ANC Partners with SMS Group to Create Arkansas Steelmaking Academy

Photo (L to R):  Arkansas Northeastern College President Dr. James Shemwell joins Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and Doug Dunworth, President and CEO of SMS Group United States operations on stage Wednesday, January 31st, at an event to formalize the signing of an agreement between the College and the German SMS Group to create the Arkansas Steelmaking Academy which will allow ANC to become its North American training hub.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018. Doug Dunworth, President and CEO of SMS Group’s North American operations, met with Arkansas Northeastern College president Dr. James Shemwell and his staff today to finalize an agreement creating the Arkansas Steelmaking Academy (ASA). The partnership announcement was made during a visit to ANC by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson.

SMS group prides itself on being a leading partner in the world of metals not only in North America but throughout the world. As a family-owned business headquartered in Germany, quality and innovation are staples of its work through the development of individual and modular solutions – whether it is the design of a new plant, modernizations, digitalization, or life-cycle services. SMS’s largest market is steel production. The company provides world-class new equipment and actively supports operations by devising solutions throughout the process from melting and casting to rolling and finishing. With SMS servicing clients such as Nucor Steel, Big River Steel, Tenaris, and TMK-IPSCO locally as well as many other manufacturers across the country, it made sense for the company to consider a proposal by ANC to offer North American-based training centrally located in Arkansas.

“Heretofore, the state-of-the art steel technology training offered through the SMS TECademy has only been available in Germany,” said Shemwell. “By partnering with SMS, the Arkansas Northeastern College can become a satellite training hub for North America as a cost effective way to gain knowledge of cutting edge techniques in steelmaking and processing.” The agreement between ANC and SMS group will allow companies to save the costs of overseas travel by providing a local option for the renowned TECademy training.

Dunworth echoes Dr. Shemwell’s sentiments “We are both pleased and excited about this partnership between ANC and SMS group.  Not only will this help our customer base in North America but the ASA can be a launching point in training the future generations of steelworkers with knowledge in the latest technology in steelmaking and processing.”  

The Arkansas Steelmaking Academy will be housed in the College’s 90,000 square foot Center for Allied Technologies currently under construction. By utilizing the new facility, the ASA will be located in a world-class complex featuring technologically-equipped seminar classrooms and hands-on training laboratories for steel technology.  The Center for Allied Technology is slated to open in August with ASA offerings anticipated to begin in 2019. Arkansas Northeastern College is currently one of very few colleges in the nation offering Steel Industry Technology programs and the only one in the state.

Shemwell noted, “We were proud to have Governor Hutchinson, a champion for economic development in Arkansas, present for today’s unveiling of ASA. The agreement with our SMS colleagues announced today will advance ANC’s capacity as providers of steel technology training to the next level, a global level.”

Osceola Municipal Light & Power Donates $25,000 Toward New ANC Center for Allied Technologies

Osceola Municipal Light & Power presented the Arkansas Northeastern College with a check for $25,000 on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, toward the construction of the College's new Center for Allied Technologies.  Pictured (L to R) Ms. Dorothy Pollock, Osceola City Council Member; Arkansas Northeastern College President Dr. James Shemwell, and Osceola Mayor Dickie Kennemore.

Arkansas Northeastern College’s Center for Allied Technologies project received another boost today as the Osceola Municipal Light & Power Company’s pledge to the facility came to fruition and Mayor Dickie Kennemore presented a check for $25,000 to ANC President Dr. James Shemwell today.

With over 11,000 manufacturing jobs located within Mississippi County, Arkansas, and 3,000 of those jobs in or near the City of Osceola, city officials understand the importance of workforce training and education. Such commitment to workforce development led OML&P to make one of the first pledges toward the ANC Center for Allied Technologies back in 2014.

 “We have major industrial and manufacturing companies located here, and it is extremely important for our workforce to be prepared for such jobs. Arkansas Northeastern College has proven itself as a leader in workforce training and education. We see an investment in ANC as an investment to not only our city, but this region. The new ANC Center for Allied Technologies will enable our local workforce to better train for the types of jobs we have right here at home,” said Osceola Mayor Dickie Kennemore.

For their donation to the new facility, the Osceola Municipal Light & Power Company will have naming rights to the electrical classroom located in the facility.

“The support shown by the Osceola Municipal Light & Power Company in this project represents the kind of countywide partnership that Mississippi County needs if it is going to be successful in the future,” said ANC President Dr. James Shemwell, adding, “Their early backing gave us a sense of validation that what we are trying to do here is crucial to the economic development of the entire county and more. We are so very appreciative of their support.”

Construction of ANC Center for Allied Technologies began in the spring and is scheduled to be completed in time for Fall classes in August 2018.  The facility will provide students with more opportunities to learn in an atmosphere that will simulate real world work environments, where spaces and equipment are designed with the curriculum in mind. This facility will be a focal point for not only the campus, but the community as the 88,000 square foot building will boast beautiful architectural lines with the highest technological advances incorporated into the plans. 

The Center for Allied Technologies, to be located on the ANC Main Campus, will actually decrease the College’s overall facilities by 30,000 square feet by consolidating the Burdette Center, Harry L. Crisp Center, and the Aircraft Metals and Engineering Center—with an estimated costs savings for the College of approximately $100,000 a year in maintenance.  This new facility will feature a headquarters for the College’s customized training force—The Solutions Group, including general purpose classrooms, electrical classroom & lab, mechanical classroom/lab, safety classroom/lab, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Classroom & Laboratory, computer classroom, and large multi-purpose room. Additionally, a world-class welding laboratory will be available for students.

Technical-Secondary Center students from area high schools also will be served by this facility through classroom & laboratories for advanced manufacturing, welding, criminal justice, education, and construction/carpentry.  The design incorporates a computer lab for the Technical-Secondary Center. Also featured is an aircraft complex, combination non-destructive testing (NDT) & composites laboratory, and general purpose classrooms to fully accommodate ANC’s Federal Aviation Administration—certified Aviation Maintenance Program. 

ANC's Emergency Medical Services Program

Mr. Lynn Sikes (left), EMS Program Director/Instructor and Mr. Francis Lewis (right), EMS Instructor at Arkansas Northeastern College are pictured in front of the state-of-the-art ambulance simulator located in the Angela Wren Nursing and Allied Health Center's EMS Clinical Lab.

Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville has openings in their 12 month Technical Certificate in Paramedic and Certificate of Proficiency in EMT with classes beginning January 9, 2018.  The Paramedic Program provides training and education to current EMTs in advanced pre-hospital patient care.  The curriculum includes classroom and online instruction along with clinical lab and field experiences in various healthcare and pre-hospital agencies in the region.  Graduates of the Paramedic Program are prepared to function effectively as a professional provider of advanced life support in the pre-hospital environment and are eligible to apply to take the National Registry Exam to become a Paramedic. 

The EMT course, taught by Mr. Lewis and Ms. Donna Razor, is a one semester Certificate of Proficiency course that provides training in recognizing, assessing, and managing medical emergencies of acutely ill or injured patients in a pre-hospital care setting.  The course curriculum includes classroom instruction along with outside clinical experiences.  The evening course is scheduled from 5:00 – 9:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursdays.  Graduates of the EMT course are eligible to take the National Registry Exam to become an EMT.

Both ANC Paramedic program and EMT course are approved by the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Section of Emergency Medical Services.  The Paramedic Program is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). 

Interested in applying?  Attend one of the two scheduled EMS Programs (Paramedic and EMT) Drop-In Receptions at Arkansas Northeastern College in the Paramedic Classroom/Lab, Room 118 located in the Angela Wren Nursing & Allied Health Center on  Monday, November 6, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm or Friday, November 10, 2017 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.  Enjoy tours and refreshments, academic advising, and hands on simulation in the EMS lab.  Receive Paramedic and EMT Program Information and assistance with completing ANC and EMS Program Applications.  We encourage you to take this opportunity to discuss your career opportunities in EMS at Arkansas Northeastern College. 

Interested applicants call Mr. Lynn Sikes at 870-780-1254 or the Mr. Jack Neil, Advising Specialist, at 870-838-2984.

Kagome Foods Donates $25,000 Toward ANC's New Center for Allied Technologies

Photo by Chris Thomas of Thomas Photography
Arkansas Northeastern College President Dr. James Shemwell (left front) is presented a check for $25,000 toward ANC's new Center for Allied Technologies by (L to R) Kagome President and CEO Luis DeOliveira, Karen Belk, Filler Operator, and Nita Reams, Director of Human Resources and Safety.  They are joined by other Kagome employees on the ANC Main Campus, Friday, October 20, 2017.

Arkansas Northeastern College’s Center for Allied Technologies project received another boost from local industry today as the Kagome Foods Corporation presented a check for $25,000 to ANC President Dr. James Shemwell today.

Since 1899, Kagome has been crafting healthy, delicious sauces, spreads, juices and more.  Kagome Foods, Inc. produces sauces and vegetable oil based food products primarily in food service and industrial sectors. It offers various products in portion control packages. The company is based in Osceola, Arkansas.

“We have long considered Kagome a friend of the College and greatly appreciate not only this generous gift, but the past support they have shown to us,” said ANC President Dr. James Shemwell who noted that the company contributed $10,000 in 2007 to establish a scholarship fund at ANC.

For their donation to the new facility, Kagome will have naming rights to a computer classroom. “We look forward to seeing the name ‘Kagome’ in the new Center for Allied Technologies,” added Shemwell.

Construction of ANC Center for Allied Technologies began this spring and is scheduled to be completed in time for Fall classes in August 2018.  The facility will provide students with more opportunities to learn in an atmosphere that will simulate real world work environments, where spaces and equipment are designed with the curriculum in mind. This facility will be a focal point for not only the campus, but the community as the 88,000 square foot building will boast beautiful architectural lines with the highest technological advances incorporated into the plans. 

Kagome has a positive history of working with Arkansas Northeastern College. “Our College and our community are so very fortunate to have tremendous partners like Kagome,” said Shemwell, citing a long relationship with the company that includes extensive training for Kagome employees by ANC. Shemwell also noted that Kagome’s investment marks the Center’s third corporate partner with Japanese roots, along with Nucor-Yamato Steel and DENSO.

"We are very proud to be a part of the community, we value our employees and we are very proud of the team in Osceola, where we have been for 10 years. We have a tremendous respect for the Arkansas Northeastern College who has been instrumental in training some of our employees over the years,” said Luis DeOliveira, President and CEO of Kagome. “Happy to be able to invest in such a great learning institution.”

The Center for Allied Technologies, to be located on the ANC Main Campus, will actually decrease the College’s overall facilities by 30,000 square feet by consolidating the Burdette Center, Harry L. Crisp Center, and the Aircraft Metals and Engineering Center—with an estimated costs savings for the College of approximately $100,000 a year in maintenance.  This new facility will feature a headquarters for the College’s customized training force—The Solutions Group, including general purpose classrooms, electrical classroom & lab, mechanical classroom/lab, safety classroom/lab, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Classroom & Laboratory, computer classroom, and large multi-purpose room. Additionally, a world-class welding laboratory will be available for students.

Technical-Secondary Center students from area high schools also will be served by this facility through classroom & laboratories for advanced manufacturing, welding, criminal justice, education, and construction/carpentry.  The design incorporates a computer lab for the Technical-Secondary Center. Also featured is an aircraft hangar/lab, combination non-destructive testing (NDT) & composites laboratory, and general purpose classrooms to fully accommodate ANC’s Federal Aviation Administration—certified Aviation Maintenance Program.

ANC Technical Center Hosts Young Manufacturers Academy

Arkansas Northeastern College Technical Center hosted its third Young Manufacturers Academy on October 6^th-7^th in celebration of National Manufacturing Day. Twenty-one students from four different school districts (Armorel, Blytheville, Gosnell, and Osceola) participated in the free program.

ANC worked with with local industry partners including DENSO, Tenaris, Nucor-Hickman, Nucor-Yamato, and the Osceola School District’s STEM program to give students a first-hand look at manufacturing in Mississippi County, Arkansas.

Friday, students learned about manufacturing processes through hands-on activities with industry representatives, including team-building and material sciences. They also learned about ANC’s post-secondary internship opportunities and attended the Manufacturing Day: Connecting Education to Industry luncheon and panel discussion. Panelists George Harguess of DENSO, Randy Henderson of Nucor, Luke Lindsley of Nucor-Yamato, and Lenore Trammel of Big River Steel discussed manufacturing needs and career opportunities in Mississippi County. Saturday, students toured the DENSO facility, where they discussed safety, and lean manufacturing processes. They wrapped up the 2-day camp with a Robotics tutorial and competition. The competition was led by Ben Turley of Nucor-Hickman, and was held at the Osceola High School using the OHS robotics equipment and software. Parents were invited to join students for the competition and refreshments.

The Young Manufacturers Academy helps students explore and understand the skills needed to prepare for careers in advanced manufacturing including Engineering, Computerized Machining, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, and Robotics. For more information on the Young Manufacturer’s Academy or the Pre-Mechatronics Program at the ANC Technical Center, please contact the Instructor Sally Wilson at swilson@smail.anc.edu, or the Assistant Director, Michelle Bennett, at mbennett@smail.anc.edu or 870-762-1020 ext. 1406.

For more information on ANC programs and opportunities, please visit www.anc.edu.

2017 Young Manufacturers Academy participants at DENSO. Left to right: George Harguess, Dylan Shockey, Michelle Bennett, Tanner Davis, CJ Simmons, Jhon Machado, Janiesha Doss, Kimberly Ring, Mykia Depriest, Courtney Pannell, Nathan Thompson, and Bryan Dunham.  

Osceola student Keyonce Morris testing a magnet in a material sciences experiment. 

CJ Simmons, Mykia Depriest, and Courtney Pannell work on assembling their robot for the robotics competition. 

ANC to Offer Free Bus Ride for Students

ANC to Offer FREE Bus Ride for Students

In an effort to meet the transportation needs of the people in its service district, Arkansas Northeastern College has purchased a 24-passenger, disabled-accessible bus to begin an August launch of the Opportunity Bus initiative - just in time for the start of classes for the 2017 Fall Semester.  With the help of 50% matching grant through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) SNAP E&T (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training) fund, the Opportunity Bus will operate a daily bus route through specific neighborhoods in the cities of Blytheville and Osceola, to include one ore more stops in Luxora.

While the seating on the bus is on a first-come, first-served basis, SNAP participants will be given priority.  Opportunity Bus passengers must be enrolled in one of ANC's programs or the Adult Education Program.  For assistance in enrolling in one of the these programs, contact the ANC Success Navigator, Desmond Hammett, at 870-740-0100 or dhammett@smail.anc.edu.  Financial Aid Opportunities are available. Opportunity Bus passengers ride for free, but THEY MUST PRE-REGISTER.

ANC's Office of Community Relations has established a grassroots series of designated bus stops at local churches strategically selected to assist with the recruitment and mentoring of students.  Passengers will be required to present a bus pass, obtainable and renewable in one-week intervals at the discretion of each student's Advising Specialist upon determination of satisfactory academic progress.  Administration of transportation services will occur through the Office of Community Relations.  For more information or to register to ride the bus, call 870-780-1205.

Logans Give to ANC Center for Allied Technologies

Pictured: John and Sue Logan of Blytheville present ANC President Dr. James Shemwell a check for $25,000 toward the College's new Center for Allied Technologies.

Arkansas Northeastern College’s Center for Allied Technologies just received another gift toward its new Center for Allied Technologies. Mr. and Mrs. John Logan of Blytheville have donated $25,000 to the project which broke ground in April.

The Logan’s donation will allow them naming rights to the courtyard area of the facility—the Logan Memorial Courtyard.  Mr. Logan has given this gift to honor his father, Max Logan, and other family members who served and loved the former Mississippi County Community College now Arkansas Northeastern College. Mr. Logan’s father, who passed away in 1987, was the co-chairman of the committee to pass a tax to establish the College in 1975. He was later appointed to the first Board of Trustees at the College. Mr. Logan has continued his father’s support of the College and education and has served on the Arkansas Northeastern College’s Board of Trustees and now is a member of the Arkansas Northeastern College Foundation Board of Governors.

Mr. Logan, a lifelong resident of Blytheville, has always been a community supporter. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Mississippi County Hospital System and on the Board of Southern Bancorp as well as his role with Arkansas Northeastern College.

“My family and I have always enjoyed this school,” said Logan, adding, “My father believed in giving back to the community and he instilled that in me. We thought this project would be the perfect opportunity to do so.”

 “We are so appreciative of this generous gift by the Logans,” said ANC President Dr. James Shemwell.  “Mr. Logan has served as a Trustee for our College, and he and his wife Sue have been active members of our community for many years.  We are so glad to be able to name an area on our campus after the Logan family.”

The new 88,000 square foot facility will be located on the ANC Main Campus and will actually decrease the College’s overall facilities by 30,000 square feet by consolidating the Burdette Center, Harry L. Crisp Center, and the ACME Center—with an estimated costs savings for the College of approximately $100,000 a year in maintenance.  This new facility will feature a headquarters for the College’s customized training force—The Solutions Group, including general purpose classrooms, electrical classroom & lab, mechanical classroom/lab, safety classroom/lab, HVAC classroom & lab, computer classroom, and large multi-purpose room. Additionally, a world-class welding laboratory will be available for students.

Secondary Center students from area high schools also will be served by this facility through classroom & laboratories for advanced manufacturing, welding, criminal justice, education, and construction/carpentry.  The design incorporates a computer lab for the Secondary Center. Also featured is an aircraft hangar/lab, combination non-destructive testing (NDT) & composites laboratory, and general purpose classrooms to fully accommodate ANC’s Federal Aviation Administration—certified Aviation Maintenance Program.

Though construction on the project has begun, the ANC Foundation is still raising funds toward constructing and equipping the facility. Anyone interested in contributing toward the project can contact Rachel Gifford at 870-838-2902.