Incoming WE students surprised with free gear

We are three weeks into the new semester, and the unfamiliar is being softly replaced with the comfort of routine. The routine of sojourns to the home of the College of Engineering’s welding facility on west campus is a commitment embraced by the newest welding engineering students. These bright students will become experts in the joining of conventional and advanced materials. They will become fluent in plasma and solid-state physics. And, they will proudly grace the floors of some of the most innovative engineering and manufacturing firms around the world upon graduation from The Ohio State University.

Part of the grit of a welding engineer administers to dangerous, volatile conditions. Safety measures and protective equipment are as integral to a welding engineer as circuit boards are to electrical engineers. Last week, the newest welding engineering majors were each gifted with a bundle of personal protective equipment from Lincoln Electric, a long-time partner and supporter of Ohio State’s College of Engineering. The surprise delivery occurred during the Arc Welding Skills class taught by David Phillips, Welding Engineering (WE) Undergraduate Studies Chair, and Tim Moor, EWI Senior Technician.

Elliott Ash, Lincoln Electric Applications Engineer and 2007 Welding Engineering alumnus, did the honors by outfitting each student with the gear, valued at $700 per bundle. As a former welding engineering student and current employee of a leading provider of global welding and cutting solutions, Ash appreciates the availability of protective gear, especially as a college student. He visited Ohio State’s Edison Joining Technology Center (EJTC) for the delivery on January 10 and personally visited with each student to ensure everyone’s sizes were met and questions answered. The partnerships that the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Welding Engineering have with industry enriches the learning experience beyond measure. The Welding Engineering program is grateful for the generosity and continued support of Lincoln Electric.