From the Eagle's Nest
Washington County Community College Newsletter
February 2023
Winter Twilight on Campus January 19, 2023 by B Farrar
Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Operations
A Visit to Howland Hall - 1/19/23
Lucy is working on the backhoe fixing lights, soldering wires, and checking the fuel bleeder valve.
Best thing about the program: the whole experience
Aiden and Bryan are working to break free a rusted clutch fan on this dump
truck. With the clutch fan sticking, the truck was being robbed of 150 hp.
Aiden loves the shop time he is getting in this program, and Bryon is back for his third year at WCCC after completing a Mechanical
Technology Associates degree and completing the Engine Specialist and Heavy EquipmentOperations Certificates. His third certificate will be in Heavy Equipment Maintenance.
The Front End Loader gets lots of TLC while in the shop. Matt and Eric are working on fabrication of replacement pieces being pointed out by Instructor Kevin Howland. New tires ($14,000 ), a new seat, and a stereo have been installed. The new seat is important ergonomically to prevent repetitive movement injuries in operators.
Noah and Colby are working on diagnostics to figure out why fuses are blowing. This requires thorough inspection of wiring. When breaks are suspected, it becomes necessary to make repairs with the soldering iron.
Here is an example of the one of the "To Do" lists that are developed for all the machines when they come out of the pit and return to campus in November. This bulldozer is receiving attention from several students in the Heavy Equipment Operation side of the shop under the instruction of Artie Mahar.
Skid plates are being dropped
and cleaned underneath
The starter is out and a new one
is being readied for installation.
Artie stresses with students that it is important that operators understand how to perform basic maintenance and diagnostics on machines. It becomes helpful in saving companies money and communicating ideas about what may be wrong when calling in mechanics to take care of more intensive repairs
Brent is grinding the battery box in preparation for painting.
Students get real world experience out in the field helping maintain the roads
in Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. When the machines return to campus,
it's hands on for all students to make sure the equipment is ready the following
August when a new group of students are ready to begin learning.
A Dump Truck purchased at auction that students are helping ready for use in the pit.
More lists for the excavator and loader.
Students learn how to write up work orders and track parts used just like they will when they start working in repair shops.
New
Equipment
for Training
Recruitment
for the
WCCC
Criminal
Justice
Program
Criminal Justice Students Participate in Professional Training
Four of our students participated with Washington County Sheriffs, Hancock County Sheriffs, Machias Police, Drug Enforcement Agents, and the Maine Fire Marshall Office in a Tactical Emergency Casualty Care training. The students trained alongside these officers in the tactical use of life saving techniques. The training was hosted by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The instructor was Sgt. Dale Brown from the Waldo County Sheriff's Office.
We have a great relationship with the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Machias Police Department. These partnerships allow our students to get some of the best training opportunities available.
The four second-year students who attended the training with me were Connor Cook, Tanner Rolfe, Taylor LeBlanc, and Gavin Readinger. These four students represented WCCC very well with their professionalism.
Basketball returns to WCCC after decades long hiatus on Friday, January 27, 2023
The Intro
Student Senate ran a
snack bar and took
tickets. Students, Staff
and Faculty get in
free.
The Fans
ICYMI - The starting lineups and opening of the first home game...
Your next
opportunity to
support your
Golden Eag;les
here on their
home court
will be a
tournament
WCCC
is hosting
on March 11.
Introducing another new member of the WCCC Campus Family - Liam.
Pictured here with mom, Rhiannon Bennett.
When he is awake, he looks just like dad, Aiden Francis.
Below are pictures of ResLife students taking part in an RA activity. The RAs instructed students on outdoor fire safety. The students also enjoyed roasted marshmallows and hot dogs
Congratulations to Philp Almeida for winning our cake decorating contest! GREAT JOB!
January
This is not the hidden eagle's head in this issue!
Ryan Marston
Winner
$25 Hannaford Gift Card
T
U
T
O
R
I
N
G
Heart Health Quiz Prize Drawing
In honor of American Heart Health and Nutrional Snack Food Month
Click above to take the short 7 question true/false quiz and send a picture or screenshot to bfarrar@wccc.me.edu when you get to the spot where it asks for your email to see your results (This is how you prove you have taken the quiz). You do not need to enter your name. You will already have benefitted from the info learned! Everyone participating will be entered into a drawing to win the box of snacks!
Helpful Resources
Help with the world of work!
2021-2022 SOS Emergency Fund Request
To be considered eligible for emergency aid, a student must: • Be currently enrolled; • Be in good standing; and • Demonstrate financial hardship due to an emergency situation or unanticipated and compelling circumstances that jeopardizes their ability to be successful in school. Expenses that fall within the scope of these emergency grants include, but are not limited to: • Health Care • Food Insecurity • Dependent Care • Housing • Transportation. Students must provide documentation to support request. Examples of documentation: disconnect notices, repair estimates, etc.
Click to see a comprehensive list of upcoming virtual and in-person workshops around the state.
