozarc Gas Equipment and Supply, Inc. is the longest privately held, independently owned and operated welding supply company in Missouri. Founded in 1945, Ozarc Gas distributes industrial, medical, specialty and welding gases, equipment and supplies from 8 strategically located locations in Southeast Missouri, Northeast Arkansas and Western Kentucky. For more information on Ozarc Gas, visit us at Follow us on Twitter at @OzArcGas.
Arkansas State University Newport is a degree granting community college with campuses in Jonesboro, Marked Tree and Newport, Arkansas. For more information about what is going on at ASU-Newport, visit ASUN’s Facebook page at where you will find news and photos highlighting achievements and events at all three campuses. Follow us on Twitter at @ASUNewport for quick information about what is going on at ASUN.
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